Summary: Nick is struggling to make it day by day. Justin is trying to survive stardom. They both live two very different lives, but when they meet on a cold winters night a friendship begins. Will there be more then friendship? Do opposites really attract?

Paring: Justin/Nick (Timbernick)

Rating: PG-13 and Up

Warning: This is slash, meaning there will be male/male sexual relations mentioned in the story. Also, this story should also get a HET warning for those of you that don't like HET content. There are other couples in this story other then Justin and Nick and a few of them happen to be male/female couples. If you don't want to read chapters with explicit HET content then go ahead and scroll down to read the EDITED chapters.

Authors Note: I am really grateful to have a great friend writing this story with me. How we have it worked out is that I write whatever Nick says, and my good friend Kris writes all of Justin's lines. If this is confusing, or if you have any questions about the format feel free to e-mail me and I'll try and help clear anything up.

Status: Incomplete

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Nick woke up around 6:30 the next morning and got out of bed and walked down to Justin's room to make sure Justin was awake.

Justin was running around his room putting last minute things together...Kelly sitting Indian style on the bed as she watched him.

"Does he always look like a chicken with his head cut off the day he leaves to go places?" Nick asked, giggling as he went to join Kelly on the bed.

Kelly managed a small smile. "Probably," she said in a voice that was scratchy from crying most of the night.

Nick gave Kelly a sympathetic smile. "What do you want for breakfast, Kel?" He asked looking at her...and then turned to his fast moving boyfriend. "Do you want coco puffs or lucky charms?"

Kelly shook her head. "I'm not hungry, thanks."

Justin waved off Nick's question with his hand as he walked into the bathroom. "I'll eat on the plane."

"Ooookaaay." Nick laughed, and shook his head. "I guess I'll go get dressed then."

Kelly just nodded...giving Nick another small smile.

Getting off the bed, Nick headed back out the door and down to his own room. He walked over to his desk where he had his clothes layed out and changed quickly and put his dirty clothes in the hamper to wash when they got home. He then went into the bathroom to brush his teeth and hair and pack up the few last minute things.

Kelly her way into Nick's room...and to his bathroom doorway. "Thanks for letting me have Justin last night."

Nick turned and smiled at Kelly as he put a few things into his bathroom case thing. "He's good at cuddling when your upset...you needed him more then I did." He said as he gently walked past her to put the case into one of his bags.

Kelly turned to follow Nick with her eyes. "Thanks, Nick. It means a lot...everything you do."

Nick smiled. "You make it sound like it's a hard thing...and a chore to be nice."

"I know it's not. I just wanted to thank you."

"You're thank you is greatly appreciated." Nick said with another smile as he walked over to give Kelly a big hug.

Kelly sighed quietly as she hugged Nick back. "I'm gonna miss you."

"I'm gunna miss you too...but we'll be back before you know it. You won't even have much of a chance to miss us." Nick whispered as he hugged her.

"Yeah...we'll see."

"Call me whenever you need to talk or just want to hear a friendly voice."

Kelly smiled and nodded as she pulled back from the hug. "Count on it."

"And I might just do the same thing." Nick smiled, looking her in the eye. "And stay out of trouble...and don't do anything that I ...umm would do." He giggled.

Kelly laughed quietly. "Got it."

"Now do you think, Justin is still running around his room like a wild man?" Nick said giggling, shaking his head. "I offered to help him pack last night...but NOO." He teased.

"He lives like this. He knows what he's doing."

Nick nodded his head. "I know...it's just kinda fun to make fun of him." He giggled.

"And easy."

"And he does look like he would be stressing to high heaven the way he's running around." Nick laughed, still picturing it. "It's cute."

"He's always cute. He can't help it," Kelly said...sitting on the edge of Nick's bed.

Nick giggled again as he zipped up his last bag. "He always says it’s a blessing...being so hot and stuff."

"Oh right...he's gifted."

"You've heard that one too?" Nick laughed.

"Many a times."

"And he IS gifted...in SO many ways."

"Tell me about it."

"Wana help me carry these downstairs?" Nick asked, with a small smile, pointing to his bags.

Kelly smiled as she got up. "A light one. I'm pregnant, remember?"

"Of course." Nick said, smiling more as he handed her a bag that just had a few things in it. "Is that okay?"

Kelly nodded as she took the bag. "I'll take another one, too."

"Okay...and this one." Nick said handing another light bag over, and then picking up the last two himself. "Okay...let's get outa here." He said, leading her out of the room and down the stairs to put the bags in the entry way.

Justin was already there with his own bags. "Car's on the way," he said as he took one of Nick's bags from him.

"Okay cool." Nick said as he let Justin take one of the bags. "I feel like I'm taking the whole house with me." He giggled.

Justin chuckled. "It's everything you brought with you from Indy...plus the stuff you've accumulated along the way."

Nick laughed and nodded. "Uh huh...well most of it anyway...I left some stuff here...like the little nicknacky things I bought and stuff."

"I'll take care of it," Kelly said quietly...folding her arms over her chest.

Nick smiled and let out a deep breath. "Oh good...nobody will take my little Statue of Liberty lighter...I feel SO much better about going on this trip now." He joked, doing his best to keep the mood light.

Kelly looked back and forth between both men. "Buy me presents?"

Justin managed a smile. "Tons."

"Millions." Nick said at the same time.

"Call me?"

"So much you'll be hangin up on me," Justin replied.

Nick giggled as he looked out the window by the door and sighed when he saw the car pulling up. "The car is here." He said turning back to face Kelly.

Kelly smiled at Nick and walked over to give him a big hug. "Take care of our boy. Make sure he eats enough and gets enough rest."

"Of course." Nick replied as he hugged her back just as tightly.

"Be good."

Nick giggled. "I'll try."

Kelly pulled away and looked at Justin...who immediately pulled her into his arms.

"I'll go start taking these out." Nick said quickly as he bent down to start taking the bags outside to give Justin and Kelly a minute alone.

"You take care of yourself," Justin said quietly...not letting Kelly go. "Eat well, sleep well...and don't stress too much or work too hard."

Kelly smiled into Justin's neck. "I know, J."

The driver helped Nick put the bags in the trunk of the car and then they both headed up to grab the last of the bags...trying to not bother Kelly and Justin.

"Call me whenever. Mrs. Winthrop has the dogs...and she knows you're alone...so call her if you need anything. Call my mom, too...you know she'll be here in a second."

"I know, Justin," Kelly said...still hugging him.

Once all the bags were in the car, Nick got in and buckled up and waited for Justin.

Justin pulled back, then reached down to rub Kelly's stomach. "By, little baby," he said quietly before leaning down to kiss her stomach...causing Kelly's eyes to fill with tears.

Nick looked out the window at the house and prayed that all of them would survive the next few weeks. He knew that since he would be with Justin that things would be better then what Kelly was going through...but at the same time he hoped things went smoothly between them...and that was important since Justin needed to be in tip top shape for the shows.

After a final hug and goodbye, Justin finally left Kelly and joined Nick in the limo. "This sucks."

"Yeah it really does." Nick admitted.

"I hope she's OK...I'm so worried about leaving her."

Nick nodded his head. "She's a big girl...she will be okay...we just have to keep thinking that...or we'll both go totally insane even before we get out of your driveway." He said with a small smile.

Justin nodded. "I know."

"How long is the flight to London?" Nick asked out of the blue...all of a sudden remembering that he had never flown that far before.

Justin shrugged. "Like...ten hours."

Nick made a face. "Oh goody."

"It's not bad."

"Keep me entertained?" Nick asked with a chuckle. "Cuz I still don't have a new diskman after you stepped on mine." He teased.

Justin chuckled. "My bad. You can use mine."

"That seems like SUCH a long time ago." Nick giggled. "At least now I'm not dropping things when I see you half naked."

"Or ALL naked."

"Eh...naked Justin...who cares." Nick giggled.

"The only thing you drop is to your knees."

"You've got it." Nick smirked.

Justin laughed before turning to look out the window.

"Only like a day or two before I don't have to be a good boy anymore." Nick giggled. "Bet will be over."

"Went by fast."

Nick nodded in agreement. "Yeah...and I actually never really even thought about it."

"Me neither. I've been too busy and tired."

"I was uhh...too busy watching you be busy and tired." Nick laughed, trying to figure out why he hadn't thought about it with all the free time he had.

Justin laughed...resting his head against the window.

Nick reached over and rubbed Justin's back soothingly.

"Now I just wanna get there and get settled."

"Me too." Nick agreed and then thought of something. "Am I bunking up with somebody...or get my own room again?" He asked, wondering if they could afford getting him is own room all the time...when all the dancers and stuff had to at least share with one other person.

"You'll have your own."

Nick nodded. "Okay, cool."

"That OK?"

Nick smiled and nodded again. "Of course...I wouldn't mind either way."

"Good."

"I should just be lucky I get to come along."

"I'm glad you're looking forward to it."

"I am...thank you for inviting me."

"You're welcome."

Nick sighed, contently and leaned back against the cool leather seats of the limo and looked up at the ceiling. It was still sometimes kinda weird to be in a situation like this...even though he was getting more and more used to it.

******@******

Nick hiked his bag up on his shoulder more as they walked down the hallway of their hotel. "LONG hallway." He laughed.

"Needed a lot of rooms."

"Makes sense." Nick giggled again, as he looked down at the key in his had. "Five-seventeen...what are you?"

"Haha." Nick laughed, he was a little loopy from sitting in the plane so long.

"Nut."

"Freak." Nick smirked as he stopped at his room.

Justin smiled. "I'll catch you later, OK? I need a nap."

Nick yawned in response. "Me too...I'll call you in a bit."

Justin nodded. "Aight," he said...then headed down to his room.

Nick watched Justin walk down the hall for a second before turning back to his door and opening it. Walking in he headed straight for the bedroom and literally threw his bags to the end of the bed as he flopped down on top of it.

******@*****

After a good few hours of sleep, Nick, still lying in bed grabbed the hotel phone and called the extension to Justin's room. Yawning he relaxed back under the covers again and waited.

Justin groaned when the phone woke him up. After cursing softly under his breath, he felt around for the phone on the bedside table...finally picking it up. "Hello...?" he grumbled into the receiver.

Nick laughed a little when he heard Justin's grumpy voice. "Somebody sounds sleepy."

"Good call," Justin mumbled through a yawn.

"It's after two in the afternoon...I thought it would be safe to call you...but I can let you get back to sleep." Nick said with a small smile.

Justin groaned. "I'm hungry."

Nick rolled his eyes and laughed. "Want me to call room service...and have them send you up something to eat?"

"Have it sent to your room. I'll come over."

"Okay...what do you feel like eating?" Nick asked, with another yawn of his own.

"Anything...surprise me. I'ma take a quick shower, then I'll be over."

"Shower...sounds like a good idea...I think I will do the same." Nick groaned as he got out of bed. "And yeah...see you in a few minutes."

"Bye," Justin said before he hung up the phone. After a long stretch, he pried himself off the bed, and made his way across his luxurious suite to the bathroom to shower.

After he hung up the phone, Nick got up and went to take a shower. Once he was finished he threw on a pair of sweats and then ordered chicken Caesar salads for both of them thinking since it was so late they could eat light and then have dinner later on.

Justin finished his shower, then threw on some sweats, a t-shirt and some flip-flops before grabbing his room key, and heading down the hall to Nick's room. "Sup, dude?" he greeted Eddie when he saw him walking toward him in the hallway.

Eddie smiled a sad smile as he passed by Justin. "Hey...just heading back to try and keep Marty company...he's like doing nothing."

Justin shook his head as he stopped in the hall. "I can't believe all the shit that's goin down with him and Kel," Justin said. He avoided details since he didn't know how much Eddie knew.

Eddie nodded his head. "Yeah I know...he told me all about it. I mean I never would of thought...that he would be...you know. And I feel for him...he's still so damn confused...and then poor Kelly too...God...don't we ever get a break anymore?"

"Especially her."

"Yeah...poor thing...I mean like the three guys she is the closest too."

Justin just nodded. He still felt horribly guilty for being one of those guys.

"But hey...You're happy right...with who your with and everything?" Eddie asked with a small smile...trying to help Justin feel better when he knew he probably felt bad for this too.

Justin shrugged and nodded at the same time. "Yeah...of course. But...I mean...I kinda hate myself for what I did to Kelly."

Eddie looked at Justin funny. "You didn't do anything to her, Man."

Justin shrugged again. "Feels like I did. Feels like I ditched her...AND my baby...to be with Nick," he said...shaking his head again. It was something he'd never admit to Nick. "And now I feel even worse cuz she turned to Marty afterward...and now THIS happened."

Eddie sighed. "I don't think SHE feels that way, Justin. She wants you to be happy...and if being with Nick is what makes you happy then that's how things should be. If you think you should be back with Kelly...then maybe you should do that."

"Sometimes I think I SHOULD be with her...sometimes I think I SHOULDN'T."

Eddie patted Justin on the back. "Just think about it, I guess...and if you ever need to talk don't hesitate to find me."

Justin nodded as he walked away from Eddie toward Nick's room. "Thanks, man. Later."

"Later." Eddie said with a small smile as he continued back down the hall towards his and Marty's room.

Justin knocked on Nick's door, and rocked on his feet a bit while he waited for an answer.

A few seconds later, Nick opened the door and smiled. "Hey...come on in...the food isn't here yet."

Justin smiled as he walked into the room. "Thanks."

"It almost seems kinda weird to be back in hotels again...now that things are different between us...and everything else." Nick said as he led Justin over to the couch to sit down while they waited for their food.

"What do you mean?" Justin asked as he dropped onto the couch.

Nick dropped onto the couch next to Justin. "I mean, hotels are where it all started. Where we started to have feelings for each other ya know...now here we are again after the fact...its kinda cool."

Justin nodded as he thought about what Nick said. "Yeah...I guess so."

Nicky says:

Nick noticed that Justin wasn't really excited about what he said and took a deep breath. He wasn't going to let things get him down. He had to stay strong and not let things bother him. "I ordered chicken Caesar salads and bread sticks for lunch...I hope that is okay."

Justin looked over at Nick and nodded again. "Yeah...sounds great. Thank you," he said with a smile.

Nick smiled back. "Okay good...cuz if you wanted something else I could call them back and change the order."

Justin shook his head. "It's fine. You know I eat pretty much anything."

"True." Nick laughed. "You aren't a picky eater like me." He said as he scooted a little closer to Justin so their thighs were touching. "Did you have a nice nap?"

"Yeah...I slept pretty well...which is good, I guess...since I hardly slept on the plane...and with the time change, and everything."

Nick nodded in agreement. "Yeah I didn't really sleep on the plain either...so the like seven hour nap was nice."

"I hope Kelly's OK at home," Justin said randomly as he scratched his head in thought.

"Me too...you can always call her." Nick said softly, slightly wondering if Justin was going to be thinking about her the whole time...and be a million miles away. He sighed and shook his head slightly...he couldn't think like that...he wont be selfish or jealous...he wont.

Justin noticed Nick shaking his head. "What?"

"I said that I wonder how she is too...and that you could always call her." Nick repeated himself, not knowing what Justin was saying what about.

"No...why are you shaking your head?"

Nick bit his lower lip and shook his head again. "I don't know...I didn't even notice I did it." He lied...knowing he couldn't bring up what was bothering him...it would just make things worse.

Justin took a deep breath and shook his own head. "OK...fine."

Nick looked over at Justin and knew that Justin knew he was lying. "I don't want to say...because it will just make things worse...and you don't need that right now." He admitted finally.

"Well...I don't want you keeping things from me."

"And I don't want to sound like a selfish prick either."

"Just tell me..." Justin said...looking over at Nick.

Nick took a deep breath. "I'm worried about her too Justin...but maybe you need to stop thinking about it so much...or you're not going to be able to concentrate on other things...like your performances and stuff. She will call us if something is really wrong...we have to trust her."

Justin took another deep breath. "I can't stop thinking about her, Nick. I love her...and I'm worried about her." Justin paused for a moment. "And she's carrying my baby."

Nick nodded his head. "I know...I'm sorry...you're right." He said looking down at his lap...a new feeling popping into his head that he didn't like there at all.

"What are you thinking?" Justin asked quietly.

"She isn't with anybody anymore." Nick said softly, not looking up.

"And...?"

"You belong with her." Nick practically whispered, trying to hold tears back as he looked up at Justin. "She needs you...the baby needs you...you belong together."

Justin was practically staring at Nick. "Are you saying you think I should be with her?" he asked quietly.

"Yes." Nick said before he got up and ran into the bathroom. He wouldn't let Justin see him cry. Sitting down on the toilet seat he finally let the tears fall. He kept telling himself he had to be strong...this was for the best...but it was still killing himself inside.

Justin took a minute to process what Nick had said before getting up and going to stand in the bathroom doorway. "Are you breaking up with me?"

Nick looked over at Justin, tears streaming down his face. "I...I don't want to...God I don't want to." He cried. "But she needs you...I'm just keeping you from having the perfect family."

"So basically...if you and I stay together...you're gonna keep thinking like this and doubting whether I wanna be with you or not."

"I want us to...to stay together." Nick whispered. "I know you do care for me...but I want you to be happy...and not have to worry about Kelly."

"I HAVE to worry about Kelly, Nick."

"I KNOW that...I meant you wouldn't have to worry about her so much if you were WITH her."

"Why not?"

"Cuz you wouldn't have to watch her fall from a break up...and stuff like that." Nick said softly, reaching up to whip away his tears. "I don't want to be selfish and take you away from her...when she needs you more then I do." He said as a new batch of tears fell from his eyes.

Justin sighed in frustration as he reached up to rub his head. "Everyone needs me."

Nick looked at Justin. "See...you don't need this. You don't need to be frustrated all the fuckin time. I'm making things worse!" He exclaimed...not angry just really sad.

"No...you're not."

"If I wasn't here you wouldn't have to choose."

"No...because I'd probably still be with her," Justin said honestly.

"Exactly." Nick sniffled. "I love you, Justin...and I want you happy."

Justin shook his head. "I don't know what's gonna make me happy right now. Everything's just so...crazy."

Nick nodded his head and then groaned as he grabbed for a piece of toilet paper. "God...I'm a real girl." He sniffled as he tried to wipe his eyes.

Justin chuckled. "Yeah, you are."

Nick laughed too and smiled slightly. "Sorry...about that."

"S'OK.”

Taking a deep breath, Nick stood up and went to the sink to wash his face off a little before pulling back and looking at Justin in the mirror. "I don't want us to break up...I just hope I'm not sounding selfish saying that."

Justin shook his head. "You're not."

Nick turned back around and walked the short distance and wrapped his arms around Justin tightly. "I would give you up if I had to...but I hope that doesn't happen." He admitted.

"I don't want that to happen, either...but you need to realize that Kelly...and our baby...are always gonna be on my mind."

Nick pulled back a little to look into Justin's eyes. "I would be angry if they weren't."

Justin smiled. "OK."

"I really am a girl in a man's body seriously." Nick giggled as he sniffled again.

Justin chuckled. "Uh huh."

"Yup my name is really Nichole...I had a sex change." Nick laughed, smiling.

"Please...don't even."

Nick made a face as he thought about that. "Good point...that is just wrong."

"That IS wrong."

"Don't worry...I'm all man."

Justin chuckled. "I know."

Nick raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah...and how do you know this?" He giggled.

"I just know."

"Good thing to know." Nick laughed as he heard somebody knock on the door. Sighing, he pulled out of Justin's arms and headed out of the bathroom to open the door. Thanking the man he brought the cart into the room.

Justin rubbed his hands together as he walked over to the table. "Let's eat."

******@******

Once Marty was asleep again, Eddie thought he would go and talk with the other end of this situation. Taking his cell phone into the living room he dialed Kelly's cell phone.

Kelly was startled awake by her ringing cell phone. As soon as she realized where she was and what was going on, she reached over to grab her phone off of Justin's nightstand. "Hello?" she said groggily.

"Hey beautiful." Eddie said in a voice that would show his smile.

Kelly smiled as she closed her eyes again. "Hey baby,” she said lazly...glancing at the clock before rolling over to hug one of Justin’s pillows. Eddie’s voice always made her smile.

"I'm sorry if I called you when you were sleeping." Eddie said softly..."I just wanted to call and see how you're doing."

Kelly groaned. "Of course I was sleeping. It's five thirty in the morning here," she said with a small laugh...avoiding Eddie's question as to how she was.

Eddie looked over at the clock and did the math in his head. "Opps...Sorry baby...You know I'm terrible at this time change stuff."

"That's OK. How was the trip? Justin left a message saying you guys got in safely, but I didn't get to talk to him."

"Long as always…but it was good. I'm glad to finally be here though. I always hated the preparation for stuff like this."

"Yeah...I hear ya," Kelly said through a small yawn.

"Marty told me about what is going on." Eddie said, thinking he should get that out in the open.

Kelly sighed quietly. "What exactly did he tell you?"

"Everything."

"And I'm being a huge bitch about everything...right?" Kelly knew Eddie always told it like it was, and would be honest with her.

"No actually I understand." Eddie answered honestly. "I understand how both of you feel actually...well not totally how he feels but I know what it feels like to be a total jackass and know I fucked up the best thing in the world."

"You do?" Kelly asked curiously...assuming he was talking about his own personal life. She and Eddie had talked about a lot of things over the years, but never too much about his love life.

Eddie nodded even though Kelly couldn't see him. "Sure I've done some pretty shitty things in the past and ruined relationships...which is why I try to stay clear of them now days."

"Which I guess I understand," Kelly said...yawning again. "But Ed...you can't avoid relationships forever...especially now that you're getting older."

"You telling me I'm old." Eddie asked, giggling.

Kelly chuckled. "You know what I mean."

Eddie took a deep breath. "I understand both your sides...but I'm really only seeing one of them. Baby, he's really beat up about this...he never meant to hurt you...I hope you know that."

Kelly took a deep breath. "Maybe not...but it DOES hurt. And I mean...it's becoming a pattern for me."

"Well...at least you never slept with Nick." Eddie laughed, not realizing what he was saying.

He was just meaning to lighten the mood.

Kelly groaned...thinking Eddie was teasing. "Don't remind me."

"Why did you wana sleep with him?" Eddie giggled.

"Eddie...I DID."

Eddie's eyes went wide. "Whoa...no shit?"

Kelly sighed. "No shit."

"Sorry, girl...I didn't mean to bring up bad memories...but I mean...he was gay before you guys right?"

"Of course he was."

"You didn't turn ANY of them gay or bi or whatever, Kel...You have to understand that. NOBODY can do that." Eddie said firmly. "Did I ever tell you that my brother Jeremy is gay?"

"No...you didn't. How long has he known?"

"It's been about a year now." Eddie said taking a deep breath. "It took the whole family some getting used to. My parents blamed themselves thinking they were sucky parents. I blamed myself thinking that I hadn't been a good enough big brother. But then we all realized that there wasn't anything we did at all.”

"He's lucky to have a family that understands. A lot of people in his position don't," Kelly said...thinking about Nick.

"Yeah...and half the time I don't even remember that he's gay. I hear a lot of people talk about their gay brother or something like that...but I mean he's still my baby brother who is going to college to be a teacher." Eddie said with a huge smile on his face. "But...my point in saying this is YOU had nothing to do with this...Marty and Justin have been Bi their whole lives."

"Maybe so. But honestly, Ed...I don't feel like that with Marty...that I TURNED him that way...because he says he's been like that for years. I'm just devastated that he never told me." Kelly paused to take a deep breath. "Justin, on the other hand...decided while he was WITH me. Well...sorta with me."

"But...what was something else that happened at the same time he figured this out?" Eddie asked.

"I don't know..."

"Nick came." Eddie said simply. "If it all comes down to who 'turned' Justin bisexual it would be Nick coming and bringing feeling he never knew he had to the surface."

"Yeah...maybe..."

"Should I go beat him up for you?" Eddie asked, giggling.

Kelly smiled a bit. "No...Justin's happy," she said softly.

Eddie sighed, he wasn't sure if Justin was happy or not. "Yeah...but he’s still very confused."

"Well yeah...but that comes with it...doesn't it?"

Eddie nodded. " Yeah it does."

Kelly took a long, deep breath. "OK...I think we should talk about something else now."

Eddie looked towards the bedroom doors when he heard a noise and sighed when he saw Marty coming out. "Yeah...hold on Kel." He put the phone down and looked at his beyond depressed best friend. "Hey, Mart...you need something?"

Marty just shook his head as he walked into the living room area and turned on the TV.

Kelly waited patiently on her end of the call...trying to get more comfortable on the bed.

Sighing, Eddie put the phone back to his ear. "Sorry, about that."

"That's OK," Kelly said...then groaned...suddenly feeling nauseous. "Hold on, Ed," she said into the phone...then dropped it onto the bed without waiting for a response. She got out of bed and ran to the bathroom just in time to throw up in the toilet.

Eddie got a worried look on his face as he waited for Kelly to come back.

Marty looked over at Eddie. "Is she okay?" He asked softly, just having a good idea he was talking to Kelly.

Eddie nodded his head. "She's fine."

Kelly returned to the phone a few minutes later. "You still there?" she asked as she curled back up on the bed.

"Yeah...I'm still here...you okay?"

"Yeah...I just got sick. No big deal."

Eddie was going to say something about how that wasn't a no big deal kind of thing...but then remembered she was pregnant so it really wasn’t. "Okay...but if that keeps up too much then it is a big deal."

Kelly chuckled. "No it's not, baby. I'm pregnant...it's called morning sickness. This is the third or forth morning in a row now."

"I meant if you're throwing up all the time during the day...like doesn't stop." Eddie laughed. "I DO know what morning sickness is."

"I know. Don't worry...I'll keep an eye on it."

"Okay good." Eddie looked over at Marty and took a deep breath. "Would you like to say hi?" He asked, knowing she would know who he was talking about.

Kelly took a deep breath. "No...thanks. I'm not ready for that. We're taking space...remember?"

"I didn't know you were taking space from your friends." Eddie said and then his voice got a little softer. "Just say Hi to him...and tell him you're okay...please. He needs to hear it."

"OK...fine. But I'm doing this for YOU. And don't go anywhere...cuz I wanna talk to you again."

Eddie sighed and handed the phone to Marty. "Say Hi to her."

Marty took the phone and put it to his ear. After clearing his throat he said, "Hi..."

"Hi."

"I know you don't want to be talking to me...so you don't have to." Marty said softly. "It was nice for Eddie to think of it but...I don't want ot push you. Have a nice day Kel." With that he handed the phone back to Eddie and turning back to watch whatever was on the TV.

Eddie sighed. "Okay...so I was wrong."

Kelly sighed. "Thanks for trying."

"I just hate to see my two best friends fighting." Eddie stated as he got up and walked with the phone into his room.

"The fight is over, Eddie. WE'RE over."

"Then why won't you talk to him?" Eddie asked, confused. "Do you mean your friendship is over too? Because I was sure you guys were friends before all of this...You've only been a couple for like two weeks."

"Of course we were friends before...and I'm not saying I wanna give that up...but right now I need space."

"Right...and good thing you've got an ocean between you."

"Yeah...it'd be hard if he was in town," Kelly admitted.

"So, you said you wanted to talk about something else...so what do you want to talk about?" Eddie asked as he sat down on his bed.

"Anything," Kelly said...rolling onto her back and resting her free hand on her stomach.

"There really isn't much to talk about. The next time I call I will at least have some gossip to talk about." Eddie laughed.

Kelly laughed quietly. "I can't wait...someone's gotta keep me posted."

Eddie laughed again. "I will make sure you know all about the Justin tour gossip."

"And to think...I used to be such a significant part of the Justin tour gossip."

"Ohh...you were because you were WITH Justin and were part of his own gossip." Eddie laughed again. "Now Justin's gossip will be really hush, hush...since only a handful of people know what he's doing. Hell people might think he's joined a cult or something cuz he's being so secretive."

"That's OK, though...he needs a little privacy."

"Hmm...maybe that's the way to go...get a boyfriend to hide out with...I might have to check into that one." Eddie teased.

Kelly groaned dramatically. "Oh please...not you too."

Eddie laughed. "Oh hell no...I'm the straight Morales son...you don't gotta worry about me with that."

Kelly laughed. "Hey...YOU'RE the one who said it."

Eddie smiled, it was good to hear her laugh. "Okay fine I will leave that kind of stuff up to the reason we I'm here...he can do that enough for the rest of us."

"Yeah...who knows what's going on behind those closed doors."

"Oh eww." Eddie laughed.

Kelly laughed again. "What? It's true."

"I will like to keep it that way."

"Scared of a little man action, Morales?"

"Petrified...I mean that's too many dicks for me." Eddie laughed.

"Eeww...Eddie!"

"Exactly my point."

Mista13181JT says:

"I'm glad you called. You're making me laugh."

"And I'm making myself picture things I REALLY don't want to picture." Eddie giggled, still trying to make Kelly laugh.

"I don't want to picture it either, baby."

Eddie sighed, "I hate to do this girl...but I should probably get going. I haven't crashed and slept yet really and I'm starting to crash. I'll call you soon okay...I promise."

"Promise?" Kelly asked...just for reassurance.

"I promise." Eddie said with a smile. "And I'm sure Justin and Nick are gunna call you soon too."

"OK...tell everybody I said hi...OK?"

"I will...and I'm sure they all say hi back." Eddie giggled.

Kelly smiled. "Alright. I love you, hun."

"Love you too, baby." With that Eddie hung up the phone and sighed. This was going to be a LONG next few weeks.

******@*****

Two days later….

"No, Mel...you gota turn and then do that step." Marty exclaimed, running a hand over his buzzed head. He wasn't in the mood to be doing this at all. He had just gotten in an hour before rehearsal so he was majorly hung over and just in a pissy mood.

Mel sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes. They were all tired and pissy, and Marty's lousy attitude was just making it worse on everyone. "Lay off, Marty...no one wants to fuckin hear it."

Marty glared at Mel. "It's my fuckin job to make sure you do it right...and you just totally screwed that up!" He yelled.

"Fuck you...I did not," Mel argued before turning and walking to the back of the stage for her water bottle.

Marty closed his eyes tightly and took deep breaths. He wanted to go back to his hotel room and crash.

Eddie walked over to where Mel was and put his hand on her back. "Hey girl...I'm sorry he's being like that."

Mel sighed as she sipped from her bottle. "Asshole," she mumbled.

Justin sighed...staring at Marty. "Marty...word?" he suggested sternly...nodding toward the side of the stage.

Grumbling under his breath, Marty practically stomped to where Justin had nodded towards.

Eddie sighed and gave Mel another pat on the back before going to grab his own water bottle.

Justin took a long, deep breath before he started speaking. "Look...I know you're upset about the whole Kelly thing, but you can't be up in here acting like this. Everyone's pissed at you cuz frankly...you're bein a prick."

Marty nodded his head. "Can we take a break...I need to try and collect myself...my head is pounding." He said softly, rubbing his head.

Justin nodded. "Yeah...take ten," he said...walking past Marty toward the front of the stage. "Take ten, ya'll," he called to the rest of the dancers and the band as he grabbed his bottle, and made his way down the stairs to the arena floor. "Hey," he said breathlessly as he dropped into the seat beside Nick in the front row.

Nick smiled as Justin flopped down next to him. "Hey...Marty being an ass still?" He asked as he took a sip of his own water bottle that he had brought just in case he got thirsty while sitting there watching.

Justin nodded. "Yeah."

Nick looked up on the stage and noticed Marty sitting at the edge away from them, not talking with anybody. "I think we should talk to him sometime soon." He said softly. "I don't mean about Kelly...cuz that is their problem...but about his feelings...because I think he's hurting more then just cuz he lost his girlfriend."

Justin nodded...also looking up at Marty. "Yeah...you're probably right."

"Cuz we both know what he's feeling." Nick said turning to look at Justin again. "You're all sweaty." He giggled, wanting to lighten the mood.

Justin laughed...looking back at Nick. "No shit."

Nick giggled again. "I think you look very sexy all sweaty." He said wiggling his eyebrows.

Justin rolled his eyes and laughed before sipping his water again.

"What are we doing tonight?" Nick asked softly as he glanced up to see if anybody was looking...and when they weren't he let his hand rest on Justin's thigh lightly.

Justin quickly pushed Nick's hand away...looking up at the stage himself. "You can't," he whispered. "Someone's always watching."

"Sorry." Nick said as he folded his hands in his lap.

"I just wanna chill tonight." Justin said...answering Nick's question. "I have a LONG day tomorrow. A day full of press conferences and radio shows...then the show at night."

Nick made a face. "Yikes...that DOES sound like a crazy day...and chilling sounds good."

Justin nodded. "Cool."

"How much longer do you have left here?" Nick asked, looking back at Marty who was now resting against a speaker looking like he was actually asleep.

Justin shrugged. "Till everything's perfect."

Nick nodded and smiled. "Okay...well I'm having fun watching."

"If you get bored, though...take off. Cuz we've been known to go all night for the final dress rehearsal if we have to."

"Okay...I will...but I'm fine for now." Nick said with another smile.

Justin smiled. "OK."

"Just hopefully you guys will have a better second half...then the first."

Justin took a deep breath as he got up and stretched. "I hope so."

Nick leaned back in his chair and propped his feet up on the chair in front of him and sighed. "Okay...I'm set now." He giggled.

Justin laughed as he headed back toward the stage. "Later."

"Later." Nick called back.

Justin looked back and forth between a few of the dancers. "We ready to get going?"

Eddie nodded but then pointed at Marty who was still off to the side. "We're ready...but is he?"

Justin sighed...rubbing his buzzed head as he walked toward Marty. "Let's go, dawg."

Shaken from his light sleep, Marty looked up at Justin with his big brown eyes and nodded. "Yeah...okay." He said softly as he got up.

"You have a lot of sleep to catch up on before this show," Justin commented before heading back to the center of the stage.

Marty nodded again. "I know...now let's do this." He said, walking off, stumbling a little because he was so tired. "Okay...let's go over Senorita again." He said to the rest of the dancers.

*******@******

Justin finally emerged from his suite's bathroom in just a pair of gym shorts. With a tired sigh and a yawn, he dropped onto the couch beside Nick. "Sorry I took so long, but I needed to soak."

Nick automatically wrapped his arm around Justin and let him rest against him. "I understand...I would be really beat after a day like that too."

"You have no idea."

"I know I don't...I may have worked two jobs seven days a week...but I wasn't moving around like that." Nick said shaking his head. "That seems like a lifetime ago...instead of a month ago."

"I know...it's weird."

Nick turned his head to look at Justin's tired face. "Baby, if you're so sleepy why don't you go to sleep? You said you had a busy day tomorrow."

"I AM sleepy...and I DO have a busy day tomorrow...but I just wanna unwind a bit before bed."

"Okay...what do you want to do, to unwind?" Nick asked, still looking at Justin.

Justin shrugged...leaning against Nick a bit more. "Talk...?"

Nick smiled and nodded. "Talking sounds good...what do you want to talk about?"

"Anything."

Nick bit his lower lip, trying to think of a good topic that wouldn't get depressing. "Ummm...tell me about your favorite things to see in London."

"Hmm...this might be tough...cuz I've never had a lot of time for sightseeing."

"Oh...okay." Nick giggled. "Ummm..."

"The River Thimes...and the bridge...is beautiful."

Nick nodded and smiled. "Yeah...I've heard that."

"There are a lot of pretty little side streets. You can find em if you just walk around."

"I'll do that soon." Nick said, wishing Justin would have a little time to do it with him.

Justin nodded against Nick's chest. "You should...and the museums...definitely."

Nick smiled and kissed the top of Justin's head. "Okay...museums and those other places...got it."

"There's an awesome Beatles museum. Of course...I don't even know if you LIKE the Beatles...but..."

That just made Nick think of something and he laughed. "You know...I know a lot of things about you like that...because of being a fan...but I'm sure there are LOT of things that you don't know about me...like what I like and dislike and stuff."

Justin thought about that...and realized that Nick was probably right. "OK...so tell me."

Nick thought for a second. "Well...you already know that my favorite food are chicken and Italian. I hate onions...if I know there is an onion in something even if its little and the thing doesn't even taste like onions I totally freak." He laughed.

Justin laughed. "OK...psycho. Go on."

"Umm...well I really like music...like anything. It would have to be really crappy for me not to like it. And I DO really like the Beatles."

"I LOVE the Beatles."

Nick smiled and nodded. "They are awesome." He giggled. "Okay....umm why don't you ask me something and I will answer it."

"I have no idea what to ask."

"I'm not sure what to say." Nick laughed. "Uhh I'm really allergic to cherries."

"Really? Hmph. I don't like em, anyway."

"I don't like them either." Nick laughed. "Obviously." He got a look of concentration on his face. "Well I really like long walks on the beach, romantic dinners, and poking dead things with a stick." He tried to say with a straight face, when really he was reciting a bumper sticker he had seen a while back and thought it was very funny.

"You're a nasty bastard," Justin said with a lazy laugh.

Nick laughed too and shook his head. "No...I would probably cry if somebody started poking dead things with a stick."

"It's gross."

"Totally and my brother loved to do shit like that. He is definitely the tough boyish boy in the family."

"Well you're kinda manly...sometimes."

Nick elbowed Justin in the side playfully. "Hey now...I'm just very sensitive."

"I know...and it's cute," Justin said...closing his eyes.

Nick giggled as he moved a hand up to run through Justin's buzzed hair. "Are you being my big sleepy boy?" He asked with a smile, thinking Justin was so cute when he was sleepy.

Justin chuckled. "What...am I FIVE?"

"Yes." Nick giggled.

"No."

"Oh...I'm sorry you're two...I forgot." Nick teased.

"Jerk."

"Freak."

"Loser."

"Meany."

Justin chuckled. "THAT was a good one."

Nick put his best pout on his face. "Hey...I'm just not a mean person...I don't know how to say mean words." He giggled.

"Liar."

"Oh so you think I'm mean?" Nick asked with a playful raise of his eyebrow.

"Totally."

"Then why in the world are you sitting here snuggling with me if I'm SO mean."

"Cuz you're comfy...and I'm too tired to move."

"Ahh...so you just snuggle up to anybody...I see how it is."

Justin chuckled quietly.

Nick smiled. "So, I should go get Eddie and tell him to snuggle with you?"

"No...you're more snuggly."

"I will try and forget that was a crack at my size...and amount of blubber." Nick laughed.

"You know that's not what I mean."

Nick smiled and pulled Justin closer to him. "I do...and I like snuggling with you too."

"Good."

"Can I sleep with you tonight?" Nick asked softly...it had been almost a week since he had even asked Justin if he could sleep with him.

"OK."

Nick smiled. "Okay."

"Ready for bed?" Justin asked with a yawn.

Nick nodded his head. "Yeah...let's go to bed."

Justin nodded, then got up and stretched with a groan.

Watching Justin stretch, Nick smiled and got up himself. Taking Justin's hand he smiled more and walked with him to the bedroom.

Justin smiled. "That bed's beautiful," he said with a laugh...letting go of Nick's hand and crawling right in.

Nick laughed. "Is that because you're so sleepy...or because you love the comforter?" He asked as he stripped down to his boxers.

"Sleepy," Justin mumbled into the pillow.

Nick smiled as he climbed into bed next to Justin and automatically spooned him from behind, wrapping his arms around his stomach.

"Mmm...this is nice."

"Yeah it is." Nick said softly as he held Justin tight. "I wish we could do this all the time." He said, hoping Justin wouldn't get upset at him for saying that.

"Maybe someday."

Hearing Justin say that made Nick smile. He was right...maybe some day. "Good night, baby...I love you." He whispered in Justin's ear as he closed his eyes.

Justin's response was a quiet groan as he almost immediately drifted off to sleep.

******@*****

Kelly looked up from the newspaper she was reading to check the time. It was just around two in the afternoon in LA, which meant it was around eleven at night in London. Figuring she wouldn't really be bothering him, she picked up her cell phone off the table and dialed Eddie's cell phone number.

Eddie was just getting out of the shower when he heard his cell phone ringing in the bedroom. Grabbing a towel he wrapped it around his waist quickly and walked to grab the phone. "Hello?"

Kelly smiled as soon as she heard Eddie's voice. "Hey. I didn't wake you, did I?"

Eddie smiled big when he heard Kelly on the other end of the phone. "Hey girl...no you didn't wake me I just got out of the shower actually."

"Rehearsal tough today?"

Eddie groaned, thinking how much a pain in the ass rehearsals had been...and because of one particular person. "Yeah...they were hell actually."

Kelly sighed. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"Yeah, well we all made it through."

"That's good to know. How's everyone? I haven't talked to anyone since you and I last talked two days ago."

"Everybody seems to be fine. Nothing major has been happening." Eddie lied a little. Not really wanting to get into how Marty was a fall down mess.

"How's Marty?" Kelly just had to ask.

Eddie sighed. "He's a mess." he admitted.

Kelly sighed again. "Why am I not surprised?"

"Because you know him as well as I do and he always gets himself into these funks." Eddie said with another sigh. "He doesn't sleep...I hear him watching TV through the night. He's drinking...and he's a bastard to everybody. It's effecting all of us."

"And it's all my fault."

"Actually...I don't think this has to do with what happened with you guys...not directly anyway." Eddie admitted. "I think now it's more the fact that he's struggling with his sexuality more then before. He really needs to talk to somebody but he wont."

"Have you tried talking to him?"

Eddie sighed again. "Yeah...he's shut everybody out...even me."

Kelly took a deep breath. "Ed...did he tell you...about the pills?"

"Pills?" Eddie asked, confused. Marty hadn't told him anything about that.

"He said he was gonna tell you..."

"A lot has happened, Kel...maybe he's forgotten." Eddie answered, not wanting to think that Marty hadn't told him on purpose. "Tell me what you mean though, Kel."

"Caffeine pills. He's addicted...and he said he was gonna tell you so you could keep an eye on him when I wasn't there."

Eddie swallowed hard, remembering back to all the times he had given his friend the pills "Oh shit...is this a new problem?" He asked, almost praying that it was....that he hadn't been feeding an addict them.

"Yes and no. He had a serious problem years ago...but then it went away. And back before Christmas...when you offered him the pills...he was feeling lousy about himself and couldn't resist taking them." Kelly paused and took a breath. "But listen, baby...don't you dare blame yourself...cuz you didn't know...and he was too weak to tell you."

Eddie took a deep breath and sighed. "God...and Kel if he promised you he wasn't going to take them anymore...then you have to just think he will still keep that promise no matter what." He said as he got up from the bed and walked into the bathroom and slowly opened his friends door to see him sitting up in bed staring off into space. Closing his eyes he closed the door again. "I don't think he's taken anything, He's definitely not hyper...he's like in a trance."

"Just...keep an eye on him if you can...please?"

"We all are, Kel. He may be pissing us off...but we're all worried about him."

"He needs to talk to someone who understands."

"I know he does." Eddie agreed.

Just then Marty walked through the bathroom and into Eddie's room. "Can I talk to her?" He said with the first small smile on his face of the day. "Please?"

Eddie sighed and nodded his head. "He wants to talk to you, Kel...can I put him on for a second at least?"

"Yeah...OK."

Eddie handed the phone to Marty.

Marty put the phone to his face and smiled even more. "Hi, Kel."

"Hey...how's it goin?"

"Okay, I guess." Marty said with a sigh.

"Eddie says you're kinda rough."

"I haven't been able to sleep." Marty admitted.

Eddie took this as his cue to walk quietly out of the room to give them a little time to talk...thinking maybe it will get Marty in a good enough frame of mind to get through tomorrow's show.

"Why not?" Kelly asked...not wanting to come out and question whether Marty was taking pills.

"Too much on my mind."

"Wanna talk about it?" Kelly asked instinctively...just being a friend.

Marty sighed as he relaxed against Eddie's bed. "I've just been thinking about everything...about my life."

"And...?"

"And I agree with you when you say life is totally fucked up."

"I meant MY life."

"Yeah...well mine is pretty fucked up too." Marty said, sounding nothing like his bubbly self.

"Maybe not...maybe things could end up being better than you ever expected. I mean...look at Justin."

"What about Justin?"

"He came to the same realization...came to terms with it...and now he's happy with Nick."

Marty sighed. "I don't want to like men like that, Kel."

"But you can't help it, Marty...it's part of who you are."

"Yeah...I guess."

"I know it's hard...but...I think the best thing for you to do right now is to think about this...seriously think about it. Because...you deserve to have exactly the thing that makes you happy...no matter what...or who...it is."

Marty smiled a little. "Thanks Kel...for being my friend."

"Always. I know you'll do the same."

"Of course...which reminds me...how are YOU?"

"I'm OK, I guess."

"Been feeling okay?"

"Most of the time. Not in the morning, though."

Marty sighed. "I'm sorry to hear that...that should pass soon though."

"We'll see."

"Well...I'm going to let you talk to Ed again. I'm going to try and get some sleep. Have a good rest of the day, Kel...and I'll talk to you later."

Eddie had just walked back into the room as Marty said his goodbyes, but he still just stood against the door, waiting till they were totally finished.

"Take care of yourself...OK?"

"I'm am Kel." Marty said softly. "I'm also keeping my promise." He said before getting up and handing Eddie the phone.

"Hey Marty," Kelly said quickly...wanting to catch him before he was gone.

Hearing, his name, Marty put the phone to his ear again. "Yeah?"

"I umm...I know you might be pissed...but I told Eddie about the pills. I just...I know you're having a tough time...so I wanted him to know what was going on so he could keep an eye on you."

Marty smiled. "It's okay. I was going to tell him...but I sort of forgot."

"OK...well...he knows."

"Bye, Kel." This time Marty really handed over the phone and headed into the bathroom.

"You got him to smile. That's progress." Eddie said as he went back to sit on his bed.

"Yeah...I guess so."

Eddie yawned as he climbed under his covers and snuggling up. "What have you been up to , today?"

Kelly looked down at the paper on the desk, and remembered her excuse for calling Eddie in the first place. "Looking for a car."

"Oh cool...what kind of car?"

"I don't know. Any advice?"

"How much do you want to pay?" Eddie asked, trying to remember about an article he read in a car magazine recently about good cars for moms.

"I'm not worried about that, really."

"Do you want a car...or an SUV or what?" Eddie asked, just trying to understand what she wanted.

"An SUV, I think...but not a huge one like all you guys drive. I was actually looking at the Lincoln Aviator."

Eddie nodded even though Kelly couldn't see him. "Yeah...that one is supposed to be really nice."

"Think so?"

"Yeah...I've heard good things about it. Plus Lincoln's are known to last a long time."

"Are they safe?"

"I will have to look that up for you...I don't really know off the top of my head."

"I can do that...don't worry about it."

Eddie smiled as he snuggled down under the covers more. "I wouldn't mind doing it, Kel."

Kelly chuckled as she got up from her seat at the desk, and went to rest on Justin's bed. "OK...if you have time."

"I'll make time."

"Thanks, hun."

"You're welcome." Eddie said with a long yawn, and laughed. "Sorry."

"Yeah, yeah...you gotta go...and I'll go back to being bored and lonely.

"Who said I was leaving?"

"I don't know. I'm sure you wanna go to bed."

"I would rather stay up all night and talk to you." Eddie giggled.

Kelly chuckled. "Why? Not like you can't get the hunnies out there."

Eddie laughed. "I probably could...but I think I'm too tired to get it up."

Kelly gasped intentionally. "YOU...? Never!"

"You have no idea what Marty put us through today it was crazy." Eddie laughed again.

Kelly sighed quietly as she pulled the comforter up over her...her mood turning again. "I have an idea..." she said quietly. "...believe me."

"Kel...what's wrong?" Eddie asked, concerned at Kelly's mood change.

"I just...I don't know. I seriously feel like it's my fault he's treating all you guys like this...because I broke up with him."

"It's a good thing you broke up with him, Kelly. I think HE is even starting to believe that. I don't think he is mad at you for it anymore." Eddie replied. "Now it's other stuff that's been messing with his head."

"I let him know he can talk to me. I mean...not that I'd necessarily be any help, but..."

Eddie smiled a little. "Kel, he needs your support as much as he needs the rest of ours. In a way he needs yours more."

"You think so?"

"I do...he really needs you as a friend. You guys were always so close. He trusts you like something crazy. I mean you WERE the first person he ever told about being bi. In reality I think that was the first time he ever even admitted it to himself."

Kelly thought about it for a second. "Maybe you're right," she said quietly...reaching for her teddy bear that was on the pillow beside her. Sometimes she felt stupid for still having it at twenty-one years old, but at lonely times like this she was glad she did.

"You didn't see the smile on his face when you were talking to him. It looked like a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders to know you still cared." Eddie said smiling.

"Of course I still care. I don't think I could stop myself even if I wanted to."

Eddie laughed. "And why would we...he's too cute to not care."

"Oh Lord...you ARE turning into one of them."

"Oh hell no." Eddie said shaking his head. "Give me pussy any day...no cock for me thank you very much." He said in a blunt like Eddie manner.

Kelly made a face. "You're nasty."

"But you love me anyway."

"Of course I do," Kelly said with a laugh.

"I think you actually like it when I'm nasty." Eddie teased.

"I am NOT that kinda girl, Eduardo. I'm a lady."

"Hmm...I'm sure I could get different stories out of three other guys." Eddie giggled, hoping she wouldn't take offence to that he was just messing around.

"Hey, now...you can't believe what any of THEM tell you."

Eddie laughed out loud. "Ohhh...now I SO gota ask them...cuz now I know it's ALL true."

"Eddie," Kelly whined.

"Or you could just tell me." Eddie smirked. "Most amazing sexual experience?" He asked, not sure where any of this was coming from.

"Oh wow...let me see..."

Eddie giggled, wondering if she would actually tell him. "I'm ALL ears."

Kelly laughed. "Well...for a while it was the time Justin and I did it in the bathroom on the bus. THAT was intense."

"I KNEW you guys did that...but never knew for sure." Eddie laughed.

Kelly laughed again. "Oh yeah...we definitely did."

"Okay if that was the best for a while...what's the best now?"

"My first time with Marty was like...totally amazing. But then...New Years Eve..."

Eddie laughed and made a face. "I don't even want to remember my New Years Eve...so tell me yours."

"It was nice. Hot, actually. We left the party just after midnight and went back to his place." Kelly paused to giggle. "We didn't even make it into the house."

"You naughty, naughty girl." Eddie laughed.

"Yeah...I know."

"I was so plastered, I don't even really remember what I did." Eddie laughed again.

"I remember what you TOLD me...if THAT helps."

Eddie laughed more. "I would rather not know."

"Probably," Kelly said...then paused before speaking again. "I know you don't want a relationship...but do you ever plan on giving up that lifestyle?"

"I've been thinking about it a lot lately, actually." Eddie admitted. "But when we are touring and stuff...it's so hard to be in a relationship...and you have to get it some how..." He trailed off and sighed. "I want to...I'm just not sure how realistic it is."

Kelly got a bit more comfortable against the pillows. "Yeah...I see your point there. I mean...maybe it was just easier for me cuz I was always a virgin, and shit."

"Yeah...that is a little different cuz you don't know what you're missing." Eddie giggled. "But once you did I'm sure you could kind of understand." He then thought of something. "This is off topic kind of...but how in the world did Nick get it up...if he's gay?"

Kelly sighed. "Don't ask."

"Okay...sorry." Eddie said softly, feeling like he hit a really bad topic.

Kelly took a deep breath. "I found out after that it was the thought that I'd been with Justin that did it for him."

Eddie's eyes went wide. "Oh shit...that is a really sucky thing for him to do."

"Yeah...but I don't think he even realized it at first."

"Yeah..." Eddie said. "How long have he and Justin been together?"

"You mean like...seeing each other...or like...together, together?"

"Both...I feel a little out of the loop."

"Well...he was first with us in Boston...and I think things started developing even then."

Eddie's eyes went wide. "Whoa...really. I knew he was here It just neve really occured to me that, that was even a possibility."

"Good...so maybe other people don't think anything, then."

"Well...now I think it's a little more obvious...at least it seems that way to me. I mean *I* did figure it out on my own." Eddie pointed out.

"How DID you, anyway?"

"Well...we both know Justin is a very privet person...likes his space...Is it really like him to have a friend with him like constantly

"That's true. I mean...Trace isn't even around that much."

"Nope, and those two are like joint at the hip." Eddie laughed. "Plus...it's just how they look at each other. It's not really obvious to people who don't know Justin...but he just treats Nick differently."

"How so?"

Eddie sighed, trying to think of what it was. "I'm not really sure what it is."

"Hmm...I don't know."

"And I mean I pretty much knew Nick was gay from the beginning..."

"He's kinda obvious sometimes."

Eddie laughed. "Oh yeah...he's overly emotional...clingy and just too sweet sometimes." He smirked. "He's a girl."

Kelly chuckled. "One might look at it like that."

"But you haven't seem my brother lately...he is a piece of work." Eddie laughed shaking his head. "He'll have to calm the gayness down if he wants to be working with elementary school kids."

"That could be too funny."

"At least Nick isn't flamboyant like him or Justin wouldn't be able to hide as well."

"No. And I don't think Justin would go for a guy like that, anyway. He's too masculine and macho."

"It's the masculine and macho guys that go for the frilly guys." Eddie pointed out.

"Not Justin. No way."

"Let's hope not." Eddie laughed. "That would just be scary."

"Hey Eddie...what did you mean when you said you've screwed up the relationships you've had?"

Eddie sighed. "I had a steady girlfriend in high school and through the first two years of college. We had just reached our five year anniversary...and I cheated on her."

"What? Why?"

"She was talking marriage...and it scared me."

"Wow. So you just like...slept with someone else?"

"Yeah...I had sex with another girl."

"How'd she find out?"

Eddie groaned, remembering how it happened. "We were living together cuz she had gotten kicked out of her dorm because of a mix up...so I said she could stay with me in my apartment...and well she just came home found me on the couch banging this 17 year old girl."

"Wow..." Kelly breathed out...awed by Eddie's story.

"Yeah...so she walked out that day...and never came back." Eddie said with a sad sigh. "She even changed schools, moving to Arizona."

"Damn."

"I didn't want commitment...but I didn't want things to end like that either."

"You're afraid of commitment, I think."

"No shit." Eddie laughed. "That's a very true statement."

"It's gonna change, though...and it's gonna happen fast for you when it happens. Like...you're gonna take some girl out one night, and just KNOW right away that you wanna be with her...and ONLY her."

Eddie sighed. "I don't doubt it...but it still scares the shit outa me."

"You'll be fine. It'll happen when it's meant to happen."

"Yeah." Eddie yawned and glanced over at the clock seeing it was a little after midnight now. "Baby, I hate to do this after we've had such a good conversation...but I'm so beat..."

Kelly smiled a bit...not wanting to be sad. "Yeah...I know."

"I'll call you after the show tomorrow. I'm sure I'll be all hyped up and awake then." Eddie said with a smile.

"Only if you have time."

"I'll make time." Eddie insisted.

"OK...I'm sure I'll be free."

"Talk to you tomorrow, Kel...Have a good rest of your day."

"Sleep tight, sweetie."

"Thanks baby...bye, bye." With that Eddie hung up the phone and sighed. Reaching over he set the phone on the night stand and then turned off the light and closed his eyes. He WAS really tired...but his mind kept going over things Kelly had said.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

Nick was already situated on Justin's bus after the concert was finished. Sitting on the couch he had a copy of Cosmo in his hand and was intently reading an article as he waited for Justin to be 'smuggled' onto the bus.

Less than a minute after he left the stage, Justin was pushed onto the bus by a few members of his security. The doors closed, Lonnie gave his signature "A-OK" slap to the side of the bus, and Justin dropped onto the couch with a groan as the bus pulled away from the arena.

Nick rested his magazine down on his lap as he looked over at Justin. "Hey there my dancing and singing fool." He giggled, leaning over to give Justin a soft kiss on the cheek.

Justin took a long deep breath. "Damn...That was SUCH a rush. It's been a while."

Nick smiled big. "You looked awesome out there. That was the first time I ever saw one of your big full blown shows."

Justin glanced over at Nick. "Thanks...too bad you didn't get to see the last song, though."

"Yeah...that kinda sucked." Nick said with a sigh but shrugged his shoulders. "But oh well I guess."

"You saw it in dress rehearsal, though."

Nick nodded. "Yup I did...so it's all good."

"Man, I'm beat."

"Then go take a shower and go to bed." Nick said, trying not to sound disapointed. He knew Justin was tired...hell he expected him to be tired with the way he danced and sang like that.

"Well...yeah. When we get to the hotel," Justin said with a laugh.

Nick laughed. "Well, yeah. You need a real shower not the five minute ones that this thing allows."

"It's not that far."

"Nope." Nick said as he turned the top of the page of his magazine over to save his spot.

"What are you reading?"

"Just a magazine." Nick said quickly trying to hide it so Justin wouldn't know what magazine it was.

"But what is it?"

Nick handed the magazine at Justin, blushing...hoping he didn't turn to the page he was reading about new relationships and sex.

Justin chuckled when he looked at the magazine cover. "Cosmo, huh?" he asked as he started flipping through the pages.

"It's the only thing that looked halfway interesting at the newsstand at the hotel." Nick replied, biting his lower lip.

Justin laughed out loud when he came to the page Nick had marked. "You were NOT reading this. 'Sex and Your New Relationship: Keeping Your Man Happy Without Giving it Up.'" he read as he wiped some sweat off his brow with his free hand.

Nick blushed bright red. "I was just flipping pages...and that's where I stopped."

"Oh come on, Nick...no need to cover up. What are you learnin from this thing?"

"I never really got into reading that one yet." Nick said, pointing at the article. "You came in."

"You didn't even start reading it?"

Nick shrugged. "Not much of it. What I actually thought was a little interesting was another small article I read before...or well something a girl wrote in...about how her and her boyfriend had fooled around a lot more before they were a couple then after they actually became one." He said quickly, hoping Justin didn't blow up at him or if he would actually get what Nick was suddenly trying to say.

Justin didn't look up from the magazine. "So basically...you're wondering why we don't fool around so much anymore?"

"A little." Nick admitted. "We don't really even kiss anymore besides pecks on the lips before bed or to say hi. Am I doing something wrong?"

"You're not doing anything wrong," Justin answered...closing the magazine and taking a deep breath. He didn't want to get mad.

Nick knew that Justin was angry and he turned to look at Justin. "I didn't bring it up to make you mad...I was just curious." He said softly.

Justin shrugged. "There's no real reason. I'm not going around THINKING that I don't wanna fool around with you," he said quietly...not wanting to be overheard by the driver.

Nick nodded his head with a small smile. "Okay...I'm sorry. I just wanted to know if there was something bothering you...so we could fix it."

Justin shook his head. "It's just...I've been so busy and tired...all I wanna do with my free time is sleep."

"Yeah I know." Nick nodded. "That is what you should do...if you're tired. You have a busy life."

Justin sighed. "Just another drawback when it comes to my career."

Nick took both of Justin's hands in his, and looked him in the eye. "Baby, I won't lie and say I don't miss being close to you like that...but you getting enough sleep so you're healthy comes first. I hope you don't think I'm ungrateful for any time you spend with me...I don't care what we do."

"Yes you do...or you wouldn't have brought it up."

"I brought it up because I was thinking back to the last time we...well fooled around...and it was before you left for California the first time. I was just thinking maybe something was bothering you."

Justin shook his head. "No."

Nick nodded his head. "Okay...good."

"I'm sorry."

"For what?" Nick asked, his thumb running gently over Justin's hand.

"For...I don't know...for depriving you."

Nick laughed a little and shook his head. "You AREN'T depriving me."

"Seems like it."

"Our relationship is a LOT more then just the physical stuff, Justin. I just wanted to make sure everything was okay...and You say it is...So now everything is alright." Nick said softly, still looking Justin in the eye...not totally believing him when he said everything was okay.

Justin nodded. "Everything IS OK."

"It doesn't have anything to do with the fact that I asked you to make love to me...back on the phone? I didn't scare you away?" Nick asked, for the first time bringing that up again...still feeling like an idiot for even saying it.

Justin shook his head. "No. I'm not gonna do what I don't wanna do either way...so..."

Nick smiled. "Good."

"There's just a lot going on in my head lately...and I'm trying to deal with a lot..."

"I know that...and I honestly didn't mean to bring something else up to make it all more confusing."

"Don't worry about it."

Nick just nodded as he relaxed back against the couch, never letting go of Justin's hands.

"I think *I* should read that article," Justin said out of the blue.

Nick giggled, and turned his head to look at Justin again. "Which one?"

"The one about pleasin your man without givin it up."

Just the idea of Justin reading an article on that, mad Nick giggle even more. "You don't have to read a girly magazine for me, baby."

"Why not? YOU were readin it."

Nick laughed. "Yeah well...I AM girly sometimes."

"True."

Nick stuck his tongue out at Justin.

"Well it's true...you said it yourself."

Nick giggled and nodded. "Yeah I know...no shame in being girly." He smiled. "But do what you want with the article...I'm not forcing you to do it."

Justin shrugged. "Maybe it has some good tips."

Nick nodded. "True it could...I never got to reading it that much."

"I'm sure I need it more than you, anyway."

"Maybe we can learn together?" Nick suggested with a small smile on his face.

Justin laughed. "You don't have to learn about this shit. You WOULD give it up."

Nick laughed and shrugged. "I suppose I would."

"You would."

Nick blushed a little. "Yeah I would." He laughed.

"So *I* need to read it so I can know how to please you without giving it up."

Nick giggled again. "Okay...if you really want to."

Justin nodded. "I will."

"Okay then." Nick smiled, his fingers still gently stroking Justin's.

Justin dropped his head back against the couch and closed his eyes...relaxing the rest of the way to the hotel.

*****@******

After drying off, Justin wrapped his towel around his waist and went to the bedroom doorway. "Nick..." he whined...looking over at his boyfriend on the couch. "...wanna come give me a massage? I ache all over," he said with a small pout.

Nick turned to look at Justin and giggled at how cute his boyfriend looked right then. "Of course." He said as he got up and walked over to Justin.

"Thank you," Justin said dramatically before going over to the bed and flopping down on his stomach with a tired groan.

Nick climbed onto the bed and moved so he was straddling Justin and sitting on his ass. Once he was comfortable he reached up and started to kneed Justin's shoulders.

Justin just groaned as he closed his eyes and buried his face in his pillow.

"What do you have to do tomorrow?" Nick asked as he continued to rub Justin's shoulders and upper back.

"A couple radio shows in the mornin," Justin mumbled into the pillow. "Show at night."

"Ahh the life of a music star." Nick giggled. "But not all of them can say they get massages from boyfriends after the show."

Justin just laughed at that.

"I'm going to see if Marty wants to go out sight seeing with me tomorrow."

"He might enjoy that. Maybe you could talk to him, too...ya know...about everything."

Nick nodded. "Yeah I was trying to think of how I should bring all that up. It's been years since I've gone through that. Do you think of a way I should do it?"

"Just start by trying to get him to talk about what's on his mind."

"Yeah." Nick agreed as he started to move his hands down to the middle of Justin's back.

"He has a lot to figure out...and I know the feeling."

"We both do." Nick said with a sigh. "It's just been a long time since I did it...and I think being as young as I was it was a little easier."

"Probably. Not to mention that he thought everything was perfect with Kelly...when maybe she's not what he really wants after all."

"Yeah...but if you think about it...Sometimes the guys that sleep around the most...are the ones who are insecure in their sexuality." Nick pointed out. "Like they keep doing it to prove a point that they can...and that each time it will get better and the feelings will go away."

"Maybe..."

"Then again I could be totally way off." Nick laughed.

"You're probably right. He's probably been in serious denial for a long time."

Nick sighed. "Poor guy...that isn't healthy."

"No...it's not.”

"Now looking back on it...were you having bisexual feelings before the last month?" Nick asked curiously.

"Yeah. I told you that, didn't I? That'd I started thinking guys were kinda good lookin a while before," Justin said as he turned his head to rest his right cheek on the pillow he was hugging under his head.

Nick shook his head. "No, you never really told me that...and Kinda good looking?" he giggled.

Justin laughed. "I didn't tell you? It was no big deal...I thought it was kinda normal."

"It is normal if you are thinking they look good in a shirt they are wearing and wondering if it would look good on you too." Nick laughed. "But if you start to wonder what they would look like without the shirt on then you gota wonder." He giggled even more.

Justin chuckled. "You're a trip."

"Glad I'm good for something." Nick joked.

"That...and massages."

"Oh right...that too." Nick laughed as he scooted back more so he was on Justin's thighs so he could rub his lower back better,

"Mmmm...feels good," Justin said lazily.

Nick smiled. "I'm glad. I haven't done this for you for a while. I think the last time was when you threw your back out."

"Yeah. Damn...let's hope THAT doesn't happen again."

"Yeah...that would totally suck." Nick sad as he pulled Justin's towl down a little more so he could get part of his back that was hiding.

"Especially with all these shows comin up."

"Just don't try and do anything too crazy on stage." Nick giggled. "I like your back...I don't want it getting hurt anymore." He said, leaning down to kiss the small of his back lightly.

Justin chuckled. "You just like the freckles...and the tattoo."

"Guilty." Nick giggled.

"No shit."

"I'm sure there are things about me that you're guilty of liking."

"Hmm...I don't know..."

"Hey!" Nick laughed as he playfully slapped Justin gently on the back.

"Your butt."

"You like my butt?" Nick asked with a raised eyebrow?

Justin laughed. "Yeah. You got a nice big round...bubble butt."

Nick rolled his eyes. "That doesn't sound like a good thing to me."

"It's a good thing to ME."

Nick giggled. "Oh?"

"I like it. It's soft, too."

"Well it likes you too."

Justin laughed again. "OK."

"It really likes it when you touch it." Nick said softly, getting goosbumps just thinking about Justin's hands on his ass.

"Yeah...cuz that's your SPOT," Justin said with a laugh.

"Really...I had no idea." Nick laughed shaking his head. "What's your spot?" He asked curiously.

"You're supposed to figure that out yourself."

Nick pouted playfully. "Awe, man...but I'm never given the chance." He laughed.

"Don't even try that shit with me, Carter."

"What?"

"That 'I never get any' shit."

"I was just teasing." Nick said softly.

"I know...I am too."

Nick laughed. "Oh...okay." He said with a smile as he continued to rub Justin's back.

"So you liked the show, huh?"

"Yeah...I really liked the show. It's kinda funny but watching you like that I sort of forget you're my boyfriend."

"I believe it."

"But I don't mean that in a bad way. It's just I get so caught up in being a huge Justin Timberlake fan and how I'm actually at one of his concerts that I doesn't occure to me that I actually spend most of my day with the man."

Justin shrugged his shoulders a bit. "That's kinda good, though...that you still have the ability to enjoy my work as a fan. It would have kinda sucked for you if knowing me took all that away."

Nick smiled. "Nope it didn't. I'm still a big fan. The only difference is I don't have to be one of the people down stairs holding signs and screaming for you to give me your autograph."

"Why not? You don't have my autograph."

"You know that is SO true." Nick laughed. "But I really would rather stay up here rubbing your back on your bed then going down their to hold a sign."

"But you could sell my autograph for thousands of dollars."

"But spending this time with you is priceless...I don't need thousands of dollars." Nick answered softly.

"You sound like that credit card commercial."

Nick swatted Justin's back playfully again. "I was being totally serious."

Justin laughed. "But still..."

"But still what?"

"You DID sound like that."

"It SO wasn't my point." Nick laughed.

"Our relationship means more to me then millions of dollars."

"Good to know. Good thing I don't have to choose, though," Justin joked.

Nick rolled his eyes. "Yeah you get both."

"Exactly."

"I wouldn't know what to do with a million dollars. I'm so used to living simply." Nick laughed.

"Yeah. It DOES take some getting used to."

"But I guess I kinda get to see what it's like...since I DO live with you." Nick pointed out.

"That's true."

Getting a little uncomfortable, Nick moved so he was sitting on Justin's ass again and reached up to rub his shoulders again.

"You should look into doing this for a living," Justin said...his voice getting a bit more lazy.

"If I did that then I wouldn't feel like doing it for you." Nick laughed.

"I'd pay you double."

"You can pay me double even if I don't do it for a living." Nick laughed again. "But you can pay me in kisses." he smirked, being a nut.

"Nah...I'll pass," Justin joked.

"Fine...I don't want your cooties either." Nick pouted playfully.

"I don't have cooties," Justin said through a yawn.

"Yes you do."

"You never seemed to mind before."

"I like your cooties." Nick giggled.

"That's gross."

Nick rolled his eyes. "I was SO not thinking of something gross...you pervert."

"I meant gross like...cooties are like...bugs, and shit."

"Oh right...like the game." Nick giggled, blushing a little.

"So who's the pervert now?"

"You wouldn't even tell me if you were thinking perverted thoughts...because you want to blame me for it all the time." Nick laughed.

"Exactly."

"You are always so mean to me." Nick sniffled dramatically. "Why do I go rubbing your back...when you're so mean."

"Cuz I'm hot."

"Yeah well I'm hot too...where's MY backrub." Nick pouted.

"Yes...you ARE hot...But I'M the sore one who works hard dancing all day."

"Yeah I know." Nick said with a smile as he continued to massage Justin's back.

"Thanks, though...it feels good."

"You're welcome."

"Where'd you learn?"

"I didn't learn it from any place." Nick laughed. "I really haven't given a back rub before you."

"So I'm special."

"Yeah you are."

"I know."

"Justin...could you please stop." Nick said softly. He didn't want to make a big deal about it...but even if Justin was joking it was bugging him.

Justin lifted his head and turned it a bit to try and look back at Nick. "Stop what? All I did was say I'm special...and I was joking."

"I know...but even if you are joking its making you sound really conceded...and I know you aren't like that." Nick said softly again. "I don't like it when you do that...because that isn't who you are...and I know people could see you joking like that...and really think you are." He sighed and shook his head. "But now you're going to be mad at me."

"Damn, Nick. I never say things like in front of anyone but you...and Kelly...cuz ya'll can take my jokes," Justin said...dropping his head back down. "Well...SHE can, anyway."

Nick groaned and moved off of Justin and lied down next to him. "I'm sorry. I just hear all the shit people say about you...and I know it's not true...but I hate to hear it." He said softly. "Please don't be mad with me...I know you were joking."

"Fine. I'm not mad...and I won't say things like that anymore."

"Why do I feel like we've gone back in time." Nick said with another groan as he turned on his back to look up at the ceiling.

"We're not. You told me how you feel, and I'm gonna respect it."

Nick turned his head to the side to look at Justin with a small smile on his face. "Thank you." He said as he sat up again.

"You're welcome," Justin said...getting up off the bed and walking over to his suitcase.

"I can still rub your back if you want." Nick said as he watched Justin go to his suitcase.

"That's OK..." Justin said...pulling some PJ pants out of his bag. "...I'ma change for bed," he said on his way to the bathroom.

Nick watched Justin leave and sat there waiting for him to come back...trying to think of ways to make this up to him.

"Are you staying?" Justin asked when he got back to the bedroom and crawled into bed.

"Not if you don't want me to."

"It's fine. But...I'm going to bed now."

Nick smiled and nodded. "Good...you need your sleep." He said softly as he did their normal night time routine and tucked Justin in before leaning down to kiss him gently on the lips.

"G'night," Justin said as he rolled over and hugged his pillow.

"Night." Nick whispered before getting off the bed and heading into the other room. Taking a deep breath he sat down at the table and started to write...

Sometimes I say things that I don't mean

I often speak without using my head

and I end up hurting you inside, instead.

I know what I said was something you struggle with

and I just made it worse instead of helping you.

I love you, baby don't ever doubt it

and I know you said you forgive me

but I can't help but feel like I hurt you still.

You're my everything, you mean more then money or gold

I never thought in a million years that you would be mine

and that maybe some day we would grow up to be gray and old.

Nobody can know about us and it's hard

We've fought and cried but kept going strong

I have a good feeling that our relationship is going to go long.

We have everything fighting against us but we will make it through

Because with all my heart, I love you.

When he was done, he folded the paper and write. "I'm sorry." On the front of it and tiptoed into Justin's room. There he sat it on the night stand right by Justin's cell phone before climbing into bed himself.

*****@*****

Once he was showered and dressed in sweats. Eddie grabbed his cell phone and dialed Kelly's number.

Kelly was startled awake by the ringing phone, and she sighed as she reached for it on the coffee table. "Hello?"

"Hey, baby." Eddie said with a smile as he flopped onto his bed.

Kelly smiled through her yawn. "Hey. How was the show?"

"Great...we all did well."

"Good for you."

"Yeah, but now I'm sore and beat." Eddie laughed.

"Shoulda brought home a lady to give you a rubdown," Kelly teased with a laugh as she rolled onto her back and pulled the blanket up over her.

"Yeah and then she would expect more that I'm too tired for." Eddie laughed again with a yawn.

"You shouldn't have called if you're to tired," Kelly said sadly.

"I'm to tired to fuck, Kel...talking and lying in bed doesn’t take to much energy."

Kelly laughed. "So I guess phone sex is out of the question," she teased playfully.

"Even that doesn't really take energy." Eddie teased right along.

Mista13181JT says:

"It takes enough."

"Have you ever done, phone sex, my Kelly Kel?" Eddie giggled.

Kelly could feel herself blushing. "Well...no..."

Eddie smiled. "Then how would you know how tired you get...you would have to experience it to understand." He said with a smirk on his face.

"Do you have a lot of experience?"

"With phone sex?"

Kelly chuckled. "Yeah. I mean...you must if you think I would have to experience it to understand."

"I've done it a few times...but It's not like I have a girlfriend that lives miles away ya know. Normally it's just with a college friend of mine." Eddie explained.

"So lemme get this straight. You have a friend you call up just for phone sex?"

Eddie laughed. "NO...just sometimes our phone calls turn into that."

Kelly laughed, too. "Well isn't THAT kinky."

"It's kinda fun." Eddie giggled.

"I guess I just don't get how it can be fun," Kelly said with a laugh. "But then again...I'm miss innocent, so..."

"Nah...you aren't innocent...just haven't had a reason to do it before." Eddie stated. "And I'm not really sure how its fun...it’s just like you said...kinky and different. It's like you're pleasuring yourself...but at the same time somebody is helping you."

Kelly shook her head with another laugh as she settled more comfortably into the couch. "Whatever. I just can't imagine it."

"Just one of those things you'll have to do to imagine it."

"I guess so."

NickyCman says:

"I could always show you." Eddie teased.

Kelly giggled. "Yeah...I'm sure YOU wouldn't have any objections to that."

Eddie laughed. "You caught me."

"You're easy to catch."

"Maybe I wanted to be caught."

"Oh really?"

"Mmm Hmm"

"Mr. Morales...if I didn't know any better, I might say you're trying to get kinky with me."

Eddie slouched down more on the bed and laughed. "What if I was?"

Kelly felt a blush heat up her face. "I'd um...be kinda surprised."

Eddie smiled, Kelly was so cute. "Crazier things HAVE happened...I do believe you and I had a hot night of our own a little while back."

Kelly chuckled. "Sure...how could I forget?"

Eddie laughed. "Well...you've had a lot better experiences since then I'm sure...so I wouldn't blame you if you forgot."

"You say it like it wasn't any good."

"You know that isn't true...It was good. I just meant that you've done a lot more since then." Eddie corrected himself.

"Well...not a LOT...exactly."

Eddie chuckled. "I don't believe that. Should I get up and go ask Justin?" He teased.

Kelly laughed. "Why? What exactly do you THINK I've done?"

"A lot more then just blowin them that's for sure."

"Well...yeah...but you KNOW that. I've told you."

"Exactly." Eddie laughed, starting to wonder how they got on this topic but he wasn't going to complain.

"You should feel special, though. You were my first kiss...my first blowjob...AND the first guy I ever let touch my boobs," Kelly said with a laugh.

Eddie laughed loud at that. "I DO feel special...but I felt bad that I wasn't giving anybody else some of your first so I left the big one up to Justin."

Kelly chuckled. "Yeah...lucky him."

"And now you're pregnant with his baby...who would of thought."

Kelly sighed quietly. "Yeah...tell me about it."

"He'll be a great daddy." Eddie said with a smile.

"Yeah...I know. It's not him I'm concerned about."

"You will be an even better mommy." Eddie said firmly.

"I really hope so, Ed."

"It's okay to be worried...and scared I'm sure all first time parents are."

"I know. Like I've been saying, I'm just lucky to have so much support...such good friends, and Justin's family...ya know?"

"Yup...and this poor kid is going to have SO many father figures cuz there is no way you're keeping me away." Eddie giggled.

Kelly laughed. "You'll make an AWESOME Uncle Eddie. I can see it now. If it's a boy, you'll be teaching him how to pick up chicks...and seduce them in Spanish."

Eddie laughed. "Now that isn't such a bad idea."

"You're crazy."

"But you know...I think Justin will be really cute with a little girl."

"You think so?"

"Uh huh." Eddie giggled. "Even though I can see him totally freaking out at first because he doesn't know what to do with a girl."

"Yeah...I think he WOULD freak out."

"How did Nick do with this news?" Eddie asked, totally forgetting about him being in the middle of it.

"OK, I guess. I mean...he's being supportive, and all. I'm pretty sure he wants to be involved...he just...doesn't wanna interfere, ya know?"

Eddie nodded. "Yeah...it's kind of cool for him though...I mean if he and Justin are still together for years to come...this is probably the closest he will come to having kids."

"Yeah...that's true," Kelly agreed. "This whole pregnancy thing's gonna be weird for me, though. I mean...I'll NEVER get a date."

"Especially with those two around." Eddie giggled. "But I'm sure you'll do fine...I mean have you ever seen the movie The Next Best Thing?"

"No."

"Well...it's about this gay guy who gets his best girl friend pregnant...and they have to deal with both of them finding boyfriends. She ends up getting married in the end."

"Wow...really?"

"Yeah...and they have hard times at first...because you know they have to deal with the little boy asking questions about his father's sexuality...and then the guy trys to get in the way of her dating the other man...but it all turns out good in the end."

"Well...let's not talk about me getting married yet...let's just talk about me getting a few dates here and there...since I AM single, now."

"Yup...you sure are." Eddie smiled, quietly wondering if he would ever have a chance.

"I mean...I doubt it'll be anything long-term. Who's gonna want me when I blow up like a balloon?" Kelly said with a slight pout.

"You'll look beautiful." Eddie said seriously.

"I suppose you're gonna be like...the fifth person to tell me that a pregnant woman is beautiful and sexy...NOT fat."

"Well the other four people were right. I think pregnant women are hot." Eddie laughed...thinking how he had actually had sex with a few pregnant women in the past.

"What? Oh God...don't tell me you have some kind of sick fetish."

"Hey! It's not sick." Eddie protested.

"Ewww...gross! You're hot for pregnant chicks!"

"I'm hot for chicks in general." Eddie laughed.

Kelly laughed. "This is true," she agreed, then paused as she got up off the couch and headed for the kitchen. "Tell me to shut up if I'm outta line, here...but...is your history pretty much as bad as Marty's?"

"If Marty brought a girl back to the hotel after going out and partying with me...then it's a good bet that I had a girl with me too."

"Oh..." Kelly replied as she reached up into a cabinet for a box of cookies.

Eddie wasn't going to mention how he hadn't even been out once since they had been in London. He would rather spend his time talking to her on the phone. "But like, Marty I'm sure....I'm not proud of it."

"No...you're right...he's not proud of it."

"I heard Nick mention he and Marty are going out tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully Marty feels he can talk some with him."

"That'd be good," Kelly said before biting into a cookie. "You guys have been in London for a few days, now. Has he...umm...been out?"

"Once...but I think he was just downstairs in the hotel lounge. He came back plastered." Eddie said sadly.

Kelly sighed. "Just keep an eye on him," she reminded Eddie again.

"I am...he's asleep right now I think. I don't hear anythin coming from his room.

"What about you?" Kelly asked...wanting to get off the Marty topic. "Been out much? Why didn't you go out now after the show?"

"I was tired...and I had an appointment with a beautiful lady."

Kelly chuckled as she reached up again to put the cookies away. "You're a dawg, Ed...you got a lady in your room while you're talking to me?"

Eddie rolled his eyes. "You SO know that isn't what I meant."

"How do *I* know? You're a whole ocean and a continent and a half away."

"There isn't anybody else here but moi."

"And Marty next door but he doesn't really count." Eddie laughed.

"So come on...why REALLY didn't you go out tonight? When we toured the US you went out every night after every show...no matter how tired you were. Last time we were in London, too," Kelly pointed ut as she made her way back to the couch.

"I told you I had an appointment with a beautiful lady."

"Come on, Eddie...you wouldn't stay in just to call me. You can call me any time. You know you'll reach me. I have no life."

"I also wanted to make sure Marty stayed in." Eddie replied which was part of the reason.

"Oh...OK. You're a good friend."

"Thank you." Eddie said through a yawn.

Kelly felt herself get sad when she heard Eddie yawn. "Gotta go?" she asked quietly. She found herself hoping not. She'd really been enjoying talking with him the last few days.

"Nah...I'm okay for a bit longer." Eddie said with a smile. "I don't want to go yet."

Kelly smiled...laying back on the couch and pulling the blanket over her again. "Good."

Eddie snuggled down under his covers more, trying to keep his eyes open for just a little longer. "I think Mel and I are going out shopping tomorrow. But I'm not sure."

"Shopping for what?"

"Nothing in particular...we're just going out and browsing."

"Sounds like fun. I used to love doing that stuff with you guys."

"We'll go out shopping when we go home." Eddie giggled.

"Who...me and you?"

Eddie yawned again. "Yeah...me and you."

"OK...it's a date."

"Good...I'll be looking forward to it."

"I already am."

Eddie was silent for a few seconds as he drifted off to sleep.

"Eddie...?" Kelly asked into the phone...having a feeling he fell asleep. Wake up, baby. I'm gonna hang up now."

Eddie jerked himself awake and groaned. "You don't have to go." He said as he tried to wake himself up.

Kelly giggled. "You're sleeping."

"I'm not." Eddie giggled still half asleep.

"Yeah you are, sweetie. Hang up...OK?"

"Remind me next time to not call you in bed." Eddie laughed. "Bye, baby."

"Love you, babe."

"Love you too." Eddie said before he hung up the phone.

Kelly hung up her phone, too, and smiled as she rolled over to go back to her nap.

******@*****

The alarm clock woke Justin up at seven, and after a few seconds of grumbling, he got up and dragged himself to the bathroom for a shower.

Nick hadn't even heard the alarm clock. He had been awake until early in the morning worrying about how things were with him and Justin. It was probably around three in the morning before he finally drifted off to sleep.

Justin finished his shower, then returned to the bedroom...thinking he'd call his mother. When he reached for his phone on the nightstand, he saw a folded piece of paper, and opened it to read it as he sat on the bed.

Sometimes I say things that I don't mean

I often speak without using my head

and I end up hurting you inside, instead.

I know what I said was something you struggle with

and I just made it worse instead of helping you.

I love you, baby don't ever doubt it

and I know you said you forgive me

but I can't help but feel like I hurt you still.

You're my everything, you mean more then money or gold

I never thought in a million years that you would be mine

and that maybe some day we would grow up to be gray and old.

Nobody can know about us and it's hard

We've fought and cried but kept going strong

I have a good feeling that our relationship is going to go long.

We have everything fighting against us but we will make it through

Because with all my heart, I love you.

Justin read Nick's poem, then sighed quietly as he folded it back up and put it back on the nightstand.

Nick whimpered slightly in his sleep and moved around a little but he still didn't wake up.

Justin turned a bit and reached his hand out to Nick's back...gently shaking him awake. "Nick..."

After whimpering again, Nick blinked his eyes open and turned his head to look at Justin. "Hi." He said in a gruff voice from sleep.

"Mornin."

Nick smiled a little. "Good morning."

Justin gave Nick a small smile. "Thanks...for the poem."

Nick blushed bright red, he had forgotten about that. "Oh...uhh...you're welcome."

"Nick..." Justin started...then paused to figure out what exactly he wanted to say.

Nick just stayed quiet...knowing Justin needed to say something.

"I'm not gonna lie...you make me mad sometimes, but you know that. I know I piss you off, too. But...it's just like...I try so hard to be myself around yu...cuz there aren't many people I can be like that with...and now you're asking me to stop that."

"I didn't ask you to stop being yourself." Nick whispered sadly. "I never should of told you to stop...it was stupid of me and I'm sorry."

Justin shrugged. "Sometimes I joke around about being a cocky bastard...cuz in a fucked up way, it helps me deal with the way some people perceive me."

Nick nodded his head. "Okay...and I don't think it's fucked up." He said softly, still feeling awful for what he said.

"And...about us having to keep things a secret...I know you hate it...but..."

"But it has to be done. I know that...I've gotten over it, Justin." Nick said with a small smile. "I know you want to be with me even though you can't shout it to the whole world."

Justin nodded. "I really do."

"Then that's all that matters to me. Now if I can just keep my big mouth shut...we'll be okay."

Justin chuckled. "Yeah...maybe."

"But then again you like my big mouth." Nick giggled, wiggling his eyebrows...alway trying to lighten the mood in some way.

"Riiiight."

"You can't say you don't cuz you would SO be lying." Nick laughed.

"I like it in some ways."

Nick smiled. "Good to know." He said as he sat up to stretch, growling as his arms stretched over his head.

Justin took that opportunity to lean down over Nick's broad torso and kiss his chin.

Nick giggled softly. "Well...Hi."

Justin chuckled. "Hello."

Nick brought his hand up to run over Justin's buzzed hair, looking up into his eyes, not saying anything.

"I'm sorry..." Justin said quietly...his eyes on Nick's. "...that I always manage to make you feel so shitty."

"I don't make you feel any better." Nick answered back just as quietly, still looking into Justin's eyes.

"I guess we still have a hard time understanding each other sometimes."

Nick nodded his head. "I think that's something that all new couples have to deal with."

"Yeah...I know," Justin said...lightly caressing Nick's cheek.

"I really want us to work." Nick said softly, still running his fingers over Justin's head.

"Me too."

"I don't care if you ever tell anybody else about us." Nick admitted. "As long as I have you."

"And you DO...so..."

"So I'm a very lucky guy." Nick said with a smile on his face as he moved his hand down to caress Justin's cheek.

Justin chuckled. "Yes you are."

Nick laughed as his other hand moved to rest on Justin's shoulders. "Yup...and I'm never letting you go."

"Well I'M pretty lucky too, ya know."

"Yeah?" Nick asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yup."

"Glad you think so." Nick said as he leaned up a little to press a soft kiss to Justin's lips.

"I really AM sorry I piss you off so much."

"You don't."

"Feels like it," Justin said...resting his head down on Nick's chest.

Nick wrapped his arms around Justin and held him close. "I think we both piss each other off a little. You're just under so much stress and stuff from being back on tour...and I'm trying to get used to not having you to myself again."

"I know...and I feel guilty...but I just can't help but come home exhausted."

Nick laughed. "As a fan...I'm glad you come home exhausted...it shows you put on a good show."

"I try my damnedest."

"And look beyond sexy doing it."

Justin laughed. "I try hard to do THAT, too."

"You don't really have to try." Nick giggled. "You're sexy with anything you do."

Justin smiled. "Thanks, baby."

Nick couldn't help but smile big when he heard Justin say that. "I like it when you call me that." He said softly into Justin's ear.

Justin laughed quietly. "I don't even notice."

"That's exactly how it is for me...and you ask me if I will ever call you, your name again." Nick laughed. "Now you get how I don't even notice that I say it."

Justin laughed again. "That's true."

"You know...I just thought of something kinda hokey...so you probably don't want to do it...but maybe we could think of some sort of hand signal or word...that we can do to each other in public...you know to remind each other how we feel for each other." Nick said softly, blushing a little cuz he knew it was a stupid idea.

Justin laughed. "That IS hokey."

Nick pouted. "Thanks a lot." He laughed.

Justin laughed again. "Well it is."

NIck giggled more and nodded. "I know it is...I'm a sap what can I say."

"You are...you're girly," Justin teased.

"And you haven't even seen me when I was REALLY girly." Nick laughed, making a face. "I'm SO glad I don't have pictures of that."

"I'm glad I didn't see it. I like you THIS way."

"I like me this way too." Nick smiled. "Even though I'm a tad girly...but I'm gay so I can pass without people thinking I'm just a strange person."

"That's true. Ya know...even if I was totally gay, I don't think I'd ever go for a feminine guy."

Nick laughed thinking of that. "Oh I can't see you doing that either."

"No way."

"Lucky for me I grew up and butched up some." Nick laughed.

"Lucky for ME."

Nick groaned thinking about how he said grew up. "Ugh...I'm almost twenty four...just one more year and I'm halfway to thirty."

"So...I'm only a year behind you."

"A year and three days." Nick giggled.

Justin laughed. "Right."

"What do you normally do for your birthday?" Nick asked, as he continued to run his hands up and down Justin's back.

Justin shrugged again Nick. "I don't know...depends on where I am."

"Where will you be?"

"I don't know. I can't tell that far."

Nick nodded as he kissed the top of Justin's head. "Yeah that's almost a month away."

"Yeah."

"You smell likes shampoo." Nick giggled, sniffing Justin's head.

Justin laughed. "I just showered."

"Hmm that's a nice mental picture. Why didn't you wake me up sooner I would of joined you." Nick teased.

Justin laughed. "I wanted to let you sleep."

"Hmm...sleep...or showering with hot sexy boyfriends...those two things don't even compare." Nick laughed.

"They do when you get as tired as me."

Nick nodded. "I know...and actually I'm glad I got to sleep more. I don't think I was asleep until after three."

"Why not?"

Nick sighed. "I was up worrying about everything.' He admitted.

"Don't worry," Justin said...kissing Nick's chest. "We're OK."

"I know...I just felt awful because first I made you think you weren't pleasing me sexually...then I go to tell you to stop joking around with me."

"It's OK."

"But it isn't." Nick said with a sigh. "I shouldn't make my boyfriend feel like that. You shouldn't feel guilty about being tired from working so hard...and sex shouldn't matter."

"But it does."

Nick sighed and nodded. "It does...you're right. But I'm not meaning to sound like a freak or a pervert or something."

"So...I was right...I should be doing more with you...sexually."

Nick shook his head and lifted Justin's head up gently to look at him. "No...You should NOT be doing anything you don't want to do."

"But...it's not fair to you."

"Screw me."

Justin chuckled. "Right...exactly. That IS what you want...isn't it?"

Nick rolled his eyes. "I SO didn't mean that." He laughed.

"Yeah you did."

Nick blushed a little and didn't deny it. "But...baby I don’t want you doing something you don't want to do. I just don't really understand why you were okay with this before...and now you aren't again."

"I never said I'm not OK with it. With...just messin around, I mean..."

"Of course...I didn't mean anymore then that."

"It's not that I'm not OK with it anymore. I'm just...so tired."

"I know." Nick said softly as he soothingly ran his hand over Justin's buzzed head again.

"It's not you."

Nick giggled softly. "Good to know."

"Just...be patient with me."

"I'm trying to...I'm sorry if it seems like I'm not." Nick whispered. "I just didn't totally understand what it was...but I understand being tired."

"Just know that it's not you, OK? Not when it comes to sex."

"What do you mean?" Nick asked, not sure what Justin meant.

"If I ever have issues with...sex, and stuff...it's not you...it's me."

Nick smiled and nodded. "Okay...and I'll try and be a good boy."

"Thank you."

"I mean I should be able to wait...I went six years without doing anything." Nick laughed.

"That's true."

"But I didn't have a boyfriend that makes me hot with anything he does."

Justin laughed. "Stop."

"What?" Nick asked, innocently.

"Not EVERYTHING I do makes you hot."

Nick thought about that for a second. "Well...I dunno about that."

"Not EVERYTHING."

"Pretty damn close." Nick laughed as he moved his hands down to rest on Justin's lower back.

Justin chuckled. "Sorry."

"You should be...damn you and your sexiness." Nick giggled.

Justin laughed, then groaned when he looked at the clock. "Damn...I gotta leave in less than ten minutes."

Nick held onto Justin tighter. "Nut uh...you're not leaving...I'm not letting you go." He teased.

Justin laughed. "I wish."

"We can cuddle tonight." Nick suggested as he moved his hands to rest at his sides.

"Possibly," Justin said...kissing Nick's cheek before getting up off him and off the bed.

Nick smiled as he sat up and stretched again. "Or I'll give you another backrub."

"That'd be nice," Justin said...rummaging through his bag for some clothes.

Nick watched Justin trying to find something to wear. "Is the concert in the same place tonight?" He asked, not really understanding.

"Yeah...we're there for a few nights...then we go to a few other arenas throughout the city."

"Wow...London sounds like the place to live if you want to see a concert." Nick giggled.

Justin chuckled as he dropped his towel and put on some boxers and jeans. "Yeah."

Nick swallowed hard when Justin dropped his towel. Clearing his throat he giggled and whistled.

Justin laughed...his back to Nick as he buttoned his jeans. "Knock it off."

"Hey...you like my ass...I like yours." Nick laughed, trying to get that image out of his head before he reacted to it.

Justin laughed again...shaking his head as he put his t-shirt on.

Nick scratched his stomach and yawned as he continued to watch Justin getting read. "Are you gone all day with the interviews?"

"I think so," Justin said...sitting on the bed to tie his sneakers.

"Okay." Nick nodded as he got on his knees and rested his chin on Justin's shoulder as he tied his shoes.

"I'll probably be back for a little while before I leave for the show, I guess."

"Okay...I'll kidnap you for a hug." Nick giggled, kissing Justin's neck gently.

Justin laughed. "OK. You goin out with Marty today?"

Nick nodded his head. "Yeah...that's the plan...I gota call him a little later."

Justin nodded. "Cool. Try and get him to talk. I'll probably call Kel later, too."

"Yeah I will try."

"Thanks."

Nick got off the bed and stood in front of Justin.

"Can I have a goodbye kiss?" He asked sweetly.

Justin smirked. "Oh, alright."

"Yippy." Nick giggled, playfully as he leaned down and pressed his lips to Justin's. His hands going to the back of his boyfriend's neck.

Justin moaned quietly as he kissed Nick back.

Nick knew they only had a few seconds so he deepened the kiss right away...really missing Justin like this...and he would take what he could get.

Justin groaned softly...his hands going up to the sides of Nick's face.

Nick moved so he was straddling Justin's legs while standing up and hungerily slid his tongue into Justin's mouth.

Justin accepted the kiss for a brief second, then pulled back with a sigh. "We shouldn't start something we can't finish."

"Yeah...you're right." Nick said with a sad smile. "I'll just have to attack you tonight for a few seconds."

Justin laughed. "Freak."

"Yup and damn proud of it." Nick giggled as he stepped back before he attacked him then and made Justin late.

Justin sighed and stood up to grab his wallet and phone. "OK...I gotta go meet Lonnie and get going."

"Alrighty...have a good day." Nick said with a smile, giggling a little at how domestic this seemed.

Justin kissed Nick's lips quickly, then headed out of the room. "Bye, babe."

"Bye, bye." Nick said as he followed Justin to the door. Once he was there he gave him one more kiss on the lips before opening the door for him. "See you a little later."

Justin nodded, then headed down the hall to his security's suite.

*****@******

Eddie laughed and playfully shoved Mel. "I do NOT snore...how would you know anyway...since when were you sleeping in my room?" He teased with a raised eyebrow.

"Eddie...are you forgetting that we just toured the US in a bus...and my bunk was RIGHT below yours?" Mel asked as she sipped her soda.

"Oh right...but still I DON'T snore!"

Mel laughed. "Yes you DO," she said...then stopped when something caught her eye in a shop window. "Ooohhh..."

"What?" asked Eddie, turning to see what Mel saw...but he didn't see anything that would make her stop like that.

Mel pointed a little pair of baby pajamas in the window. "Look how cute those are," she practically squealed.

Eddie raised an eyebrow at Mel. "You got something to tell me?"

Mel rolled her eyes. "No, jackass...I meant for Kelly. Come on...let's go in," she said...opening the door to the small store.

"Oh...I'm SO hurt...you calling me names like that." Eddie pouted as he followed Mel into the small store.

"That's not the worst I've called you," Melanie said as she started browsing all the baby stuff.

"Women in a baby shop...this is such a scary thing. Soon you're going to be asking me for my sperm so you can have one of your own." Eddie played around as he too looked through a rack.

Mel shook her head as she picked up a small teddy bear. "Nah...I wouldn't pick you," she said...managing to keep a straight face.

"Ouch...now THAT did hurt." Eddie said pretending to be hurt by the comment.

Mel laughed and shook her head. "Shut up."

Eddie giggled as he looked through the different baby clothes. "This is cute." He said holding up like a baby sweat suit thing. "Make the kid a little Eminem." He giggled.

Mista13181JT says:

Mel chuckled. "I wish we could buy something like that, but we can't until we know if it's a boy or a girl."

"True." Eddie said as he put it back. "Gota stick to unisex stuff."

"This is adorable," Mel said...still looking at the dark brown teddy bear she'd picked up.

"That is cute...i want it." Eddie said, taking it from Mel's hands and hugging it to his chest.

Mel laughed as she went back to looking through some more things. "Have you talked to her?"

"Kelly?"

Mel nodded. "Yeah. I talked to her for a few minutes yesterday, but she didn't say much about the whole Marty thing."

"Yeah...I've talked to her at least once a day since we left." Eddie said as he looked through some other baby clothes. "And yeah she has talked about Marty."

"She must be really upset."

"She is...but I think they are both slowly getting through it."

"You think they'll get back together?" Mel asked...looking over at Eddie from the rack she was browsing.

Marty shrugged his shoulders. "I really don't know...with the way things are right this second I say no. Marty doesn't need to be in a relationship right now." He said and then sighed. "Mel...what would you do if your boyfriend did what Marty did?"

Mel folded her arms over her chest as she turned to face Eddie. "I honestly have no idea. And to think...it happened to her twice...more or less."

Eddie nodded his head. "I think Marty hurt her worse then Justin though."

"Cuz he kept it from her."

"The thing with that though is that he didn't even want to admit it to himself...so in reality can you keep a secret if you tell yourself over and over again that it isn't true...that you begin to believe it?"

Melanie nodded slowly. "I see what you mean."

"He cried himself to sleep the first night we were here after we talked...and he just kept saying over and over again how he hates himself for feeling like this. It broke my heart." Eddie said with a sigh. He knew that was probably Marty's business but Mel was their friend.

Mel sighed sadly. "Poor guy. I'm sure he feels awful. He loved her so much."

Eddie nodded. "He did...I have never seen him love another person so much. He would of done anything for her."

"I'm sure he still would. But...things are probably different now."

"Yeah...I just hope he can get himself to understand that he's not terrible for how he feels."

"I'm sure he will eventually," Mel said...then took a deep breath. "Ya know...one thing Kelly DID tell me, though...was that she didn't break up with him only because he didn't tell her."

Eddie looked up from what he was looking at and looked over at Mel. "What did she say?"

"Well...she said that she thought they both needed time and space to think about things...which I'm sure is true. But...she also said that she wanted to be fair...and give him the chance to explore things."

"Which I have a good feeling she has said that to somebody else we know."

Mel just nodded.

"And she sees what happened with Justin and Nick and thinks since that turned out the way it did...that really all Marty needs is the space and the chance to figure things out."

"Yeah...but I wonder if things can ever be the way they were with her and Marty."

Eddie sighed. "I don't know...but I know they never want to lose each other as friends."

"That won't happen."

"I'm just glad that Nick has Marty for the day...maybe he can get him to understand things a little better."

Mel nodded. "I hope so," she said...turning to look at some baby pajamas. "So what about you, Ed?" she asked...lightening the air a bit. "When are YOU gonna find a woman...ONE woman?"

Eddie laughed. "What fun would that be?"

Mel laughed and rolled her eyes. "Come on...I'm serious."

Eddie sighed, he wasn't sure if he should tell Mel about his growing feelings for Kelly. "Maybe I already have." He said softly

Mel looked at Eddie with wide eyes. "Get OUT. Who?"

"Look...this is really cute." Eddie said holding up another baby outfit, trying to change the subject.

Mel nodded. "It is...let's get it," she said. "So...who is she?"

"Nobody." Eddie said softly.

Mel nodded and went back to looking through the baby clothes. She wasn't going to push him.

"Have you ever fell for your best friend before?" Eddie asked, realizing he needed to talk about this...he needed advice.

Mel shrugged. "Kinda."

"What did you do about it?"

Mel shrugged again as she turned to look at Eddie. "Nuthin, really. I mean...we slept together a few times...but...it didn't mean anything," she said almost sadly.

Eddie nodded his head. "Yeah...I've fooled around with this girl a little bit...I was her first kiss too." He said, smiling...knowing Mel would figure out who it was by that.

Melanie's mouth open and closed a few times before anything actually came out. "Wait...Kelly...?"

Eddie bit his lower lip and nodded his head.

"You're falling for KELLY?"

"You make it sound like I'm falling for my grandmother or something, Mel.”

Mel shook her head. "No...that’s not what I mean...I just...wow. I'm surprised."

Eddie sighed. “I am too actually.”

"Why?"

“Why am I surprised...or why am I falling for her?”

"Well...both."

“I’m surprised because I’m not supposed to be feeling like this for a girl who just lost her boyfriend less then a week ago. Why am I falling for her...because she is sweet, caring, beautiful...and a all around good person.”

Mel nodded slowly. "That she is."

“And I’m terrified to do anything about it.” Eddie said with a sigh.

"Cuz of Marty?"

“That...and I’m not good enough for her, Mel.”

"Why would you say something like that?"

Eddie ran a hand over his head and took a deep breath. “You know what happened the last real relationship I was in.”

Mel nodded. "Yeah...you cheated on her. But Ed...that was like...what...five years ago? You've grown up."

“If I’ve grown up so much then why do I fuck around all the time?”

Mel shrugged. "Cuz you haven't found a girl worth settling down for."

Eddie nodded as he picked up the bear again. “Yeah...you could be right.”

"Just...ya know...don't go liking guys on her, OK?"

Eddie made a face. “That is SO not happening.”

Mel laughed. "I know. So...are you really thinking of...like...pursuing this?"

“I’m not really sure...Kel...she doesn’t know how I feel.”

"Not at all?"

Eddie thought about that for a second. “That I know of...I mean I haven’t told her anything.”

"Are you going to...or are you just going to like...hint around...and let her figure it out for herself?"

“I haven’t really thought about it.” Eddie admitted as he started to look at the baby clothes again. Each one he looked at made him think of Kelly even more.

"Oh...well...maybe you shouldn't let her know if you're not sure. Cuz...I mean...SHE could end up falling for YOU, too...and if it's not really what you want, she's gonna end up getting hurt...AGAIN."

Eddie nodded his head in agreement. “Yeah...I think I will wait to make sure first. If she finds out some how before that point...then it happens.”

Mel nodded. "Yeah."

“Come on let’s go pay for this cute little dude...and see what else is down this street.” Eddie said with a smile as he carried the bear towards the cash register.

Mel followed Eddie to the counter to pay. It wasn't until they were back outside and walking down the sidewalk that she spoke again. "I broke up with Mike."

Eddie’s eyes went wide. “You what!”

Mel nodded...looking at the ground as they walked. "Yeah."

“Why?”

Melanie shrugged. "Things weren't right over Christmas...but I figured I'd give it till I got back to make any decisions. But then...in the week we were in LA, he hardly returned my calls or anything...and was being all distant...so..."

Eddie shook his head in disbelief. “That’s insane...you guys used to never shut up.”

Mel smiled sadly. "I know. But things change, I guess."

“It’s probably for the best...if he wasn’t calling you back he was probably doing things he shouldn’t have been.”

Mel nodded. "Exactly."

“You’ll find somebody MUCH better then him.” Eddie said with a smile as he wrapped his arm around Mel as they walked down the sidewalk.

Mel sighed. "Guess we're ALL kinda starting over, huh?"

“The only one of us that seems to have some what of an idea of what is going on is Justin.” Eddie laughed

Mel laughed. "Yeah...go figure."

“Do you know much about Nick?” Eddie asked. “I don’t really know anything about him...he just kinda seemed to show up.”

"Yeah...I don't know much either."

“It’s like his past is kind of a secret or something.” Eddie said. “But then again we’ve only know they were a couple for a week or so now.”

"Yeah...but he IS kinda mysterious, isn't he?"

Eddie nodded. “Yeah...I wonder if he has some really weird past or something.”

Mel shrugged. "Who knows? He seems like a nice guy, though."

“Oh and he’s just nuts about our boy.”

"That's for sure."

“It would be interesting to see them in an atmosphere where Justin can be himself. Then we could see how nuts he is for Nick.”

Mel laughed. "I'm not sure I'm ready for that."

Eddie made a face. “Now that I think about it...neither am I. Too much guy loving going on.” He then thought of something and groaned out loud. “Shit...and my brother is joining us in a week.”

"Really? THAT should be fun. Your brother's a trip."

“Yes...but I’m like going to be the only heterosexual guy in the place.” Eddie said with a fake scared look on his face.

Mel laughed. "So go out and get yourself a lady."

Eddie laughed. “I might have to do that to get away from the crazy people. We can go escape together.”

"And you can get your ass laid at the same time."

“Yeah...it has been like two weeks.” Eddie laughed.

"Really? Who was the last one?"

“This one chick on New Years.” Eddie said making a face. “I don’t think I could tell you her name.”

"Ohh...right. But hun...that was like only...a week and a half ago," Mel pointed out with a laugh.

Eddie laughed. “Really...is that all...God seems like a lifetime ago.” He joked.

"Cuz you're lacking sex right now."

“Yes...care to help me?” Eddie teased, wiggling his eyebrows.

Mel made a face. "Eww...no."

Eddie pouted. “Hey now.”

"I could never do that with you. You're like...my brother."

“Now that you mention it...that is eww.” Eddie laughed. “But Isn’t Marty like your brother too? You guys have done it.”

Mel shrugged. "It's not the same with him. I've always had a little crush on him."

“I know you have.” Eddie smirked as he looked around and smiled when he saw two people he recognized. “Hey there’s Nick and Marty...wana go say Hi?” He asked pointing across the street to where they were standing in line for coffee.

Mel looked across the street and nodded. "Sure."

Taking Mel’s hand, Eddie looked both ways and they crossed the street.

Nick and Marty had just gotten their coffee and hot chocolate and were just about sit down when Eddie and Mel came up to them.

"Hello boys," Mel said brightly.

“Hola.” Eddie laughed.

Marty turned and smiled big. “Hey guys...what are you two up to?”

Nick laughed. “Hey you guys.”

"Shopping," Mel said...holding up the bag from the baby shop. "We bought a teddy bear for the baby."

Marty smiled a bittersweet smile. “That’s really cool...You’ll have to show it to Justin later.”

“You guys wana join us for coffee?” Nick asked pointing to the two empty chairs at the table.

Eddie looked at Mel. “Do you wana?”

Mel nodded. "Sure...why not?" she said...taking one of the seats.

Eddie sat down at the other empty seat.

"What are you two up to?" Mel asked as she crossed her legs under the table.

“Nick got his ears pierced again.” Marty laughed pointing at Nick’s ears.

Nick laughed and nodded. “Yeah...I had them done a long time ago...and they got infected…so I had to let them close up.”

Eddie raised an eyebrow. “So you just all of a sudden wanted to get it done?”

Nick nodded. “Kinda...we were walking past this tattoo place...and I almost wanted to get another tattoo but I changed my mind and did the earrings instead.”

"I wanna get a tattoo," Me said thoughtfully. "Me and Kel were always supposed to go together, but we never did."

All three guys turned to look at Mel. “Where do you wana get one?” Marty was the one to ask.

Mel shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe on my hip, or something."

Marty and Eddie nodded in approval.

"What do YOU think, Nick?" Mel asked.

Nick was shaken from his thoughts and looked up at Mel. “Huh?”

Eddie laughed and rolled his eyes and mumbled something to Marty about being blonde.

Mel laughed. "You guys are mean. There's NOTHING wrong with blondes."

“Eeek...we’re being ganged up on, Mart.” Eddie giggled.

Marty laughed too, but he still didn’t sound like the old Marty.

Nick looked at Mel. “I’m sorry...I really didn’t hear what you said.”

Mel laughed again. "No big deal, babe."

Nick flashed Mel his 100 watt smile before taking a sip of his mocha.

Marty laughed at the smile Nick gave Mel. “Too bad he’s not straight...you could get smiled to like that all the time.”

Mel rolled her eyes. "Shut up."

“Shut up.” Nick said at the same time and laughed.

Eddie giggled. “I’m going to go get myself a coffee...do you want anything, Mel?” He asked as he stood up.

"No thanks...I still have my soda."

“Okay.” With that Eddie got up and headed towards the coffee shop.

Nick yawned as he took another sip of his coffee.

"Why so tired, Nick?" Mel asked. "Taking London by storm?"

Nick laughed and shook his head. “Nah...I just didn’t fall asleep until three something.”

Marty was in his own world for the time being that he wasn’t paying much attention to their conversation.

Mel glanced at Marty as she sipped her Diet Coke. "You alright, Marty?"

Marty nodded, but he still didn’t look up from his hot chocolate.

"What are you doing after the show tonight? Wanna hang out?" Mel asked...trying to cheer her friend up.

“I don’t have anything planned.” Marty replied.

Mel nodded. "Well...let me know if you wanna grab a drink, or something."

Marty smiled a little and nodded back. “Okay...I will get back to you.”

Nick smiled sadly at Mel and mouthed. “He’s been like that all day.”

Mel just nodded knowingly.

Eddie came back over with a huge coffee drink in his hand and sat back down. “I’m So gunna have to pee after this.” he chuckled.

Mel rolled her eyes. "Thanks for the info."

Nick giggled as he took a sip of his own coffee, hoping it helped him stay awake. “I know for a fact I’m going to sleep when Justin does tonight.” He said with another yawn.

Mel wiggled her eyebrows. "Riiiiight."

Nick rolled his eyes at Mel. “How do you know we do shit like that...we’re good boys.”

Eddie snorted, almost spitting his drink out everywhere.

Marty giggled shaking his head at his crazy friend.

Mel laughed. "OK Nick...I believe you."

Nick giggled as he took another sip of his drink. “Or at least Justin is a good boy.”

Eddie laughed again. “Why do I find THAT hard to believe.”

“Not all guys are sex freaks like you.” Marty pointed out.

Eddie stuck his tongue out at Marty.

"You're ALL sex freaks...OK?" Mel interjected.

“And your miss innocent?” Eddie asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Maybe."

It was Marty’s turn to almost spit out his hot chocolate as he laughed.

Nick looked back and forth between all the friends. “You guys seriously have problems keeping your drinks in your mouths.”

"And their dicks in their pants," Mel added with a cocky smile.

Eddie and Marty both flipped Mel off at the same time.

Nick busted up laughing, shaking his head. “Oh wow...too much.”

Mel shurgged with a chuckle. "Can't blame me for tellin the truth."

“I can so keep my dick in my pants thank you very much.” Eddie laughed.

Mel laughed and rolled her eyes.

“Me too.” Marty said giggling.

Nick laughed more, shaking his head. “At least *I* can.”

"Too bad for Justin," Mel said with a laugh.

“Oh...it can come out in that case.” Nick smirked.

“AHHH TMI!” Eddie shrieked, covering his ears.

Mel laughed out loud.

Marty rolled his eyes and took another drink of his hot chocolate. “You guys are insane.”

"And you all need to get laid," Mel said seriously.

“Hey...I already said how I could fix that problem.” Eddie said, batting his eyelashes at Mel.

“I could help Nick out...but I think Justin would kill me.” Marty said only half joking.

Nick laughed uneasily.

Mel laughed and nodded. "He'd fuckin have your head, brother."

“Yes, and it’s up to him which head.” Eddie snickered.

Marty smacked Eddie upside the head.

Mel laughed as she got up. "I'm going to the bathroom," she said...then walked away from the table.

“She left me alone with you crazy people.” Nick said, with a freaked out look on his face.

Eddie looked at Nick with scary eyes. “Yes...be very, very afraid Nick.” He laughed.

Marty looked at his friend with a raised eyebrow. “How many shots are in that thing?”

“Five.” Eddie giggled again.

“Oh dear Lord save me.” Nick laughed, shaking his head.

"God, Ed...You're going to be bouncing off the walls...poor Mel." Marty laughed.

"Better her then us." Nick snickered.

Eddie shoved Marty and then Nick. "Hey now...you guys are mean."

Nick was just about to comment on that when his cell phone started to ring in his pocket. Taking it out he looked down and noticed it was Justin's number. "I'll be back guys." He said, getting up and going to stand against the building as he answered it. "Hey."

"Hey," Justin responded on the other end of the call. "What's up?"

"I'm having coffee with, Marty, Mel, and Eddie." Nick laughed. "Eddie just had a like quadruple shot latte and is going insane."

Justin laughed. "Damn...he's hyper enough as it is."

"Tell me about it." Nick laughed again. "How about you...how are the interviews and such going?"

Justin sighed dramatically as he relaxed in the limo. "Same old shit."

"I'm sorry, baby...I wish you could be here with us." Nick said with a sigh of his own as he sat down at another table away from everybody else.

"It's OK. As long as I get this stuff done early on the tour I'll have more free time later."

"Yeah...and I'm sure we can all get out and have fun then." Nick said with a smile. "Ohh...I got something done today...should I tell you or make you figure it out later?"

"Got something done? What does THAT mean?"

Nick giggled. "I can't answer that without telling you...so if you want me to tell you now I will...or you can wait until you see me."

"Tell me," Justin said...not thinking he could deal with the anticipation.

"It's not really a big deal...but I got my ears pierced again. I had them done like 5 years ago by this really weird guy and they ended up infected so I had to have them close up...so I got them done again today when Marty and I were walking past this tattoo/peircing place. I was going to get a tattoo but changed my mind." Nick rambled.

"That's cool," Justin said as he turned to look out the car window. "Why not the tattoo?"

Nick shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno...I guess I wasn't really in the mood to sit in a chair and get it done...and I don't really know where I would want one."

"So did it hurt...the ears?"

"A little bit I guess...they kinda sting." Nick admitted as his left hand reached up to touch his left ear.

"That'll go away, though. What kind of earrings did you get?"

"Just some silver balls...until I can change them and stuff, ya know."

"Yeah. That's cool, though. Did Marty do anything?"

"No...he sat and watched." Nick sighed. "He's still been so down. The first time I really saw him smile was a few minutes ago."

"Has he talked about anything at all?"

"Yeah...we talked and pretty much he told me he hates the way he feels and he wished he could make it go away." Nick replied with a sigh. "But then he goes on to making stupid sexual comment's towards me a few minutes ago."

Justin sighed. "I'm sure he didn't mean anything personal by it. I mean...he's such a sexual person...and a jokester...so..."

"I know...I wasn't offended by it any...just a little shocked is all." Nick answered honestly. "I'm just really worried about him. I tried to help him understand that what he's feeling isn't disgusting...but he doesn't believe me."

"I know...but I can totally understand where he's coming from, though."

"I know...I can too...it takes time. It would just be a lot easier for him if he hadn't just gone through a break up too...he's so vulnerable."

Justin took a deep breath. "Do you get the hint that he and Kelly might be getting back together?"

Nick took a deep breath of his own. "I really don't know...from what I gather she is once again giving the guy she loves space...to figure this out."

"Yeah. I talked to her a little while ago, and that's the impression I got, too. I'm gettin kinda worried about her, too. When she called me it was like...two thirty in the morning in LA. She's not sleeping well."

Nick sighed. "Marty told me he hasn't been sleeping either...and that he's been staying really quiet so Eddie thinks he is."

"She's just so worried about everything. About Marty...about Mel cuz she just broke up with her boyfriend, too...about me and you and wanting US to be happy." Justin paused and sighed quietly. "Girl needs to start worrying about herself and that baby."

"I agree...cuz everything will be okay. Marty will get through his problems just like we did. Mel...it's tough but she will move on...and WE'RE doing fine." Nick sighed. "I still think she should be here with all of us. She has NOBODY to make sure she's okay...I mean there is only so much we can get from over the phone."

"I know. I mean...Trace promised me he'd keep an eye on her, and everything...but...still."

"Yeah...it's better then nothing...but it's still not the same."

"I know."

"I'm still sorry I made it sound like I didn't want you to care for her." Nick said softly. "She means a lot to both of us."

"I know. Don't worry about it. I know it's a hard situation for you."

"Yeah...it is but I'll get used to it. It will just be fun to try and explain who I am when the kid gets older." Nick said, but then quickly fixed that. "If we are together by than, that is."

"Well even if we're not together...I'd like to think you'd still be a part of my life in some way. And of Kelly's...and our baby's."

Hearing Justin say that made Nick smile big. "Well...I will still probably be working of you...so I suppose I will stick around...even though you people are a little strange." He teased.

Justin laughed. "That we are."

Nick laughed and then groaned when he looked over at the group again. "We are SO never giving Eddie coffee again."

Justin laughed, too. "I LOVE Eddie. He's such a great guy...and funny as shit."

"Yes coffee just flew out his nose." Nick busted up laughing.

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah...Marty must of actually said something very funny." Nick giggled, watching Eddie try to clean his face up. "That has gotta hurt."

Justin laughed...then cleared his throat before speaking. "He's been talking to Kelly a lot, ya know. Eddie, I mean. She mentioned it on the phone. Since she's been having a hard time getting a hold of me...and isn't really talking to Marty all that much...she's been calling HIM. And HE'S been calling HER, too."

Nick raised his eyebrow in Eddie's general direction. "That IS interesting."

"Ya think?"

"I don't know...has he ever shown any interest in her?"

Justin shrugged. "Not recently that I know of. I mean...he WAS her first kiss back when she was sixteen when they were all dancing in Canada. And I know they hooked up a few times early on in the tour...and I think back on Janet's tour, too. But I haven't heard of anything going on between them in a LONG time. They're close friends...and he's always been like a big brother to her." He paused to take a breath. "But then again, that's how things were with her and Marty, too...so ya never know, I guess."

Nick nodded his head, still watching Eddie a little bit. "Yeah...I don't know...I will play Mr. spy and try and figure something out." He giggled.

Justin laughed. "Don't get caught. He'll be pissed."

"Eh...no loss there." Nick giggled, jokingly.

"Hey...that's my friend you're talkin bout, boy."

Nick smiled, happy that he and Justin were back to being able to joke around with each other again. "I would like to think he's mine too."

"Maybe not if you piss him off. Watch out. He's got that fiery Latin side."

"Hmmm I always did like Latino guys." Nick laughed. "Too bad he doesn't swing my way."

Justin laughed out loud. "He DEFINITELY doesn't swing that way."

Nick laughed more. "Yeah...and I kinda have my heart set on somebody else anyway."

"Good to know."

"I never said it was you." Nick teased, smirking to nobody in particular.

"Oh...so then Marty had a reason to be makin comments at you."

Nick laughed and shook his head like crazy. "Sorry...he's sweet but...no."

"And I heard Ed's gay brother's comin out to hang with us for a few days."

"Ohh Latin and gay...hmmm."

Justin laughed. "Yeah."

"Nah...I'll stick with blonde, blue eyed southern boys." Nick giggled.

"Good call."

"Yeah cuz I already got one."

"You just lucked out then, didn't you?"

Nick sighed contently a smile on his face. "Fate was really going my way that day you came into the pub. I never in a million years expected it."

Justin laughed. "YOU never expected it?"

Nick giggled. "Hey I was a happy man having TALKED to you."

"I was happy that night, too...to just get away from the world for a while."

"Yeah and ended up with this freak at a strange hole in the wall pub." Nick laughed. "And less then two months later we're goin out...dang."

"Go figure."

"I can't even say I've had wild dreams about this." Nick stated and then thought about it before laughing again. "Or well...not exactly like this."

"What do you mean?"

"I never in a million years would of thought I would end up TOGETHER with you. But I mean I've had dreams over the years about like you know meeting you backstage at a concert and things happen." Nick said.

"Oh...porn dreams?"

Nick's faced headed up, thinking about a few of them. "Uhh...maybe..."

"I know the truth, Carter," Justin said with a laugh. "Hang on," he quickly said into the phone before covering the mouthpiece to give the driver some instructions over the intercom.

"Hey, Nick...I need to get goin."

Nick laughed. "Okay...but remember I'm kidnapping you tonight."

Justin laughed. "Sure...if I'm awake."

"I'll still kidnap you if you're not awake and put you in bed and tuck you in." Nick said with a smile.

Justin laughed. "OK...and incase I don't see you, enjoy the show."

Nick giggled. "Pretty soon I'm going to be able to point out if you guys mess up."

"Yeah...well...don't, OK?"

"I wasn't planning on it...See ya tonight and good luck with the rest of your interviews."

"Thanks...Bye," Justin said before hanging up his phone and getting out of the limo.

Nick hung up his phone and slipped it back in his pocket before going back to join the rest of the group.

*****@*****

Once he was changed and stretched out some, Eddie picked up his cell phone and dialed Kelly's phone number...wanting to talk to her a little before they went on stage since he had told Marty and Mel that he would go out with them that night...and he knew he needed to get out for at least a little while.

Kelly's phone started ringing as soon as she'd stepped in from the garage. She pulled the phone out of her small purse before dropping the bag on the kitchen counter on her way into the enormous family room. She flipped it open and answered it without even checking the caller ID. "Hello?" she greeted as she dropped into a large easy chair.

"Hey sexy." Eddie said in a deep voice.

Kelly didn't recognize the deep voice at first. "Who IS this?"

Eddie laughed. "I'm hurt, Kel...you didn't even recognize me." He said in his normal voice.

Kelly chuckled...a bit relieved when she realized it was Eddie. "Damn, Ed. I thought it was some pervert calling me." She stopped to laugh again. "Oh wait...it IS."

"Ha ha...at least you KNOW this pervert." Eddie chuckled as he leaned back against the wall. "What's up?"

"Nothing," Kelly said as she pulled her legs up onto the chair. "I just got back from hanging out with my friends at Home Depot."

"You have friends at Home Depot?" Eddie asked with a raised eyebrow.

Kelly laughed. "Not really. I was just there for the past two hours putting my paint and floor orders in."

Eddie laughed. "Oh...doesn't THAT sound exciting."

"Well...it IS in a way. "My walls and floors will all be done in two days."

"Wow...they work quick." Eddie said as he looked around the room at everybody getting warming up.

"They do when you pay them the right kind of money," Kelly said...then sighed quietly. "I just...I need it to get done. I need my own place. I can't be staying here with Justin."

"I'm sure he and Nick wouldn't mind...I mean Hell they have enough space."

"I know...but still. It wouldn't be healthy for any of us."

Eddie nodded. "True."

"How long do you have to talk?" Kelly asked Eddie as she sank down in the chair...hugging her knees up to her chest. She was already finding herself not wanting him to hang up, and they'd only just gotten on the phone.

Eddie glanced down at his watch and sighed. "I've got about ten minutes before I need to go and warm up with everybody else. I wanted to call and talk for at least a few minutes cuz I was talked into going out tonight." He admitted softly...almost feeling like he was doing something wrong.

"Oh...well...that's good, right? I mean...seems like you haven't hung out much since you guys have been over there."

"No, not tonight...but Mel and I went shopping today. We met up with Marty and Nick and ended up hanging with them for the rest of the afternoon."

"That sounds fun. And...ya know...you can still call me when you get in even if you go out," Kelly said almost anxiously...then thought of something. "Well...I mean...not if you bring someone home, of course."

Eddie smiled a little. "I really don't plan on it...I'll probably call you when I get home...then we can talk for as long as we want."

"So...you gotta go now?" Kelly asked softly.

"I don't want to..." Eddie paused to look around and sighed. "But I probably should...everybody is done with their individual stretches...and its ten minutes to show time." He said knowing Kelly would understand what he was saying.

Kelly sighed...nodding a bit as she ignored the tears in her eyes. She was suddenly realizing just how lonely she was. "Yeah...OK," she said quickly.

"By girl...I love you and don't you dare do anything today...cuz I will be calling." Eddie said softly, knowing she had to feel awful.

Kelly sniffled quickly. "No, Ed...don't worry about me. I want you to go out and have a good time. I can talk to you tomorrow."

"I will call." Eddie said firmly.

Kelly took a deep breath that exhaled as a sigh. "Eddie...you're not my babysitter. You're not responsible for keeping me entertained. I don't want to interfere with your social life...your sex life...or just your time over there in general."

Eddie sighed. "You aren't Kel." He felt awful but he glanced at the clock again and knew he had to go. "I'll talk to you later girl...enjoy the rest of your day."

"Bye," Kelly said in a voice that came out barely louder than a whisper.

Eddie hung up the phone and placed it back in his bag. With a deep breath he walked over to the rest of the group. It was going to be harder then he thought to hide his feelings from her.

Kelly flipped her phone shut and tossed it across the room onto the couch before she huddled up into a ball on the chair. She couldn't help but start sobbing quietly when she was hit by the lonely silence surrounding her.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

"Niiiiick," Justin called from the bedroom in a whiney tone after dressing in some sweat pants after his shower and dropping onto the bed. "C'mere."

Nick rolled his eyes, he knew that whine. "I'm coming." He laughed as he got up off the couch and turned off the TV. Stretching a little he walked into the bedroom. "Yes dear?" He giggled.

"C'mere," Justin said again...laying on his back and looking up at the ceiling. "I have something to give you."

Nick raised an eyebrow and walked slowly to the bed. "Now, I'm a little scared."

"Don't be...it's nice...I promise."

Still looking skeptical of the whole thing, Nick climbed onto the bed and sat down next to Justin.

"No...don't sit yet. You have to get it...cuz I'm not gettin up," Justin said with a laugh.

Nick rolled his eyes again. "Gees." He laughed as he got up off the bed again.

"Over there...on my suitcase," Justin said...pointing in the general direction of where his bag was...with a small velvet box on top.

Nick walked over to Justin's suitcase and saw the velvet box. He looked back over at Justin. "That?" He asked, pointing down at the box.

Justin didn't make a move to look at what Nick was indicating. "The little blue box."

Biting his lower, Nick picked up the box and carried it back over to the bed and sat down next to Justin again. "What's this?"

"Open it," Justin said. His only movement was to turn his head a bit to look in Nick's direction. He wanted to see his boyfriend's reaction to the small diamond earrings. They were nothing big...much smaller, and not as flashy as Justin's studs...because Nick wasn't that type of person. They were just simple...and very nice.

Nick smiled and flipped the box open. He gasped and his eyes went wide when he saw the small diamond earrings in the box. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, not able to say anything.

"You like em?"

"I do...very much." Nick said once he had found his voice again.

Justin smiled. "Good...I'm glad. I mean...you can't wear em until your ears heal...but..."

Nick sat the box down on the bed and lied down, snuggling up next to Justin. "Thank you." He whispered against his boyfriend's chest.

"You're welcome," Justin said...lazily wrapping an arm around Nick.

"You didn't have to buy me anything."

"I know that," Justin said simply.

"But thank you." Nick said again as he kissed Justin's chest.

Justin chuckled. "I said you're welcome."

Nick giggled. "I know but I thought I would say it again."

Justin laughed again. "So...you enjoyed your day with the guys? Well...and Mel...but she's one of the guys."

"Yeah I did...it was really fun." Nick said, smiling against Justin's chest.

"I'm glad your cool with all of them."

"I get along with most everybody...just not everybody gets along with me."

"That's life, though."

Nick nodded his head. "Yeah it is." He said as he lifted his head up and looked down at Justin. Smiling he leaned down and did one thing he knew Justin loved...started to nibble on his lower lip.

Justin chuckeld as he closed his eyes and enjoyed Nick's nibbling. "Hey Nick," he interrupted after a few minutes.

Nick pulled back and looked down at Justin. "Yeah?"

Justin smirked. "Can we make out for a few minutes. I mean...I'm exhausted...and I'm not up for much more...but can we just make out...for just a few minutes...cuz I want to?"

Nick laughed and moved so he was half on top of Justin. He brought a hand up to run over Justin's head. "You sure?" He asked softly.

Justin nodded. "Yeah...but only if you can control yourself...cuz I don't have enough energy for more than a few minutes."

"I'll try...and if lose control I'll deal with it. Cuz I know you're sleepy." Nick said sweetly.

Justin chuckled. "Aww...thanks."

Nick laughed. "I would be tired too if I was busy shakin my ass on stage for like two hours."

"Great...so stop wastin my energy and kiss me."

"If you insist." Nick smirked and leaned down to kiss Justin. He started out gently, taking a little more time to nibble on Justin's lips. He would let him set the pace.

Justin wasn't in the mood for the gentle stuff anymore...so he took it upon himself to plunge his tongue into Nick's mouth...his hands going to the back of the older man's neck.

Nick gasped and moaned quietly into the kiss as he quickly got into the more intense kiss. His own tongue moving against Justin's. His hands moving to cup the younger man's face gently.

Justin groaned softly into Nick's mouth as he gently rolled his tongue against his boyfriends. He knew he didn't have a lot of energy left, so he wanted to enjoy the intense kiss while he could.

Nick moved a little so he was totally straddling and lying on top of Justin as he continued to kiss him back hungrily. He wasn't going to worry about getting turned on or not...he wasn't going to hold himself back. Like what he told Justin he would deal with it himself.

Justin's hands ran up and down Nick's sides as he pulled back to swallow a few breaths of air...kissing Nick's chin as he did.

Nick took the time to take a few deep breaths of his own. Justin kissing his chin caused him to moan deep in his throat.

Justin matched Nick's moan with one of his own as he went back to kissing him fully on the mouth...his hands settling gently on Nick's ass.

Even the gentle touch of Justin's hands on his ass caused Nick go moan even louder this time as he kissed Justin back with as much passion and heat as he could muster...wanting to do as much for as long as he could.

A few more minutes passed by before Justin pulled back again with a quiet sigh. "We should stop," he said breathlessly...looking into Nick's eyes. "Don't wanna reach the point...of no return."

Nick bit his lower lip and nodded, trying to not look sad. "Yeah...you're right."

Justin knew that look on Nick's face. "I'm sorry, baby," he whispered...trying to stifle a yawn even as he kissed Nick's chin again.

Nick giggled a little, when Justin yawned against his chin. "Don't be...I understand."

"I cancelled what I had for the morning...so..."

"Why did you do that?" Nick asked, lifting his head more to look down at Justin.

Justin shrugged. "Because I haven't had enough time to spend with you," he said as if stating the obvious.

Nick's eyes went wide. "You canceled something that was probably really important...to spend time with me?"

"I postponed it a few days."

"You sure...I mean...it's okay right?" Nick asked, biting his lower lip again.

Justin nodded. "It's done."

"You didn't do it cuz you felt like you had to right?"

"I wanted to," was all Justin said.

Nick smiled a little. "Okay then...I bet you're happy you don't have to get up early."

"Cuz I can stay in bed with you...if you're sleeping over, that is."

"Have I slept in my room at all?" Nick asked with a raised eyebrow.

Justin chuckled. "Not really."

"You don't mind do you?" Nick asked softly. "Cuz I mean you can kick me out whenever."

Justin laughed. "Shut up and let's go to bed," he said through a long yawn.

*****@*****

At around 4:00am, Eddie sat down on the couch in the sitting room area of his hotel room and dialed Kelly's number.

Kelly lifted her head up off the pillow on the couch and reached for her phone on the coffee table. She was slightly shocked when she saw Eddie's name on the caller ID. He actually DID call. Laying her head back down, she flipped her phone open and answered it. "Hey."

"Hey." Eddie said, sounding beyond hyper once again.

"How was your night?" Kelly asked...staring at the television.

"It was good...I guess I did need to get out a little." Eddie admitted. "Just hung with Marty and Mel a little at this club not to far from our hotel."

Kelly smiled fondly...remembering when she used to be a part of those nights. "That's cool...how were the ladies?"

"I umm...didn't really notice." Eddie answered, for the first time realizing he HADN'T noticed.

Kelly had to laugh. "Yeah, right."

Eddie looked down at his left hand and inspected the fingernails in the dim light nervously. He knew Kelly couldn't see him but he was blushing bright red. "I mean it." He said softly.

"OK," Kelly said quietly...knowing she should believe him.

"What have you done with your day...after checking out the hot guys at Home Depot?"

"Not too much of anything," Kelly said. "I haven't felt that great all afternoon." The truth was she HADN'T been feeling well...but her aches and pains weren't physical ones.

"What's wrong?" Eddie asked, automatically concerned.

"I don't know...but I'll be OK."

"I hope so...cuz you've got a lot of people here who would miss you if you were to croke on us." Eddie giggled.

"I'm not gonna croak," Kelly said...not even laughing at Eddie like she normally would.

"Well...you may not...but you must be broken...cuz you ain't laughing.

"I just...I don't know..." Kelly said softly...sniffling a bit as she felt tears filling her eyes again.

Eddie smiled a little. "You're okay baby."

"No...I'm not," Kelly finally admitted.

"What's wrong then?"

"I'm so lonely, Eddie..." Kelly said with another sniffle. "...I never thought it would be this bad. I mean...it's like...all I want right now is someone to hug me. And like...not a hug to pat me on the back and tell me that everything's gonna be OK...cuz I KNOW that. I need someone to hug me so I can feel safe in someone's arms...and feel loved."

"Come out for a visit." Eddie said with no hesitation. "We would all LOVE to see you...please."

Kelly shook her head. "No...I...there's too much out there."

"Get things started with your house more...and then come up." Eddie tried again.

"Eddie...I can't," Kelly said quietly.

"Is the house the only reason?"

"No...I told you...there's too much out there...for me to deal with."

"Oh right." Eddie said with a sigh.

"I got a call from Janet's manager today to invite me to audition for her tour," Kelly said...changing the subject. "I'm sure you did, too...since you were her favorite last time we danced for her."

"I haven't gotten anything yet...but that doesn't mean I wont." Eddie said, his good mood slightly gone.

"They're gonna call you...they told me."

"What did you tell them?"

"What COULD I tell them? I said thanks...but I'm currently taking a break from dancing."

"I guess that's all you COULD say." Eddie said softly...he felt awful for Kelly and wanted to do SOMETHING to make her feel better but he wasn't sure how.

"You'll have a great time on that tour," Kelly said quietly.

"Yeah I probably will...If I take it."

"What do you mean...IF?" Kelly asked curiously. She didn't know why, but for some reason, she was slightly excited at the thought of Eddie possibly staying around for a while.

Eddie shrugged his shoulders. "I might have something better to do...maybe *I* could use a break for a while too."

"Well...yeah...but that's not like you. You're full of energy and always going. And I mean...come on...what could be better than going on tour with Janet Jackson...again?"

'Staying home with you...and helping you with the baby.' Eddie screamed in his mind and almost said it out-loud but he caught himself. "I never said I won't...I just have to think about It I guess."

Kelly took a long, deep breath...and was quiet for a moment before speaking again. "Ya know, Eddie...the more I talk to you...the more I WANNA talk to you," she finally said softly. She didn't really know why she was thinking it...or what she meant by it...but she threw caution to the wind and said it anyway.

A smile spread across Eddie's face. He said he would let HER make the first move...and she had...now he could do something too. "I feel the same way, Kel. I was out tonight and the whole time I couldn't wait to get back here to talk to you." He admitted finally.

Kelly had to laugh. "Oh, please. You're out there in London...one of the funniest cities in the world...out partying with some of the funniest people...and you expect me to believe that you were thinking about going home and talking to ME?"

"I WAS!" Eddie exclaimed.

Kelly was shocked by Eddie's reaction. "Oh...OK," she said sheepishly.

Eddie blushed a little. "Sorry about that."

"It's OK."

"I'm really beginning to like talking to you more and more, Kel." Eddie admitted. "I'm really starting to like you." He whispered.

Kelly swallowed hard. "Wh-...what do you...mean?"

"I think you know what I mean."

"But...wait. I don't get it. What's changed from...just a few phone calls?"

"Nothing changed from a few phone calls...I've felt this way for a while now."

"You can't be serious. You've never LIKED a girl for as long as I've known you."

Eddie laughed. "I have too...you just wouldn't have noticed because I hid it from YOU."

Kelly shook her head. She was in complete disbelief. "No...no way. You hid WHAT from me?"

Eddie sighed, he felt like he has said to much and already ruined the best friendship he'd ever had with another girl. "I've had more then friendship feelings for you for over a year now." He said softly...finally admitting that to her and himself.

Kelly laughed in disbelief. "This is a joke, right? I mean...is this NOT the same thing I just went through with Marty?"

Eddie sighed. "It probably is."

"Baby...why didn't you ever say anything?" Kelly asked...finally realizing everything Eddie was saying.

"Because I was scared."

"Of what?"

"Of myself." Eddie said softly. "I fuck relationships up...I couldn't ever think of hurting you like that...so I just tried to forget I had feelings for you."

"Did...does Marty know?"

"Only Mel knows."

Kelly sighed. "Eddie...I just broke up with your best friend," she said softly.

"Which is why I don't think I should have told you." Eddie said back just as softly.

"No...no," Kelly said quickly. "I'm glad you did."

"Okay."

Kelly took a deep breath...feeling like she should make the subject a little lighter. They could always go back to the serious stuff after. "I can just imagine what you're like with your girls...you and your SO Puerto Rican self. I bet you call your girls 'Mami'...don't you?"

Eddie rolled his eyes. "I treat my girls just fine thank you." he joked.

Kelly laughed. "I didn't mean it like that. There'd be nothing wrong with it, really. Kinda cute, actually." She paused to chuckle again. "You DO do it, don't you?"

Eddie blushed a little. "I have in the past...yeah."

Kelly giggled as she snuggled under her covers a bit more. "You're so cute."

"Why thank you." Eddie chuckled as he brought his legs up onto the couch and curled them under himself.

"What'd you guys do at the club...anything fun?" Kelly asked as she looked at the TV again.

Eddie was going to say something when Marty walked into the room and waved. Eddie laughed and waved back. "We danced some...drank some and just talked."

Kelly turned onto her back to lean against the arm of the couch...getting uncomfortable on her side. "Did you talk about anything besides perverted shit?" She clearly remembered how the conversations used to go on the nights that she had gone out with Marty and Eddie.

"Actually we talked about Marty's problem." Eddie answered honestly.

"The pills?"

"No...his sexuality...I guess you wouldn't really call that a problem."

"Well maybe HE feels like it's a problem right now."

Eddie sighed. "He really does...he hates himself so much right now."

Kelly sighed quietly. "He has no reason to hate himself. That's the way he was made. There's nothing he can do about it, and he has to leanr to accept that."

"Which is what people are trying to tell him...but he has to figure it out for himself now."

"Yeah...just keep an eye on him," Kelly said...reminding Eddie for the umteenth time.

Eddie smiled and did actually literally keep an eye on Marty as he walked into the living room and sat down next to Eddie and yawned. Eddie laughed and rolled his eyes.

Marty actually smiled and said, "Tell her hi."

"Marty says Hi."

Kelly smiled at bit. "Tell him I said hello, please."

Eddie moved the phone from over his mouth. "She says hello."

Marty's smile got even bigger as he stood up again. "I'm heading to bed...see ya when I wake up." He said before heading into his room and shutting the door.

"He's making progress though." Eddie said once, Marty was gone.

"That's good. How did he know you were talking to me?"

"I actually...have no idea." Eddie laughed, now wondering the answer to that question himself.

Kelly took a long, deep breath. "I wish you were here, ya know," she admitted.

"I wish I was there too." Eddie admitted right back.

"I just...I need a hug," Kelly said again, then laughed softly...lightening things again. "And I DO recall that you give good hugs."

Kelly smiled. "I know," she said softly.

"Promise?"

Kelly laughed. "Wait a minute...who said anything about you getting ON me?"

"You know what I meant. It was supposed to be a joke."

Kelly felt her cheeks heating up as she laughed. "You'd get ON anything," she teased...trying to relieve herself of the tension of Eddie's comment.

"Oh right...my bad."

"Would you seriously consider dating me? I mean...if that ever came up," Kelly suddenly said.

"But why?"

"Yeah."

Kelly smiled. "Thank you. But...I come with SO much baggage you DEFINITELY don't need."

"Never mind the ex-boyfriend...who ALSO happens to be your best friend. But...it wouldn't be fair...since the baby's not yours."

"Well...Marty was already involved with me when I found out I was pregnant."

"What do you mean?"

Kelly sighed. "Honestly...no...I don't. Especially young, good-looking guys like you who could have any girl they want...baggage-free."

"How DO you see it, then?"

Kelly closed her eyes and shook her head. "I can't believe I'm hearing this."

"I...I don't doubt you. I mean...I don't think you'd lie to me..."

Kelly took a long, deep breath. "Do you think you should...I don't know...like...tell Marty we're talking?"

"No...I mean like...TALKING, talking."

"You were?"

Kelly sighed. "I think it might."

"I don't know. I mean...damn. *I* feel like such a...I don't know. Shit. I'm talking to his best friend less than a week after we broke it off."

"I'm such a horrible person. First I slept with Justin, Nick AND Marty all in like a matter of a couple weeks, or so...and now this."

Kelly sighed. "But I STILL feel awful. That's not like me...at all." Kelly was finding herself glad she had Eddie to confide in.

"We'll see," Kelly said softly.

"I know. I STILL don't know why I did it, though."

Kelly shook her head. "No. That was before they were doing anything."

"Yeah...I guess it is," Kelly agreed. "So...why would you do it?"

Kelly giggled. "No...jackass."

"I meant...why would you give up your lifestyle...that you seem to love so much...to get with a pregnant chick who's absolutely clueless in life?"

"Wanna talk about it?"

"Not exactly...you're a LITTLE younger. At least you just turned twenty-five. That makes a little bit of a difference."

"But...now he's NOT settling down. So...you guys can get right back out there and do what you do...together"

"Do you think he'll...ya know...explore things?"

"Have you suggested it?"

"Eddie..."

"How is this happening right now?" Kelly asked with a nervous laugh.

"This...US...talking like...this."

"You do?"

"I didn't say that."

"I wish you were here," Kelly said again.

"I just..." Kelly stopped talking without finishing her thought...taking a deep, shaky breath as her eyes started filling with tears.

"I don't know. I'm so confused," Kelly said before letting a quiet sob slip out.

"It's not just that," Kelly said...talking about her loneliness.

"Everything," Kelly said...her voice slightly loud in frustration. "My life is SO fucked up. Everything about it."

"But not like mine is right now," Kelly said with a sniffle. "I broke up with TWO boyfriends, had sex with a gay guy, AND found out I was pregnant all in a matter of less than a month. That is BEYOND fucked up."

"What...the fuck..."

Kelly DID laugh. "I know it's not. But I really DO feel lost right now. I'm sorry to be bitching about it...but it's true."

"I don't think he'd care."

"I'm sure you'll get to know him, though."

Kelly smiled. "Good...I'm glad. In fact...I'm almost jealous."

Kelly giggled. "Yeah."

"No..." Kelly said way too quickly...then tried to make it look like she wasn't overly anxious. "Just a few more minutes...please?"

"I'm sorry. I just..."

"Well...hang up and go to bed, then. I'm sure we'll talk again."

"Thank you," Kelly said in a near whisper.

"It's not just that. I mean...for listening...and for making me feel better."

"I can't believe it..."

Kelly giggled. "That you told me you LIKE me."

"Oh, really?"

Kelly smiled. She could just picture Eddie falling asleep in his bed, and it was an adorable image. "OK...call whenever you want. I don't care what time." And she didn't...she hadn't been sleeping regularly at all.

Kelly sighed quietly...smiling as she hung up the phone. She knew she wouldn't be sleeping...yet again. Because she had a lot to think about...yet again.

******@*****

Justin had been awake for nearly a half hour when he finally began getting bored and impatient. He rolled over toward Nick, and started placing soft kisses over his bare shoulder.

Justin laughed a little...trailing his kisses down Nick's arm and back up again.

"Wake up," Justin ordered gently as he kissed over to the back of Nick's neck. "I'm tryin to seduce you."

Justin chuckled. "How could have dreamed it if you're awake?"

"A little while."

Justin made a face. "That's nasty."

"Gross."

Justin took the opportunity to roll over on top of Nick. "Mornin."

Justin sighed contentedly as he lightly kissed Nick's lips.

"Mmmm...feels good not to get up."

Justin shrugged. "Don't care."

Justin chuckled. "You'll have to at SOME point."

"Yes...I did."

"I'm seducing you...remember?"

"This is part of my seduction, thank you."

"Good," Justin said...burying his face in Nick's neck and kissing it.

Justin chuckled. "Like that?"

"Yes...I do."

Justin purred quietly against Nick's neck...loving the feel of his boyfriend's hands on his back.

Justin chuckled. "Maybe."

"Just for you."

Justin laughed quietly as he kissed Nick's neck a few more times.

Justin kissed Nick's neck for a moment more before trailing his kisses slowly down the center of his chest.

Justin paused to briefly tease a nipple with his tongue before smirking up at Nick.

"What's THAT supposed to mean?"

"Good," Justin said before latching his mouth onto Nick's other nipple.

Justin laughed quietly. "Shhh..."

Justin laughed again as he leaned up to kiss Nick's lips. "You act like you never got any before."

Nick blushed more. "It HAS been a while." He mumbled against Justin's lips.

Justin rolled his eye dramatically. "MUST you remind me ALL the time?"

Nick rolled his eyes back. "And must you remind me that, I remind you." he giggled.

Justin chuckled as he kissed Nick's chin. "Yes."

"Okay." Nick moaned softly.

"Hmm...so..."

"So...what?"

"What do we do now?”

Nick laughed. "I thought you were seducing me."

"Yeah...but I'm not too good at this."

"Yeah you are." Nick smiled. "You seem to know what you're doing to me."

"Yeah?" Justin questioned as he kissed Nick's neck.

"Uh huh." Nick said, tilting his head to the side to give Justin better access.

Justin laughed quietly as he trailed his tongue over a small patch of skin.

Nick licked his lips and whimpered a little. His hands moving down to rest on Justin's lower back.

"Why you making so many noises?"

"Cuz I like what you're doing." Nick giggled deeply. "But I'll shut up if you want me to."

"I didn't say I wanted that," Justin said...smiling as he lifted his head to look into Nick's eyes.

Nick smiled as he looked back into Justin's eyes. "Okay." He said softly...getting lost in his eyes.

"It's nice to have this time with you."

Nick smiled more and nodded. "Thank you for taking the time off...you didn't have to do this."

"I wanted to."

"I'm glad."

"It's the least I could do. For you...AND me."

"Even world wide superstars need their R and R." Nick giggled.

Justin laughed. "Very true...AND beauty sleep."

Nick rolled his eyes. "I think you would be beautiful even if you were sleep deprived or lying in bed with the flu."

"Awww...how sweet."

Nick giggled. "It's true...now me on the other hand look like shit when I'm sick."

"I'd disagree. I've seen you sick."

"Oh yeah you have...I totally forgot that. You even helped me." Nick said with a smile. "It was when you did that...that night when you helped me to bed and gave me cough medicine that I really started to fall for you."

"Was it really?" Justin asked curiously...resting his chin on Nick's chest and looking up at him.

Nick nodded his head. "Yeah...I think that is when my feelings for you changed from those of a star struck fan...to a real full blown crush."

Justin chuckled. "How cute."

Nick lightly smacked Justin upside the head. "When did you first feel like you started to like me...like that?”

Justin thought about it for a second. "I'm not sure, really. I think it was like...slowly developing."

"That's a good answer." Nick said with a smile. "I could tell when you got more comfortable with things."

"When was that?"

"I really remember noticing it...when we were holding hands and stuff on your bus that day."

Justin smiled at the memory. "That was nice."

Nick smiled too. "Yeah it was."

"How come you've always been so sweet to me...and you really shouldda been a jackass a few times?"

Nick shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know."

"Well...thanks you. For...not scaring me off, and stuff. Cuz...I'm glad we're where we are now."

"I think the main reason is because I know how you feel." Nick said, once he had really thought about it. "I didn't have a friend to help me sort out my feelings...and honestly the only time you really made me feel bad...was when I walked in on you and Kelly that one time...and that wasn't even your fault...it just kinda you know hit my heart a little."

"Yeah...but that's when things with me and her were still goin on."

Nick nodded and then blushed. "Yeah...and it's not like I didn't go and do the exact same thing...the same night."

Justin groaned. "Don't remind me. I don't think you have any idea how much that really bothered me."

"I'm sorry." Nick said, looking into Justin's eyes. "I don't know what I was thinking... I still feel so aweful for what I did."

Justin shrugged. "Everything worked out OK, I guess."

"It did...cuz neither of you hate me still."

"Of course not."

Nick giggled. "Yes...cuz you wouldn't be lying on top of me if you hated me."

Justin laughed. "True."

"Unless you were like beatin the shit outa me or something."

"Never that."

Nick smiled. "Yeah...I like kisses better."

"I've kissed you lotsa times...and I've only hit you once."

"Ohh...I had TOTALLY forgotten about that!" Nick laughed out loud. "You did hit me!"

"Yes...I did."

Nick bit his lower lip. "I deserved it."

"Yes...you did."

"I really AM a horny bastard." Nick giggled.

"Extremely."

"You don't mind THAT much."

"Not always," Justin said with a laugh.

"I've gotten better too." Nick said with a pout on his face.

"Yes...you have."

Nick smiled and let his hands move down to Justin's ass. "Glad you noticed."

"I did."

"Do you have anything to do today before the show?" Nick asked softly as he gently started to kneed Justin's ass.

Justin groaned quietly. "Yeah. I have a lunch meeting at noon for a magazine interview."

"Sounds fun." Nick laughed

"Not really. Damn people are so nosey."

"Are you currently dating anybody, Mr. Timberlake?" Nick said in a fake interviewer voice, holding his hand down like a microphone.

Justin chuckled. "Yeah...a dude. Oh...and my ex-girlfriend's having my baby."

Nick swatted Justin's ass. "Glad to know I'm just a dude." He teased.

Justin laughed and rested his head down on Nick's chest with a relaxed sigh.

Nick moved one hand up to rest on the small fo Justin's back. "Now you're going to fall asleep on me." He teased again.

"So what if I did?"

Nick shrugged his shoulders. "Then you would fall asleep."

Justin chuckled. "And you'd be pissed."

"No I wouldn't...why would I be pissed?" Nick asked.

"I don't know. Cuz this is our time together."

Nick nodded a little. "Yeah...it would be disappointing I guess...but I would understand."

"I'm not gonna sleep."

"Okay." Nick giggled.

"This is nice."

"Yeah it is." Nick agreed as he continued to rub Justin's back lightly.

"How are you enjoying London so far?"

Nick smiled big. "It's really nice...what I've seen."

"I'm glad you're getting to see it."

"Will we get to see any of it together?" Nick asked softly.

"I hope so. I'll have to find out when I have a day off."

Nick tried to hold back the huge smile that was about to form on his face. "Okay...cool."

Justin took a deep breath as he lifted his head and looked down at Nick. "But for now..."

"For now...?" Nick asked, looking up at Justin.

Justin smirked...then slid down Nick's body a bit to start kissing over his stomach.

Nick sucked in a deep breath and bit his lower lip. "You...couldn't do that sight seeing."

Justin laughed against Nick's soft stomach as he trailed his tongue down to his belly button.

A small moan escaped Nick's mouth and he felt his dick stir in his PJ pants.

Justin continued kissing and licking over Nick's stomach for a few minutes...finally stopping to look up at Nick when he felt his boyfriend's hardening erection against his chest. "What's that?" he asked with a chuckle.

Nick giggled a little and shrugged his shoulders. "I have NO idea."

"I think *I* have an idea."

Nick raised an eyebrow. "Oh really...that's good...is it something I should worry about?"

Justin laughed. "No. I think it's something you're used to."

Nick laughed too and nodded. "Good point...it happens often."

Justin laughed again as he backed of a little bit...just enough to lower Nick's PJs just enough to set his dick free. "Oh, look...I was right."

Nick swallowed hard, as he looked down at Justin and his free dick. "So the problem is what you thought it was?" He asked in a husky voice...still playing the little game.

Justin looked up at Nick and smirked. "I don't think it's a problem."

"Oh yeah?" Nick asked, with raised eyebrows, his bottom lip still between his teeth.

Justin laughed and slid back up Nick's body to kiss him. "Not a problem at all."

Nick couldn't help himself, he crushed his lips to Justin's hard...for a heated, passionate kiss. His hands moving back down to hold onto his boyfriends ass.

Justin groaned deeply into the kiss as he wiggled around a bit until he got his PJs down, too...just enough to set his own erection free to press against Nick's.

Nick gasped into the kiss when he felt their naked erections press against each other. His tongue going to explore Justin's mouth even more as his hips bunked up a little on their own.

Justin moaned when he felt Nick's hips buck up against his. "You got...the right...idea," he mumbled against Nick's lips.

"Shit...pants off...all...way." Nick mumbled against Justin's lips as he reached down to try and get his pants off...not wanting anything in his way.

Justin quickly got up off of Nick and attempted to get out of his pants...struggling a bit.

When Justin was off of him, Nick quickly struggled to get out of his own pants. Giggling like a giddy little kid as he smirked at Justin.

Justin laughed as he settled back over Nick. "You're pathetic."

"I don't see you sitting there not doing anything." Nick laughed as he wrapped his arms around Justin again, this time letting his legs hook around Justin a bit.

Justin reached back to pull Nick's legs off him. "I want you on top..."

Nick let his legs drop to the bed and then he quickly moved, flopping them over so he was on top. "Like this?" He asked, smiling down at Justin.

Justin chuckled. "Perfect."

"Glad you approve." Nick smiled before leaning down to nibble at Justin's lips.

Justin closed his eyes as he groaned against Nick's lips. "Move...please...wanna feel you."

Nick didn't say anything, just started to grind his hips against Justin's as he deepened the kiss.

Justin moaned loudly...sliding his hands up Nick's back as he kissed him passionately...getting lost in the feel of his boyfriend's body.

Nick sucked on Justin's tongue as they kissed, his hips still grinding against Justin's. He moaned, feeling himself harden even more as their erections ground together.

Justin dug his fingers into the backs of Nick's shoulders as he grinded up against him a bit...loving the way Nick's hard cock felt against his own.

After another few minutes, Nick pulled back to catch his breath and started to trail kisses down Justin's cheekbones and onto his neck. His hips only stilling a little bit.

Justin groaned loudly. "Shit, Nick...so good," he moaned out as his hands moved to the back of Nick's head.

Nick smiled against Justin's neck as he continued to kiss up his neck until he got to his ears. Once again nibbling on his earring. "I love the way you feel...against me." He whispered huskily in his ear.

"God me too..." Justin moaned breathlessly...grinding his hips up against Nick's.

"You feel so hard...did *I* make you that hard." Nick continued to whisper in Justin's ear as he moved his hips hard once.

"Oh fuck," Justin groaned...dropping his head onto the pillow and arching his back. "What do you think?"

"I hope it's me." Nick giggled as he reached down between their bodies and took Justin's cock into his hand.

Justin's hips jerked at the feel of Nick's hand on his cock. "Oh yes...oh GOD yes."

Nick looked down at Justin's face filled with pleasure and it turned him on even more. He wanted nothing more then to have what he had in his hands inside of him...but he wasn't going to dare mention it or say anything. "You like that?" He asked huskily.

Justin whimpered quietly. "Shit...need...to cum..." he moaned out shamelessly as he continued to move against Nick.

"Don't worry...I'll help you." Nick whispered as he let go of Justin's dick long enough to move down his body, placing kisses as he went. Once he was all the way down he placed a kiss to the head of Justin's cock.

Justin groaned loudly...loving the feeling...but reached down to pull Nick back up, anyway. "No..."

Nick looked down into Justin's eyes...confused by the reaction.

"Don't," Justin said...blushing a bit. "I want to cum with you...like this."

A small smile spread across Nick's face and he nodded. "Okay, baby." He whispered as he positioned himself back over Justin better and started to actually thrust his hips a bit....almost as if he was actually making love to his boyfriend.

Justin's back arched again as he lay there...letting Nick erotically run his cock over his own. "Oh...my...FUCK!" Justin was in complete ecstasy.

Nick was panting and groaning, saying things that didn't really make sense by this point as he let his body take over and do what it needed. His hands found their way onto Justin's head as he thrust his hips hard.

"Oh God...oh God...please...need..."

"Me...too." Nick groaned as he thrust his hips even harder over Justin's. The feeling of their hard cocks rubbing together was getting to be way too much. Sweat was pouring down his forehead and precum was already leaking out of his cock.

"Now..." Justin panted out frantically. "Now, Nick...now..."

Nick leaned down to kiss Justin passionately as he rocked his hips just a bit harder as he let his body relax as much as it could to just give into what it needed to do.

Justin plunged his tongue into Nick's mouth just as his cock exploded in a hard, long, intense orgasm...causing a moan to escape his throat and his whole body to convulse.

Feeling Justin cum was all Nick's body could take and he was falling over the edge, his cock exploding hard against Justin’s. He took groaned deep in his throat into the kiss as he thrust a few more times against Justin.

By the time Nick's orgasm had concluded, Justin's whole body was limp against the bed as he tried to catch his breath.

Nick flopped down on top of Justin as he too tried to catch his breath, his hands that were on Justin's head dropped to the pillow next to it.

"Holy shit."

Nick giggled a little against Justin's chest where his head was resting. "Uhh...yeah...wow."

Justin chuckled. "You OK?"

"Yeah...I'm great" Nick giggled again lifting his head to look down into Justin's eyes. His hands going back to run over his buzzed head.

Justin sighed quietly. "Me too."

Nick wiped a trail of sweat from Justin's forehead and leaned down to kiss him lightly on the nose. He so badly wanted to say that he loved him...but wasn’t sure if this really was a good moment to do it.

"That was...wow," Justin said softly...his eyes still on Nick's.

"It was." Nick said just as softly, smiling down at Justin.

"Don't move, OK? Let's sleep a little more...just like this."

"We're all sticky." Nick giggled, but laid his head down on Justin's chest again anyway.

Justing sighed with a whine. "Do we have to move?"

Nick rolled his eyes against Justin's chest. "We don't have to...but you can explain to the fans why you're itching like crazy tonight at the concert. 'Oh...sorry If I'm scratching myself guys...I didn't go take a shower and slept with cum on me'." He said imitating Justin.

"I don't care...just a few minutes," Justin said lazily.

"Okay." Nick smiled running his fingers through the short hairs on Justin's head.

Justin leaned his head up to kiss Nick's chin. "Nap time."

"Yes...getting off takes away all energy." Nick giggled closing his eyes.

Justin nodded a bit...closing his eyes, too.

"How long do we have to nap?" Nick had to ask...not wanting them to sleep so long that Justin didn't have time to get ready for his lunch interview.

"They'll call," Justin mumbled...half asleep.

"Okay." Nick mumbled back, all of a sudden really sleepy.

"G'night."

"Night."

*****@*****

Eddie grabbed his beer bottle and took it to the couch in his hotel room and picked up his cell phone. Dialing Kelly's phone number he waited.

Kelly blindly reached for her phone on the couch cushin beside her...not taking her eyes off the TV. "Hello?"

"Hola." Eddie giggled as he took another sip of his beer. "What's up?"

Kelly smiled...her attention immediately drawn away from the soap opera she was watching when she heard Eddie's voice. "Ooooh...I love it when you talk Spanish to me," she teased.

Eddie laughed again, taking another sip of what was probably his fourth beer in the last hour. He wasn't really sure why but he was in the mood to get tipsy in his own room. "I'm glad you do...cuz I can continue to do it through this whole phone call if you would like...but probably most of it wouldn't make much sense." He laughed again.

Kelly giggled. "Probably not...but I could still sit here and listen to it for hours," she said honestly.

"Hmm...but then I would be talking to myself." Eddie pointed out.

"I could do decently," Kelly said with a laugh. "I DID study it for five years in school. Just how much I remember...I don't know."

Eddie giggled. "We'll stick to English."

"OK...deal."

"SO, what have YOU been up to today beautiful lady."

Kelly smiled. "Not too much. I went over to the house to check on the painting and stuff, but didn't stay long. I'm sure the fumes are bad for the baby."

Eddie smiled against his beer bottle. "You're right...it wouldn't be good." He said before taking a drink.

"Now I'm just watching 'General Hospital.'"

"Oh isn't THAT exciting." Eddie giggled. "I don't think I even wana know what's on right now since it's like 12:30 in the morning."

"Are you drunk?" Kelly asked...thinking she noticed a hint of giddiness in Eddie's voice.

"Not yet." Eddie giggled again

"But you're drinking."

"Yes." Eddie nodded, even though Kelly couldn't see him.

"Wait...where are you?" Kelly asked...thinking he might have been out.

Eddie looked around the hotel room. "I'm sitting on the couch in my hotel room."

"Alone?"

"Uh huh....ALL alone...on my lonesome."

Kelly giggled. "Then why are you drinking?"

"No idea." Eddie laughed. "I felt like it."

"Oh...OK."

Eddie paused for a second to take another long sip of his beer. "Well...I'm not technically alone...cuz you're talking to moi."

Kelly smiled. "But you're still alone...cuz I'm here...and you're ALL the way over there."

"Yes, ALL the way over here."

"At least YOU have people with you. I'M the one who's REALLY lonely."

"Yeah, I know." Eddie sighed. "But...let's not talk about that tonight, Kel...or today or whatever the fuck you wana call it...let's have a happy conversation."

Kelly smiled. "OK, boss. Whatever you say."

Eddie chuckled. "Yes I AM the boss...and you must do exactly as I say." He teased.

"Oh is THAT so?"

"Yup."

Kelly groaned as she sank down against the arm of the couch. "God...I feel fat today," she whined as she put her hand over her stomach.

"You're only like two months pregnant...you can't be fat." Eddie pointed out as he got up and made his way on slightly unsteady feet to the mini bar where he grabbed glace put some ice in it and filled it with scotch.

"I know...but I'll still showing a lot of...I don't know...signs."

"Wouldn't that be a good thing though? I mean says everything is okay?"

"I guess...I mean...if you consider being nauseous all the time and my boobs getting bigger to mean everything's OK."

Eddie choked on his drink when Kelly mentioned her boobs getting bigger. That image went straight to his groin.

Kelly laughed. "Are you OK?"

"Uh...huh." Eddie said as he coughed a few more times.

"What happened?"

"Choked on my drink." Eddie replied once he could talk better again.

"Are you sure you're OK?"

"Yeah I'm fine."

"Why are you choking? Did I say something?" Kelly asked obliviously.

"Uhh...no." Eddie said, still not drunk enough to not be embarrassed.

"OK," Kelly said...figuring Eddie would tell her if she said something to bother him. "Hey did you ever get your hair done?" she asked...remembering him saying he wanted to get his hair rebraided...after cutting it a bit so his braids would stop at the base of his neck instead of slightly longer like he usually wore them.

"No...I haven't yet...I was planning on doing that today actually.”

"Good...cuz you better not be comin up in here with that huge-ass fro of yours when this tour is over," Kelly said with a laugh.

Eddie rolled his eyes and laughed. "I happen to like the huge ass fro thank you very much."

Kelly giggled. "Well...you ARE hot either way...but I like the braids."

Okay...Kelly complimenting him like that...wasn't doing much for the slight hard on he already had from the boob thing. "Thanks baby." he said, his voice a little deeper then it should be so he had to clear it.

"You're welcome," Kelly said as she moved to lay down on the couch...curling up on her side. "So where's everyone else? How come you're alone in your room?"

"Marty went out with a few of the other guys some place...Nick and Justin are in their room..."

"Why didn't you got out with them?" Kelly was really wondering why Eddie wasn't going out with the guys every night like he always did.

"I felt like staying in." Was Eddie's only responce as he took this glass back to sit down on the couch again.

"But if you wanted to drink...you shouldda went out."

"I felt like drinking here." Eddie said as he sat down and took another drink. "I wanted to talk to you."

Kelly smiled. "About what?"

Eddie shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno...stuff...but happy fun stuff."

kelly giggled. "OK...like what? I'm all ears."

"I wasn’t chokin early cuz of what you said about yur boobs." Eddie spit out...mentally kicking himself once he said it.

"What did I say about my boobs?" Kelly asked...completely unaware.

Eddie bit his lower lip. "You just said...cuz you were pregnant...they were getting...bigger." He said softly

Kelly thought about it for a second, then laughed. "Oh...I did, didn't I? Sorry. Sometimes I forget I'm talking to a guy."

"Oh gee...thanks" Eddie laughed. "Well...I'm like the only really...guy, guy you talk to." He teased, not dissing the other guys...just being funny.

Kelly had to laugh. "Ya know, Ed...while we're on that subject..."

"Yeah?"

"If you really like me like you SAY you like me...I think there are a few things I should know about you ahead of time...just in case."

Eddie smiled. "Go ahead...ask me anything."

"OK...first of all...do I know any of the girls you've previously slept with...and was one of them Melanie?"

Eddie laughed out loud at that one. "Mel...heck no...she's like my little sister...I've like known her since I was 10."

"But...you've known ME since you were NINEteen."

"True...but it's a little different...she was like friends with my whole family...not just me." Eddie explained. "I think she even had a crush on Manny once." He giggled.

"Oh...I see."

"And to answer your first part of that question...I slept with a few of the other dancers with Janet's tour...girls you would have known...but this time around it's just been random people."

"What do you mean...THIS time around?"

"With Justin."

"Oh...OK," Kelly said...then was quiet in thought for a moment. "Do you realize that that night we hooked up...like REALLY hooked up...was the last time we were in London?" she asked Eddie...thinking back to the very start of the Justified Tour the previous May.

"I was actually thinking about that earlier today." Eddie admitted. "I had a really good time that night Kel...and not just because of obvious reasons."

Kelly laughed almost nervously. "What was so exciting other than the blowjob?"

"I just liked spending the time with you." Eddie laughed, "Okay I know that sounded cheesy or a line or something...but it's true."

"It was just one night, Eddie. I mean...we talked...and hooked up...and slept," Kelly pointed out...wondering why that night was really so special to him.

"Exactly." Eddie said softly. "I don't do that with girls, Kel. I don't just talk and hook up a little and then sleep. We fuck and she leaves...that's how it works. What we did was different."

"Oh...I didn't know..." Kelly said quietly.

Eddie smiled a little. "You wouldn't."

"Guess not."

"Plus...I was happy to be your first." Eddie giggled. "And you were great for your first time too."

Kelly giggled...feeling her cheeks blush. "Oh please...I SO wasn't. I had no clue WHAT the fuck I was doing."

"Yeah well...you did a lot better then a lot of girls...and they say they know what the hell they are doing."

"You've gotten your fair share of head, I take it?"

"More then I would care to admit." Eddie said, blushing.

"Yeah..." Kelly said quietly. She'd known right from that night that she shouldn't take any stock in what happened between her and Eddie. She was really just another conquest...even if they DID talk...and sleep together after she went down on him.

"Oh...I talked to Nick tonight before the show. He told me about his past." Eddie said, remembering that.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah...looking at him I would never have guessed he lived like that. He seems so down to earth and stuff."

"True. But then again...a lot of people probably wouldn't suspect MY past either. I mean...you can't judge a book by its cover."

"That is true." Eddie agreed. "I guess it makes me respect him even more. Since you know how my family accepted Manny for who he was from the beginning. I can't even imagine what it would be like."

"Yeah. Manny was really like to have a family like you guys." Kelly was following the conversation, but was still slightly distracted with other thoughts.

"But...anyways...you were asking me questions."

Kelly took a deep breath. "Right...umm...well...if we DID date...is there any chance you'd start liking men on me completely unexpectedly?"

"No...I have NEVER had any interest in the same sex. Not even as a little kid or anything. I've always liked girls." Eddie said quickly...very sure of his answer.

Kelly chuckled. "OK...gotcha."

"Believe me...I think my mother would die if her other son turned out gay." Eddie giggled.

Kelly laughed quietly. "I love your mom. She's like...such a cute little Spanish lady."

"Yes...she is little...and Spanish...cute i'm not sure." Eddie laughed. "She can be mean."

"Probably because she's really traditional...right?"

"Very...she still smacks me upside the head each time I see her cuz I don't attend church every Sunday."

Kelly laughed at that. "Well...maybe you should start going, then."

"I would rather sleep in." Eddie giggled.

"Me too," Kelly admitted with a chuckle.

"Even Manny goes to church, Eddie." Eddie said in a voice that sounded a lot like his mothers.

Kelly laughed some more. "Damn...that's funny."

Eddie laughed and cleared his throat. "Yeah...and it hurt my voice...thank goodness I don't have to sing."

"True," Kelly said. "Hey...are you guys doing anything for Marty's birthday? The fifteenth is in like...five days."

"Shit." Eddie giggled. "I TOTALLY forgot about that."

"Jeez, Ed...some best friend!"

"Well...normally we have Marty jumping around like a cocker Spaniel that had too many pixie sticks reminding us." Eddie pointed out, giggling.

"Yeah. How's he doin?"

"Better...but still not the same old, Marty."

"He'll be fine...I think...right?"

Eddie nodded. "Yeah...I know he will be."

"Oh I have a question about something else that usually haunts me in relationships," Kelly said with a laugh...suddenly thinking of it.

"Okay..."

"Ever had a threesome?"

Eddie swallowed hard. "Yeah...I have actually." He said...being honest.

"Oh. Umm...when?"

"Back during Janet..."

"Just once?"

"Twice."

"With just girls?" Kelly asked curiously...then stopped herself. "No...ya know what? It's really none of my business."

"Kel...it's really okay." Eddie said softly. "I told you to ask me anything...and yes....with girls."

"The same girls both times?" Kelly couldn't help but ask...her curiosity getting the best of her. Maybe she was just so curious because her own sex life was so...plain.

"No...two different girls...both times."

"Oh."

"I didn't really like it that well though." Eddie admitted. "It felt to...nasty and wrong for even me."

"Don't say that, Eddie," Kelly instructed...not liking the way he'd said 'even me.' "You make it sound like you're like...a lower worthless being, or something."

"Sometimes I feel like that. I mean not every guy feels the need to sleep around."

"Do you think there's a reason you do it, besides the fear of committment thing?"

"I think it could kind of be a genetic thing." Eddie laughed. "I know that doesn't really make sense...but my dad did the same thing before he met my mom. We're horny people I guess...and since I'm scared to commit...I end up with all sorts of girls to fulfill my urges...unlike if I had a girlfriend I would just jump her all the time." He giggled.

"Oh boy," Kelly said with a quick laugh.

"Now I'm scaring you off." Eddie laughed.

"No, no...I just..." Kelly paused and took a deep breath. "Do you ever think you do it to...like...feel better about yourself, or something?"

"Maybe a little bit." Eddie admitted. "But sometimes I think...at least lately I do it because I feel like I'm expected to."

"Why would you think that?"

"Cuz I'm so used to doing it...it's hard to break the habit."

"Well...just so you know...no one expects it of you. I mean...unless there are some chicks that are regulars. THEY might."

Eddie laughed. "Nah...no regulars."

Kelly giggled. "I love talking to you, Eddie."

"I love talking to you too, Kel." Eddie said as he finished off his drink.

"I feel like I have so many things I wanna say to you," Kelly said as she put a hand over her slightly achy stomach.

"There are a lot of things I want to say too...but I think that last glass put me past the tipsy point." Eddie giggled.

"I don't want you to say anything when you're...like that."

Eddie all of a sudden felt really bad that he had started drinking before he called her. "Sorry, Kel."

"It's OK," Kelly said softly.

"Should I hang up?" Eddie asked just as softly.

"No."

Eddie sighed a small sigh of relief. "Okay."

"I wanna talk more."

"I do too." Eddie said as he sat his empty glass down on the coffee table in front of him.

"OK...so...if we're not gonna talk about THAT..."

"About what?"

"Ya know...I just told you I don't want you to say anything about that while you're drunk."

"Right." Eddie agreed. "I don't want to say anything I don't mean." He sighed, trying to think of a safe topic. "What do you think I should do for Marty's birthday?"

"Something fun...that he'll definitely enjoy. Hell...he'd even like just a private party in the suite. These are the funniest sometimes."

Eddie laughed out loud, thinking about the times they had. "Yeah...that would actually probably be best...with all the closest friends...that way everybody can be themselves." He said, meaning Justin and Nick...without really saying it.

"Do Tony, Roger, Nikki and Michelle know yet?" Kelly asked...referring to the other dancers that weren't quite as close to Justin.

"I'm not sure..." Eddie said, trying to think if they did.

"I think the only people who do is...Me...you...Marty...Mel...Johnny and then like family...but I could be wrong."

"Probably not. You know how private Justin is."

"Yeah...but I have a feeling it's getting tougher for him."

"Well of course. I'm sure he just wants to be able to be himself."

"Yeah I know...it has to suck for both of them. I'm not sure if I could be in either of their positions. I mean not being able to have a life not in the spot light...and then being Nick who doesn't understand no matter how hard he probably wants to."

Kelly sighed. "Yeah...I know."

"I have a feeling he's going to say something though...if things go much longer."

"We'll see, I guess."

Eddie nodded. "Yeah...and just support them and give them as much 'normal' time as we can."

Kelly took a long, deep breath as her common-as-of-late lonely feeling came back. "Ya know...if you were in town right now, I'd probably ask you to sleep over tonight."

"And I would in a heartbeat." Eddie said with a sigh of his own.

"I just...ya know...I'd really like for someone to hold me. That's it."

"I wish I could be there holding you too, Kelly."

Kelly sighed. "Well...you can't...so there's no sense in even discussing it, right?"

"Right." Eddie said, sounding sad.

Kelly was quiet on her end of the phone for a short while...not really knowing what to say to bring the mood back up.

Eddie was just about to say something when there was a knock on his door. Groaning, he got up and slightly wobbled to the door. "Hold on a sec, Kel...somebody is at the door." He said as he opened it and looked at Nick confused when he saw him on the other side. "Yeah?"

Nick smiled his big smile and handed Eddie a sweatshirt. "Thanks for letting me borrow it...it was dumb of me to forget mine."

Eddie laughed and took the sweatshirt from his hands. "Thanks. Nick but you didn't have to bring it back tonight."

Nick blushed and giggled. "I wanted to..." He then noticed, Eddie was on the phone and smiled big again. "Is that, Kel?"

Eddie just nodded.

"May I talk to her?" Nick asked almost shyly

Eddie put the phone to his ear again. "Kel?"

"What's up, baby?" she asked...pulled out of her deep thoughts by Eddie's voice.

"You wana talk to Nick for a second...I need to go take a quick shower...haven't yet."

Nick giggled, and held his nose with his fingers.

"Um...yeah. But...are you gonna come back?"

"Of course I'll come back." Eddie smiled and then smacked Nick. "I will save you from the freak don't worry."

"OK...go wash up."

"Okay see you in a few." Eddie handed the phone to Nick and rushed off to his room.

Nick put the phone to his head and walked into the room, shutting the door. “Hey Kel.”

"Hey, hun...how are things?"

Nick smiled as he sat down on the couch. "Things are pretty good...how are you?"

"I'm OK," was all Kelly answered. "Are you enjoying London?"

"I've really only been out and about once. I was really lazy today." Nick giggled.

"That's OK...we all need that once in a while. Where's J? Sleeping, I'm sure?"

"Yeah...he fell asleep about twenty minutes ago." Nick said with a yawn. "I was going to do the same but I couldn't fall asleep."

"You sound tired now, though."

"I am tired...but couldn't sleep." Nick giggled.

Kelly giggled. "Are you enjoying the shows?"

"Uh huh...haven't gotten tired of them yet, either." Nick giggled and then groaned a little when his head started to hurt more then it had been.

"What's wrong, babe?"

"I just have a headache." Nick replied as he shoved his left hand into the kangaroo pouch of his sweatshirt.

"Did you take something?"

"Yeah I stole Justin's Advil."

"Hope you feel better."

"Thanks." Nick said softly as he turned to see Eddie walking back into the room just in a towel. The image alone making him shiver. Not because he liked the sight but because Eddie would have to be cold. "Well...Ed's back...so I will give you to him...and then go back and attempt to sleep."

"Dang...that was a QUICK shower."

Nick giggled. "He's wet so he at least got under the water...talk to you later, Kel." With that he handed the phone back to Eddie and waved goodbye before leaving.

"Okay...I'm back." Eddie said as he sat down.

"Did you even have time to use soap?"

Eddie laughed as he watched Nick leave. "Yes I used soap...and I think our little friend Nicky is getting sick." he said as an after thought.

"He didn't sound too good."

"He's as white as a sheet...and I knew something wasn't right when he asked for my sweatshirt today before the concert...you know how hot it is backstage...and he was freezing."

"Maybe he's got the flu."

"Yeah...he's probably just getting that sickness we all get when we are getting used to traveling around." Eddie said with a small smile.

"Maybe. So do YOU feel better after your shower?"

"I feel more alive." Eddie giggled.

"That's good."

"Yup." Eddie said as he got situated more on the couch again. "What are you going to do tomorrow?"

"Or well today actually...huh?"

"Nuthin special," Kelly said...which was true. She'd probably be bored most of the day.

"Yeah all I gota do is go get my hair done before the show."

"Doesn't take too long with the stylists we have."

"Nope...so maybe I'll just hang with the rest of the clan...see what Mel. and Marty and Nick are up to."

"Yeah...have fun," Kelly said with a soft sigh.

"Call you too of course."

"You don't have to."

"I want to."

Kelly smiled. "OK...I'd like that."

"Good...cuz I would do it even if you didn't want me to." Eddie giggled.

Kelly laughed. "Yes...I know."

Eddie yawned and then mentally slapped himself for taking a hot shower. "I need to stop doing things that make me sleepy when I talk to you."

"It's OK...it's late there. Go to bed."

"I think I might...so I don't sleep the day away." Eddie said with another yawn.

Kelly did her best to hide her disappointment, but didn't know how successful she was. "Yeah."

"I would stay up talking to you all night, girl if I could." Eddie said softly.

"But you can't," Kelly said...tears filling her eyes. Crying had become a regular thing...especially when ending her phone calls with Eddie.

Eddie could tell Kelly was crying and felt awful...but he also knew that she would still be down even if he talked to her twenty-four-seven. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Kelly said with a quick sniffle.

"I'll call you tomorrow right when I get back to the hotel. Today I didn't for like an hour. So we'll have at least an hour longer." Eddie said, hoping to cheer her up. "And I'll be sober too."

"You don't have to do that for me...and you don't have to promise to call, either."

"I WANT to, Kel." Eddie said firmly. "I'm not doing this just cuz I know you're lonely...I want to talk to you."

"Maybe so...but probably not as much as you are."

"Don't fight with me, woman." Eddie teased.

Kelly laughed at that. "Si, Senor."

Eddie laughed. "Night, girl…love ya."

"Love you too," Kelly said very softly. "Goodnight."

"Night, night." Eddie said just as softly before he hung up the phone.

Kelly tossed her phone onto the coffee table, and pulled the blanket up over her head...hoping for a nap to take her over.

Once he hung up, Eddie got up and headed into his room. Automatically climbing into bed and trying to get to sleep.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

Justin sighed quietly as he rubbed Nick's back as his boyfriend finished throwing up for the sixth time in two hours. "Nick...this is crazy. You have a fever...and the chills...and you can't stop puking. It's obviously a flu or something strange, and I'm afraid it's gonna dehydrate you, or some shit. I wish you'd agree to go to the Emergency Room."

Nick shook his head as he rested his chin on the toilet seat. "No...I'm fine." He said weakly...already almost asleep again. He had been camping out on the bathroom floor for even a few hours when he knew he was going to get sick...before Justin had even woken up.

"No...that's it. I'm putting my foot down. We're in a foreign country...it could be anything," Justin said...getting up and going into the bedroom to use the phone.

Nick whimpered as he reached a weak hand up to flush the toilet and used all his energy to flop back down on the floor. The cool tile feeling good for at least a second before he would get chilled again. He couldn't even protest anymore.

Justin came back to the bathroom a few minutes later, and bent to help Nick up off the floor. "Come on, Nicky...work with me, here."

Taking a deep breath, Nick did what he was told. "I'm sorry." He whispered as he tried to get up off the floor with Justin's help.

"Sorry for what?"

"Getting sick...you don't need this."

"You can't help it, Nick...don't be sorry," Justin said...leaning Nick against the counter, then wetting a cool cloth and holding it to his forehead.

Nick winced when a sharp pain shot through his lower stomach and one hand went to hold it...tears coming to his eyes. He was trying so hard to be strong...but he didn't like pain...and he HATED being sick...and put the two together was even worse.

Justin lightly kissed the corner of Nick's mouth as he held the cool compress to his head. "Mel's gonna go with you to the hospital," Justin said quietly. "Cuz...I can't," he said in a near-whisper...feeling bad.

Hearing Justin say that, Nick shook his head like crazy. "No...I don't want to go." He said tears running down his cheeks...not able to help it anymore.

"Baby...you have to go," Justin said in a soft, soothing voice. "If you have some kind of infection, you need antibiotics...or fluids if all this puking dehydrated you."

"I wana stay with you." Nick whispered, his lip quivering. He knew he was being clingy and acting childish...but he felt safe with Justin and he was scared.

"I know. But Nick...Melanie will take good care of you, and she'll call me as soon as she knows what's going on with you...and...if I can...I'll come by later."

Nick sniffled and leaned over barring his face in Justin's neck. "If you can come later...then why can't you come now?"

Justin sighed quietly. "You still don't understand, Nick. She's gonna let me know how things are there...if the atmosphere's safe. Baby...everyone knows I'm in this city, so me going somewhere like that is risky."

Nick nodded his head. "Okay...I'm sorry...I don't mean to be a pain." He said, feeling like he was being a burden.

Justin kissed Nick's chin. "You're not. Now stop saying that."

Nick pulled back moving away from Justin a little. "I don't want to get you sick." He said softly.

"Don't worry about me," Justin said...carefully starting to help Nick out of the bathroom. "Do you have insurance?"

"I did...but without having a job right now...I don't anymore." Nick said with a groan when his stomach cramped up again.

"OK...I'ma give you my credit card."

Nick turned to look at Justin a small smile on his lips...but it wasn't anywhere close to what it normally would be. "Thank you...for helping me."

Justin took a deep breath as he sat Nick on the bed. "I just wish I could do more," he said...going to his wallet to get a credit card out, then stopping. "Ya know what...forget it. I'll just have Mel us her WEG corporate card...cuz they probably won't take mine from you, anyway."

"You're what?" Nick asked confused, as he reached for his sweats that were sitting on the bed and attempted to put them on.

"A company card...we all have one."

"Oh...gotcha." Nick said as he stood up slowly to pull his sweats up....then sat back down to put on the matching sweatshirt. "It will be kind of nice...to have my own money and stuff again." He said softly. "So I'm not mooching off of you all the time."

"I don't look at it like that."

Nick smiled a little as he sat there, feeling rather helpless. "Okay...good."

"You all set to go?" Justin asked as he approached the bed.

His smile turned into a pout. "I don't wana go...I don't like hospitals." Nick whimpered.

"Nothin bad's gonna happen...I promise."

Nick sighed and nodded.

"You'll get some medicine...or...whatever you need...and then go back to your room and rest all day and night."

Nick nodded again as he shivered, holding his stomach, He bit his lower lip to try and fight off the nauseous feeling that snuck up on him again.

"You OK?" Justin asked...looking at Nick's face as he rested his hand on his back.

Nick started to nod his head again but quickly shook it. "I feel...like I'm gunna...get sick again." He said quickly, swallowing.

Justin stood up. "So go to the bathroom."

Nick was glad the room wasn't that big and he still could get up and walk as quick as he could and make it to the bathroom in time to fall in front of the toilet again.

Justin put his head in his hands and sighed. He wished this wasn't happening. He wanted Nick to have a good vacation.

After a few minutes, Nick walked slowly back into the bedroom again, holding onto his poor abused stomach. "Somebody kill me know." he groaned as he sat back down on the bed.

"No...we're gonna fix you," Justin said...then got up at the knock on the door. "Must be Mel," he said...heading for the door. "No one else would dare knock on my door at five in the morning."

"I will remember that." Nick said with another groan as he put a hand to his head. It was pounding like crazy, making him light headed.

Justin gave Mel a quick hug and kiss as he let her in...making sure to thank her. "What's wrong, Nicky baby?" she asked as she walked over to Nick.

Nick looked up when he heard Mel talking to him. "Somebody up there hates me." He said pointing upward with a weak hand.

Mel pouted. "No...that's not true. Now come on...let's go get you fixed up," she said...reaching out a hand to Nick.

Taking her hand, Nick stood up and looked over at Justin with sad eyes. He did understand why Justin couldn't come...but that didn't mean he wasn't sad about it...and wished fans would just go to hell.

Justin gave Nick a quick kiss on the cheek. "Good luck."

"I'll be okay." Nick said to Justin as he let Mel lead him to the door.

"I'll take care of him, baby," Mel called to Justin as she led Nick out of the room and down to the waiting car.

Justin watched them get in the elevator, then sighed as he closed the door. He wished there was something he could do for Nick, and he felt like shit when he went to throw himself on the bed.

A new batch of tears fell down Nick's cheeks as he stood in the elevator. He wanted Justin so bad right then. He felt like a little boy wanting his mother...but in a way it was kind of like that. Justin was his support...the one person he trusted more then anything.

Mel gave Nick's arm a squeeze when she saw him getting upset. "We'll be back before you know it, hun," she said quietly.

Nick sniffled, and reached up to wipe the tears away. He really didn't know Mel that well and was embarrassed she was seing him like this.

Mel sighed as she took Nick's hand again and led him out of the elevator. "Come on...let's get this over with."

******@*****

Mel slowly enetered the exam room Nick was in as soon as the doctor told her he was done seeing him...and he needed to stay a while to get an IV treatment. She smiled at Nick laying back on the bed. "How ya feeling?"

"A little better." Nick said softly. "I hate getting IV's though...they can never find my vains...I feel like a pin cushion."

Mel nodded as she stopped by the bed and folded her arms over her chest. "I know what you mean. So...what'd the doctor say?"

Nick sighed. "I've got this really bad strain of the flu that is going around. I shouldn't get sick much past tonight...but I'll be weak for a few days."

Mel nodded. "The doctor told me you can leave as soon as this IV's done...in an our or so...if you feel up to it."

"That's good...I want to go back." Nick said softly...feeling sad again.

Mel nodded. "I know. Know what...I'll go call Justin and let him know what's going on, OK?"

Nick just nodded his head as he rested back against the pillow and sighed.

Mel leaned down to give Nick a friendly kiss on the forehead, then walked out through the Emergency room to go outside and call Justin on her cell phone.

A few tears slipped from Nick's eyes as he lied there looking up at the ceiling. He seriously hated hospitals they made him feel vulnerable and scared him. The few times he had been...his family had been with him or at least his brother. Now, even though Mel was there...he felt very alone.

Melanie returned to Nick's room after a few minutes, and smiled at him as she pulled a chair up to his bed and sat down. "Justin says he misses you," she said quietly. "He's worried about you...and thinking about you...and said to call him again if you don't get out of here after your IV. He's about to do a magazine interview in his suite right now...figured it would help distract him."

"I'm glad he's got something to do." Nick said softly as he licked his dry lips.

Mel watched Nick lick his lips, and noticed how dry they were. "Want some Chapstick?" she asked as she started fishing through her purse.

Nick shook his head. "I don't want to get you sick, too...I probably already got Justin sick...and then everything is screwed up."

Mel shook her head as she pulled her tiny tub of Blistex out of her purse. "Just stick your finger in," she said to Nick as she unscrewed the cap and handed it toward Nick. "And don't worry about Justin. He hardly ever gets sick. I swear the guy is immune to everything."

Nick giggled slightly as he got some of the chapstick on his finger and then put it on his lips. "I used to never get sick either."

"Could be from anything," Mel pointed out as she put the tiny tub back in her purse. "You're probably overtired...then there's the time change thing...and I guess getting sick is always a risk in a foreign country. Your body's not used to it."

"Either that or I'm allergic to Justin." Nick giggled again. "I've been sick three times since I knew him. The first time cuz I walked 2 hours in the snow to see his concert...which in fact got him to feel sorry for me so he invited me to Boston with you guys. The second time when he went to California after he found out about Kelly and the baby. And now."

Mel laughed. "Could be that, too. The boy is a bit like a disease sometimes."

Thinking about Justin, made Nick sad all over again and he sighed, reaching up to wipe a tear he felt coming. He was always an emotional person but it was worse when he was sick.

"Why you crying, hun?" Mel asked as she took a hold of Nick's hand.

"I want, Justin." Nick whispered and sniffed, sounding like a little boy.

Mel smiled. That was sweet. "We'll be back at the hotel in an hour, hun...and I'm sure he'll hang out with you til he has to leave for the arena."

Nick nodded his head and sniffled again. "Y...yeah."

Mel leaned a little closer to the bed so that she could talk with Nick more privately with all the people passing by and in and out of the multi-patient room. "So things with you and Justin...they're good?"

A small smile spread across Nick's face and he nodded again. "Yeah...they are. I mean...we still have our moments and stuff."

Mel shrugged. "Every couple does."

"Exactly...in a way the problems make me feel good...cuz it's like real ya know."

Mel nodded. "I know what you mean. Just don't let it get TOO real, ya know? I mean...work through your problems...never go to bed mad."

Nick thought about what Mel was saying and nodded. "I know...we try to work through what is bugging us. Our main problems are just adjusting issues. I'm adjusting to being the boyfriend of somebody famous...and he's adjusting to a boyfriend in general."*

"Yeah...that makes total sense. And I'm sure they're both very difficult things to get used to."

"Yeah..." Nick said with a sigh. "Like right now...I wish he was here." He admitted. "I mean don't get me wrong...thank you so much for coming with me...it's just not the same."

"I know. But...it'd be totally out of control for him to be here right now. I mean...EVRYONE knows he's in the city...and did you see all the kids in the waiting room?"

Nick nodded his head. "I understand why he can't."

"But ya know...if you HAD ended up getting forced to stay in this hell hole...he'd make it a point to come for at least a little while."

Nick smiled a little and nodded. "I know he wants to be here...that's all that matters."

Mel smiled...squeezing Nick's hand a bit. "OK...as long as you know that."

Glancing up at the IV bag, Nick sighed. "I wana go home...can this thing go any faster?"

"I'd tamper with it for you, but I think that's like a felony or something."

Nick giggled. "Yeah and you'd probably like kill me or somethin."

"I doubt it. It's just that sugar water shit to hydrate you."

"But you never know....hospitals are evil." Nick smirked.

"I don't like em either."

"I think you would have to wonder about somebody if they did."

"That's true."

Nick groaned and looked up at the ceiling. He was feeling a little better but his stomach was still killing him.

Mel continued to make conversation to keep Nick's mind off his discomfort. "So have you been enjoying your time here in London?"

"I haven't really gotten to see much of it. Only went out the one day we saw you and Ed."

"Well you've still got time."

Nick nodded. "Yeah...I do."

"I'll take you out one day. I mean...if you want."

Smiling, Nick nodded again. "That would be cool...getting to go around town with a beautiful girl like yourself."

Mel laughed and brushed off Nick's comment with a wave of her hand. "Oh stop."

"Hey...I'm gay not blind." Nick giggled.

"Well thanks," Mel said...her fair cheeks blushing a bit as she pushed the stray corkscrew curl that escaped her puffy ponytail out of her face. "You're sweet."

"So, I've been told."

"It's true...believe it."

"Is it just me or is there something going on with Kel and Eddie?" Nick asked out of the blue.

"Why would you say that?" Mel asked...wondering how much Nick knew, and how he knew it.

"I hear him blowing off going out with Marty and the other guys...and when I came to give him his sweatshirt back last night he was drunk but also talking to Kelly on the phone."

Mel shrugged. "They're friends. I'm sure he talks to her once and a while just like you and I do."

"Maybe..."

Mel shrugged again. "I don't know...guess we'll have to see what happens."

"As long as Eddie doesn’t turn gay...she's good to go." Nick giggled.

Mel laughed and rolled her eyes. "That's all she needs, right?"

"At least I didn't turn gay on her...I was from the beginning." Nick giggled smiling and then got a funny look on his face. "Then again...that could be worse." he laughed.

Mel laughed. "Could be."

Nick glanced up at the IV again and smiled wide. "Ohhh...it's done...now I wana go."

"Well hang on...they gotta come take it out."

"Hrmph." Nick grumbled, pouting.

Mel smiled as she got up. "I'll go let the nurse know," she said...heading out of the room to the hall.

******@*****

"OK...now I'm gonna go so you can get some rest," Mel said as she finished fluffing Nick's pillows and tucking him in. "Justin said he'll be here as soon as his interview's over. I'm gonna take your key so he can let himself in."

Nick smiled up at Mel. "Thank you for being there for me today."

"No problem...any time. Do you need anything before I leave?" she asked...handing Nick his cell phone and the TV remote.

"Nope...I think I'm just gunna take a nap until Justin comes." Nick said, his eyes already drooping.

"OK," Mel said...leaning down to kiss Nick's cheek. "I'll see you later."

"Bye, bye."

"Bye," Mel said as she headed out of Nick's room and to her own.

Nick sighed and closed his eyes, falling right to sleep.

It was close to two in the afternoon by the time Justin finished his interview, and finally let himself into Nick's room. He closed the door quietly, then walked over to carefully sit on the edge of the bed.

Nick was still out like a light, breathing with his mouth open and snoring lightly.

Justin smiled at the cute, sleepy look on Nick's face, and gently ran a hand through his hair as he leaned down to kiss his forehead.

Feeling somebody touching his air, Nick's eyes blinked open and he smiled big when he saw Justin sitting there. "Hi." He said in a gruff voice.

"Hey," Justin said quietly as he looked into Nick's eyes. "How you feeling? You look much better. You were green before."

"I feel better...I'm just really sore and tired." Nick replied. "And green...well that is my favorite color." he tried to joke.

"But you definitely didn't look healthy."

"I was really dehydrated. It took them like three IV baggy things to finally get me where I should be."

"And you're OK, now...right?" Justin asked...still gently combing his hand through Nick's hair. "I mean...that's what Mel said."

Nick nodded his head. "Yeah...I'll be okay." He said with a small smile. "I guess I just pushed myself too much yesterday...since I had been feeling icky since we woke up for you to leave for your lunch thing." He admitted finally.

Justin nodded. "Well...next time you feel like shit, let me know right away so I can get you what you need...and make sure you get rest."

"I know...I was stupid. But I really wasn't feeling really bad until before the concert. God I felt like I was in an igloo."

Justin took a deep breath. "Well...you're OK now."

Nick smiled and nodded. "Yup...I'm okay...thanks to you and Mel."

"She's a great girl...I knew I could count on her."

Nick nodded his head. "Yeah...she was great."

"Good...I'm glad. I'm sorry I couldn't go, though."

"Don't worry about I understand, baby."

Justin smiled. "Thanks. So...can I get you anything? Something to eat or drink?"

"I'm only supposed to have liquids for the rest of the day." Nick said with a groan. "And I think first step is flat sprite...or something lemon limeish."

Justin laughed as he got up to go to the minibar. "OK...got it," he said...getting out a can of Sprite, opening it, and setting it on the table. "Let it sit for a bit.”

"I was telling Mel that I think I'm allergic to you." Nick giggled.

Justin chuckled. "Isn't THAT great," he said...sitting on the edge of the bed again.

"Well...It was true when I told you I never get sick...and now look I've been sick three times."

"You cursed yourself."

Nick thought about that and giggled. "OH...true."

Justin laughed. "No more getting sick after this...OK?"

"I didn't mean to." Nick pouted.

" I know...but you're more fun healthy."

Nick giggled. "I like being healthy better too."

"So there...no more getting sick, then."

"I will try my hardest." Nick said, smiling up at Justin, looking him in the eyes.

Justin smiled back. "OK...good."

"Thank you for taking care of me."

"Not a problem at all. It's kinda my job, isn't it?" Justin asked with a laugh.

"True...but still...thanks." Nick smiled as he attempted to sit up in bed, tired of lying down.

"You should lay down, shouldn't you?"

"I've been lying down for hours my back hurts." Nick pouted. "I was just gunna sit up in bed."

"OK...if you feel like it," Justin said...moving over a bit to make it easier for Nick to move.

Nick got sitting up and the pillows situated around him. "It's going to be weird here when everybody is gone."

"Watch TV, or sumthin...order up a movie. I'll come see you when I get back."

"You don't have to...you'll be tired."

"I can at least come say goodnight...and make sure you're OK."

Nick smiled and nodded. "We can do things backwards...you can tuck ME in."

"OK...sounds good."

"How did your interview go?"

Justin shrugged. "Same as always," he said...checking his watch.

"When do you gota go?" Nick asked softly.

Justin sighed. "In a few minutes. It's almost time to leave for sound check."

Nick nodded sadly as he glanced at the clock seeing it was about that time. "I hope you have a good show."

Justin nodded. "Me too. I'm sorry you have to miss it."

"I've got many more to see." Nick said, trying to see the bright side of the whole thing.

Justin laughed. "Yes you do...more than two more weeks worth."

"Yay...I get to watch you shake your bootie for two more weeks."

"You and all my other mad crazy fans."

"Yes but I get to see you shake you bootie off stage too." Nick giggled.

Justin chuckled...blushing a bit. "Well that's true."

"I hope the other fans don't see that."

"Definitely not. Not anymore, anyway," Justin teased.

That made Nick think of something. "Did you take fans back to your room?" He asked out of curiosity.

Justin shook his head. "Nope...never."

"Really?" Nick asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Why's that so hard to believe?"

"It's not really...I was just thinking I feel sorry for all those girls out there with signs saying they want your baby." Nick giggled.

Justin laughed. "Yeah...or the ones that wanna marry me."

"Yup...and I can do neither of those things." Nick laughed.

Justin laughed again...shaking his head.

"I remember one NSYNC concert I went to...there was this girl holding a sign up next to me that said something like 'Justin fuck Joey for me.' or something insane like that." Nick said making a face.

Justin widened his eyes. "Whoa. I missed THAT one."

Nick giggled. "One of the girls moms like in front of her or something made her take it away cuz of the bad language."

"Yeah...shit like that don't fly at an NSYNC concert."

"Well it shouldn't...I wouldn't want my seven year old daughter seeing stuff like that." Nick pointed out.

"You have a seven year old daughter?"

Nick laughed and shook his head. "NO...well not that I know of."

Justin laughed. "OK...good."

"If my child was alive he or she would be almost ten." Nick said as an after thought.

"Kind of unbelievable, huh?"

Nick nodded his head. "That makes me feel old." he giggled.

Justin laughed...then sighed quietly. "I need to get going. You gonna be OK?"

"Yeah...I'll be fine." Nick said with a small, sad smile.

"Don't be sad," Justin said...leaning down to give Nick a quick kiss on the lips. "I'll be back before you know it...and you'll probably sleep the whole time."

Nick nodded his head as tears came back on their own that he quickly tried to wipe away. "I know...have fun."

Justin sighed. "Please don't cry."

"I'm not." Nick lied. He didn't want Justin feeling bad...because he wasn't mad at him or upset that he was leaving...he was just being an emotional mess.

"Yes you are...don't lie."

"I'm sorry....I'm not meaning to." Nick sniffled.

"I know...but it still makes me sad."

Nick put on his best smile as he still had tears falling down his cheeks. "I'm okay...now scat...go you've got fans to entertain."

"I know...but you're more important."

"No I'm not." Nick shook his head.

"Oh yes you are," Justin said almost sternly.

Nick smiled as he wiped at his face again. "But you mean so much to the fans."

"And YOU mean so much to ME."

"You mean so much to me too." Nick whispered, moving over to rest his head on Justin's shoulder...really not wanting him to leave.

"But...I have to go, though..."

Nick nodded his head. "I know...I would beat you up if you stayed."

"I can't have that."

Nick giggled. "Nope...wouldn't want that."

"Get some sleep," Justin said...then kissed Nick again.

"Okay...and shake your ass for me." Nick giggled.

"Oh I will...don't worry."

"Yes you have too much fun doing it." Nick laughed again as he moved his head from Justin's shoulder.

Justin chuckled as he got up off the bed. "OK...now rest...and I'll stop by later...OK?"

Nick smiled. "Yes, daddy."

"Eww...don't."

Nick laughed out loud. "Love you...now go."

Justin laughed on his way out the door. "Later."

Sighing, Nick leaned back against his pillows. He wasn't tired yet and needed something to do.

Seeing his cell phone sitting next to the TV remote, Nick picked it up and dialed Kelly's number...not thinking about what time it was for her.

Kelly heard her phone ringing and looked up from her book to the clock...immediately wondering who would be calling her at five thirty in the morning. She reached for her phone and smiled when she saw Nick's number on the caller ID. "Hi."

"Hey." Came Nick's still pretty weak voice. "What's up?"

"Not much. What's up with you?"

"I'm like way sick." Nick said with a groan. "It sucks."

"Oh no...what happened?"

"I got some strange strain of the flu spent the whole morning in the ER."

"Oh boy. You OK now?"

Nick nodded. "Yeah...just really tired and weak...but I was sleeping all afternoon I'm not really tired enough to go to sleep yet."

"Justin gone to the show already?"

"Yeah he just left a few minutes ago."

"How are things going? Besides being sick, I mean."

Nick smiled, thinking about how much Justin said he cared about him just a few minutes earlier. "Things are great actually."

Kelly smiled at that. "Good...I'm glad."

Nick looked at the clock and he finally realized what time it was in LA. "Whoa...did I wake you up?"

"No...I was up. Reading, actually."

"What are you doing up at five in the morning?"

"Five thirty," Kelly corrected with a chuckle. "I told you...I'm reading."

"You should be sleeping." Nick pointed out.

"Well I'm not."

"Obviously." Nick giggled.

"I've been having trouble sleeping."

"I know the feeling...I have too actually."

"Probably cuz you've been sick. Or were getting sick."

"Yeah...and I was kinda worried about stuff with Justin and I for a while too."

"But things are cool...right?"

"More then cool I think." Nick admitted with a small smile. "We're getting really close."

"Oh good," Kelly said excitedly. "I'm so glad."

"He just told me that I mean so much to him a few minute ago...I'm still feeling giddy." Nick giggled.

"Awww...that's so sweet," Kelly said...cuddling under the covers.

"So how are you? We didn't get to talk much last night."

"I'm OK...hangin in, I guess."

"That's good."

"Morning sickness sucks...and I'm nauseous half the day...but other than that..."

"Oh man that has gota suck...I can understand how that feels some what now." Nick laughed.

"Yeah...I guess you can."

"Since I'm gunna have to stay in my room for a while now...I'll call you and we can hang out on the phone together." Nick said with a smile.

"Sounds like a plan to me...since I have no life."

"I don't really either." Nick laughed.

"At least you have...people."

"Yeah I know."

"All I have is Trace...who calls me once a day to check in."

"Which probably feels more like a parent then a friend."

"Sometimes."

"You've been talking with Eddie though....right?" Nick asked, thinking about what he had Mel had been talking about.

"Umm...yeah...just about every day."

Nick smirked to himself. "Well...that's nice of him."

Kelly had to smile. "Yes...it is."

"Have you talked to Marty?"

"A couple times...just to say hi."

"Yeah...I haven't really talked to him much either. Except when I took him out the other day."

"Oh you did? Did you guys have fun?"

Nick nodded even though Kelly couldn't see him. "Yeah...we talked some...and I got my ears pierced."

"Sexy," Kelly said with a chuckle. "How's he really doing?"

"He's struggling." Nick admitted. "But he seems to be doing better the last few days."

"Good...I'm glad."

Nick yawned. "Yeah me too."

"Sounds like you need more sleep."

"No...I'm okay." Nick said with another yawn.

Kelly giggled. "You sure?"

All of a sudden feeling light headed and icky again, Nick sighed. "Maybe I should get some more sleep after all." He admitted.

"OK, baby. Take care of yourself...alright?"

"Okay...have a good rest of your day, Kel." Nick said before he hung up the phone and set it on the nightstand. Sighing, he curled under the covers and tried to get his head to stop pounding and spinning again.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

When he was sure that Kelly was finally asleep, Trace got up from his chair and walked out to the pay phone in the hallway. After putting his calling card number in, he dialed the familiar number to the Harless home in Tennessee.

Lynn got up from the couch and headed to the phone. "Hello?" She asked once she has answered it.

Trace took a deep breath. "Hi, Lynn...it's Trace."

"Hey honey...how are things in LA?" Lynn asked with a big smile on her face. Trace was like a second son to her.

Trace nervously rubbed his hand on his leg. "Lynn...they're not good," he said...not wanting to hold back.

Lynn swallowed hard. "Is Kelly okay?" She asked softly.

Trace swallowed hard, too. "No," he said softly...then took another deep breath. "She had a miscarriage."

Tears were already falling from Lynn's face before Trace actually got the words out. "Oh God...the poor girl...does Justin know?"

Lynn's eyes*

Trace sighed. "No. I...I don't know how to tell him. That's why I called you."

Lynn sighed as she took a seat on the couch again. "There really isn't any easy way to tell him. Would you like me to call him to tell him?"

"Could you...please? I think he should hear it from you...cuz Kelly definitely can't do it. Not now."

"That poor girl...all alone...well except for you." Lynn sighed. "I'll call him."

Trace pulled a slip of paper out of his pocket with a shaky hand. "I'll give you the number to her room. You can give it to J...and he can call her when he's ready."

"OKay." Lynn said as she wrote down the number when Trace gave it to her. "Keep her safe and tell her I'm praying for her." She sniffled.

"I will. And let J know we love him, OK?"

"I will...bye honey." Lynn hung up the phone and sighed. How was she supposed to tell her only son that he wasn't going to be a father anymore? Taking a deep breath she dialed his cell phone before she could think about it anymore.

Justin laughed out loud at something off the wall Eddie said, then sipped his beer as he reached into his pocket for his vibrating cell phone. "Hello?" he said into the phone as he walked out onto the balcony...away from the noise of the party.

Lynn took another deep breath when she heard Justin's voice on the other end of the phone. "Hey, honey." She said softly, knowing she couldn't hide the sadness in her voice.

"Hey mama. What's up?" Justin asked as he leaned against the railing. "Everything OK?"

Lynn knew she couldn't lie so she went with the truth. "Actually...no honey...I need to tell you something."

Justin stood up straight when he heard the tone of his mother's voice. "What is it, mama? Are you sick?"

"No...I'm okay...it's just..." Lynn sighed she didn't know how to say this. "It's Kelly."

Justin's stomach knotted immediately. "What happened to Kelly?" he asked quietly...terrified to hear the answer.

"There is no easy way to say this, Justin...but she...well she lost the baby, honey." Lynn said softly. "She had a miscarriage."

Justin's whole body started shaking, and he felt his eyes burning with tears. He felt like he'd been kicked in the gut. "She what?" he asked in a whisper.

"I'm so sorry, baby." Lynn said, as tears fell from her own eyes when she heard the tone of Justin's voice. "Trace called me a few minutes ago and told me."

"What?" Justin asked again...in a state of total disbelief. "No...its can't be," he said...shaking his head. "What happened? Are they sure?"

"I don't know details." Lynn replied. "Trace didn't tell me...just that he couldn't tell you and Kelly isn't in any position to."

"When can I talk to her?" Justin asked...knowing that Kelly was alone and scared.

"Give her some time, honey. She is probably resting and she needs it."

"I...I know...but I have to talk to her. How can I get in touch with her?" Justin asked nervously...setting his beer on the table and rubbing his hand over his head.

Lynn rattled off Kelly's phone number to him that Trace had given her.

"Hang on," Justin said...taking the phone from his ear to put the number in the phone book.

Lynn grabbed a tissue and blew her nose and wiped her eyes as she waited for Justin to come back.

Justin sighed shakily...closing his teary eyes. "Why, mama?" he asked...holding back a sob.

"I don't know, honey." Lynn said softly, wishing she could be there for Justin to hold him in her arms.

"God," Justin breathed out...letting out a quiet cry.

"Are you around other people?" Lynn asked, not wanting Justin alone.

"It's Marty's birthday," Justin replied...wiping his eyes. "We're having a party."

Lynn let out a long sigh. "Oh God...I'm so sorry this is happening honey."

"What am I gonna do? I mean...I know it's only been a few weeks...but I felt like I was ready for this...like I wanted this."

"I know...I was getting used to it too." Lynn admitted.

"I'm sorry for you too, mama," Justin said quietly.

"Don't be...I'm okay." Lynn said with a forced smile. There was a part of her that knew deep down this was probably her only chance at a grandchild.

Justin took a deep breath. "I'm gonna go, mama...I need time to think."

Lynn sighed. "Okay...call me again if you need to talk."

"I will…"I love you."

"I love you too baby...and don't be afraid to cry."

"OK. By mama."

"Bye, Justin."

Justin put his phone back into his pocket, and took a long deep breath before wiping his eyes and going inside to find Nick. Once he spotted him, he walked right up to him. "Hey."

Nick was standing by the bar area just getting a sprite when Justin walked up to him. "Hey."

Justin looked down at the floor. "I'm umm...gonna go to my room for a bit...OK?"

Nick automatically knew something was wrong. "Baby...what's wrong?" He asked softly, reaching up to tilt up Justin's chin. They were just among friends and it wasn't as if he was really being touchy feely either.

Justin quickly looked at Nick's eyes, then looked away again. "I just need some time...OK?" he said...hoping Nick would understand.

Nick knew Justin a lot better then he had a month ago and knew he needed to let Justin have his time alone. "Okay...but I have my phone so call me if you need me...okay?" He then thought of something. "You're feeling okay though...right?"

Justin nodded. "Yeah...talk to you later," he said before quickly finding his way out of the room, and down the hall to his suite.

Nick sighed, wondering what was going on.

*****@*****

A couple hours after he left the party, Justin finally called Nick's cell phone.

Nick had practically been freaking out all night but trying not to show it and jumped when his phone rang finally. Seeing it was Justin he took a deep breath and tried to answer it all calm like. "Hey, baby."

"Hey...where are you?"

"I'm still at the party...Eddie and Marty are trying to see how can chug shaken up beer without puking...it's nasty."

"Are they all wicked wasted?"

Nick glanced around the room and laughed. "I think there are like two people still standing up normally."

Justin sighed. "Please tell me those two people are Marty and Eddie."

"Uhhh...they are?" Nick said, wishing he could sound convincing.

"Damn. I really need to talk to them."

Nick still felt like he was missing a huge chunk of this puzzle. "Want me to get them?"

Justin sighed. "Yeah...can you come to my room with them, please?"

"Sure...we'll be there in a few minutes." Nick said softly, hating the way Justin sounded as he headed over to the two other guys who were acting like college frat kings.

Justin hung up his phone, and sank onto the couch with a sigh...hoping his friends were sober enough to deal with this.

Less then five minutes later, all three guys were standing in front of Justin's door and Nick knocked.

Justin got up and went to the door, hoping he was prepared to give his friends the information about Kelly. When he opened the door and saw the guys, he sighed. "Mel should be here, too," he said...suddenly realizing it.

"I'll go get her." Nick said as he pushed the semi wasted guys into the room. "Give these guys coffee."

Justin left the door open a bit so Nick could get back in, and took Marty and Eddie into the room. "Sit down," he told them...going over to the pot of coffee he'd made earlier and pouring two cups.

Eddie and Marty both sat down on the couch, wondering what was going on. "Uhh...Justin do you have decaf coffee?" He asked, knowing he couldn't have the caffeine. Marty asked*

"No...but I have decaf tea," Justin said as he brought Eddie a mug of coffee.

"Nah...I'm okay...thanks though." Marty said, watching the door wanting Nick to come back so he would know what was going on.

Eddie took the mug and took a sip of it.

Nick came back into the room with Mel next to him. "Okay, we're here."

"What's going on, J?" Mel asked nervously...sitting next to Eddie.

Nick automatically went to stand next to Justin, putting a hand on his back for comfort.

Justin stepped away from Nick to bring Mel the extra cup of coffee, then took a seat in the chair across from the couch...needing a little space. He took a deep breath before he spoke. "How drunk are ya'll?"

"I'm okay." Eddie replied

Marty nodded. "Me too."

Nick sighed and sat in another chair across from the couch.

"Justin...what's up? Why are we here?"

"Yeah...just tell us." Marty said quietly, already not liking this at all.

Justin took another deep breath. "It's Kelly."

Eddie almost spit his coffee out when he heard Justin say that. "Kelly...what's wrong?"

Eddie almost spit his coffee out when he heard Justin say that. "Kelly...what's wrong?"

Marty felt sick to his stomach. "Is she okay?"

Justin shook his head slowly. "She...umm..." he started...trying not to cry, even though his eyes were already tearing up. "...she had a...miscarriage. She lost the baby."

Mel's hand went over her mouth as she gasped.

Nick's eyes went wide, tears coming to his own eyes. "Oh God."

If Marty and Eddie were drunk at all they were totally sober now.

"What happened?" Marty asked softly.

Justin shook his head slowly. "I only talked to her for a couple minutes cuz she was too weak. Trace gave me most of the info. But...all I know is she started having bad pains, so she called Trace. He got there and she was all sweaty and shaking...and in so much pain." He paused to take a shaky breath...disturbed again by the image. He called an ambulance...and she started...bleeding...really bad...on the way to the hospital."

"Oh my God," Mel breathed out...her hand still over her mouth as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Eddie didn't even know what to say. He had just talked to her the night before...and was just going to call her. He just sat there quietly in shock.

Marty had tears rolling down his cheeks and his head in his hands. Deep down he couldn't help but think this was all his fault.

"Why won't God give the girl a fucking break!" Nick yelled, breaking the silence.

Mel shook her head...tears still falling. "I can't believe it."

Justin sighed a shaky sigh...a few of his tears falling. "Me neither," he said...staring off into space.

"I...I...I gota go." Eddie said quickly before he raced out of the room.

"Eddie...wait!" Justin called quickly.

Eddie paused in the door way, shaking like a leaf. He didn't turn back around but he did wait.

"Please don't go...I need you here," Justin said quietly...getting up and walking over to his friend. "We have some decisions to make."

Eddie swallowed hard and nodded his head. Taking a deep breath he walked back to the couch and sat down.

"One of us has to go be with her." Nick said softly.

Justin nodded as he, too, sat back down.

"But who?" Mel asked...wrapping her arm around Eddie and leaning her head on his shoulder.

"She insists that none of us go, of course," Justin said...running a hand over his head. "She made me swear up and down I won't cancel any shows."

Marty leaned into his other two friends so they were all kind of in a group hug of sorts and sighed. "Nick is the only one of us who doesn't have commitments here." He pointed out.

"Not of the job sort...no." Nick replied.

Justin looked over at Nick. "I don't want you to go," he admitted. "It might be selfish...but...I need you here."

Nick smiled a little. "That is what I meant...I have other commitments here that aren't part of a job."

Mel shook her head. "Nick shouldn't go...and J...you're not being selfish...and you DO need him. I mean...shit...this was YOUR baby, too," she said as if just realizing it. "Oh my God...Justin...I'm so sorry," she said...getting up and going over to hug Justin.

Justin hugged Mel tightly...tears falling down his cheeks.

"I don't think it would be very good if Mel went." Marty said again. "Sue still isn't as strong as we would like her to be with all the moves...so it would look even more off if we were missing one of our female dancers."

Justin sighed...still hugging Mel as she sat on his leg. "I wish we could just cancel everything and go the fuck home."

"But if Kel is upset...she might not heal as quickly." Nick said softly.

"I think, Ed should go." Marty said softly. "She doesn't need me there remembering all that happened before I left."

Eddie pulled back from where he was resting against Marty his eyes wide. "What...ME?"

"She doesn't need me there*

Mel looked at Eddie...her arms still around Justin in a comforting hug. "What do you think?"

"I...I...I don't know." Eddie stammered.

"Don't go if you don't want to," Justin said. "I'm thinking of asking my mom to go out to LA, anyway."

Eddie took a deep breath. "No...I want to...I just don't know what help I would be."

Marty patted his friend on the back. "You'll be a friendly face...and support."

Nick smiled and nodded his head...thinking that was the best choice too. "I agree."

"I wish we could all go," Mel said quietly. "But then again...we don't wanna overwhelm her."

"And she doesn't want us canceling anything." Marty pointed out.

Justin sighed. "She'll be pissed if I do."

"Which we don't need." Eddie said with a sigh of his own.

"That would make things even worse for her," Mel said thoughtfully.

"Right." Nick agreed.

"So, Ed going is our best bet." Marty said.

"Would you go, Eddie?" Justin asked desperately. He was so concerned for Kelly, and wanted her to have a familiar face around. "I mean...we can do the show minus a male dancer."

Eddie nodded his head. "Yes...I will go. I'll leave on the next plane out." He said, determined to not let Justin down and going to help the woman they both loved.

Justin let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you."

"I'm going to go call and get stuff ready." Eddie said, getting up again. This time walking over to Justin and giving him a big hug. "Don't worry...I'll take care of her."

Mel got off of Justin's lap so that he could get up and return Eddie's hug. "Thanks, man. Make sure she knows I love her, OK? And just...have her call when she feels up to it. I mean...I know you won't be there til like...fifteen hours from now...but I'm not gonna bother her."

"Of course." Eddie said after pulling back from the hug.

"Tell her I love her." Marty said softly.

Eddie nodded. "I'll tell you when I'm leaving." With that he walked out of the room and headed to his own.

Marty stood up and walked to Justin for a hug too. "I think I'm going to go help him pack and stuff...you gunna be okay, J?"

Justin nodded.

Mel hugged Justin again. "I'm gonna go with him. See you later, baby."

"Bye guys, Justin said sadly. "Thanks."

Marty waved as he led Mel out the door and shut it behind them.

Nick who had been quiet the whole last few minutes stood up and walked to stand in front of Justin, his bottom lip stuck under his teeth. "I'm sorry, baby." He said softly.

Justin shook his head slowly...looking down at the floor. "I can't believe it.”

Nick wasn't sure what he should do since Justin had shrugged off his touch before. So he just sat on the arm of the chair and ran his fingers over the back of Justin's neck. "I know...I can't either."

"That was my baby," Justin said...staring at the floor. "It's like...my baby died."

The words 'It did' came into Nick's head but he didn’t say that out loud instead he moved from where he was sitting and sat down on the floor by the chair. "Come here, honey." He said softly, wanting to hold Justin in his arms to comfort him.

Justin sank to the floor beside Nick...and started crying quietly as he leaned back against the chair.

Nick pulled Justin to him and rocked him in his arms. "It's okay to cry." He whispered as he placed soft gentle kisses to the top of Justin's head.

Justin started sobbing quietly as he fell into Nick's arms. He felt so lost...and hurt...and helpless.

Nick continued to hold onto Justin tightly and just let him cry. Whispering sweet comforting words trying to make him feel better...when he really didn't know what to do.

Justin had been crying for several minutes when he finally stopped...pulling away from Nick and wiping his eyes and nose with his sleeve.

Even though Justin pulled back, Nick left a comforting hand on Justin's thigh as if a way to say he was still there. He just waited for Justin to say something.

"I just want to go to bed," Justin said with a sniffle...not wanting to talk about anything.

Nick nodded his understanding. "Okay...would you like me to stay or would you rather be alone?" He asked gently.

"Stay please."

"Okay." Nick got up off the floor and gently helped Justin up off the floor and led him to the bedroom.

Justin let go of Nick's hand once they were in the bedroom. "I'ma use the bathroom," he said, then went in and locked the door.

Nick sighed, feeling so terrible for Justin and he wished there was more he could do. Taking a deep breath he took the time to take off his jeans and t-shirt.

Justin used the toilet and washed up, and the next thing he knew, he found himself sinking to the floor...a sobbing mess.

Nick could hear Justin sobbing but stayed sitting on the edge of the bed because he knew Justin had locked himself in.

Justin pulled his knees up to his chest and buried his face in his hands as he cried...just needing to get it out.

Needing to do something to keep him busy so he wouldn't go knocking down the bathroom door, Nick folded down the bed and turned off the over head light leaving only one of the night stands on. He then laid out some sweats for Justin to put on and made sure his boyfriend's favorite blanket and pillow were in place from when the maids moved things around.

When Justin stopped crying, he dropped his head back against the counter with a quiet thud...his face soaked with tears as he stared off into the room.

Once he had done everything he could think of doing in the bedroom, Nick thought about getting Justin some water for when he came out and headed into the main room. Going ot the mini fridge he got out a bottle of water and carried it back into the bedroom.

Justin sat there taking deep breaths as he tried to calm himself. He was a nervous wreck...worried about Kelly, and sick over the loss of his baby.

After it had been like ten minutes, Nick was getting worried. Taking a deep breath he walked over to the bathroom door. "Are you okay, baby?" He asked softly.

Justin sniffled. "Yeah."

Nick leaned his head against the door. "Can I come in?"

"Just gimme a few more minutes...OK?"

"Okay...take all the time you need." Nick said softly as he backed away from the door and went to go sit in a chair by the window. Pulling the curtains back a little he stared out into the dark January night.

About a half hour had passed by the time Justin had washed his face again, and came back out into the bedroom.

Nick was wrapped up in his own thoughts when Justin came out of the bathroom that he didn't even hear him...just continued to look out the window.

Justin took a glance at Nick, and left him to his thoughts as he went to the bed and changed into the sweats Nick had left out for him.

Hearing Justin moving around the room shook Nick from his thoughts and he turned to look over at him. "Feeling better?" He asked softly.

Justin shook his head. "Not really," he said...crawling into the bed and hugging his pillow and blanket to his chest.

Feeling so bad for Justin, Nick got up from the chair and walked over to the bed getting in himself. "I would make the pain go away in a second if I could." He whispered.

"You can't," Justin said with a sniffle. "And if I feel THIS bad...imagine how Kelly must feel."

"Just because you don't have the physical pain...doesn't mean you aren't equel in the emotional pain." Nick pointed out. "You both loved that baby very much."

"Love that baby very much." Nick corrected himself.

"I didn't realize how much...cuz it's only been a few weeks."

"You have one of the biggest hearts I know...it only takes you a matter of seconds to love something." Nick said softly.

"I guess so," Justin said...then sniffled again. "I'm glad Eddie's going to go be with her...even if I wish it could be me."

Nick nodded his head. "Yeah me too...he's a good pick...Marty was right."

"Yeah...but I think I'm still gonna ask my mom to go...cuz she needs someone...like that."

Nick nodded again. "Yeah I agree." Thinking of Lynn, he sighed. "How did your mom take the news?"

"She acted like she was just concerned about me...but I know she was upset."

"If I'm upset and sad...then I'm sure she will be...it's part of her family." Nick said with a sigh.

"She was excited about having a grandchild."

"And she still can."

"Yeah...but not this one," Justin said sadly...closing his teary eyes.

"Yeah...you're right..." Nick said, lying down and pulling Justin to him. "I know what you mean." He said in almost a whisper.

Justin took a long, deep breath...trying to relax and let sleep find him.

Nick reached around Justin and gently started to rub his stomach, knowing it would calm him.

******@*****

Eddie didn't even stop home first before he went to the hospital. He looked down at the paper in his hand again and headed up to the third floor and then down the hall to room 308. Finding the room he slowly opened it.

Trace...sitting in a chair by the bed...looked over toward the door when he heard it open. When he saw it was Eddie, he immediately got up and walked over to him. "What's up, man?" he asked quietly. "Justin told me you were coming into town."

Eddie gave Trace a friendly hug and then looked towards the bed. "How is she?" He asked quietly

Trace shrugged and shook his head. "I don't know. I've only been here a few hours, and she's been asleep the whole time. Lynn was here all night. She said they sedated her to get her to stop crying and get some sleep." He sighed quietly as he looked over at Kelly...curled up in a fetal position on her side.

Eddie felt tears come to his eyes when he heard with Trace had told him...and just seeing Kelly like that was so sad. "God...the poor thing."

Trace nodded. "I know," he said...then turned back to Eddie. "How's Justin really doing? I talked to him late last night, but he didn't say much about himself...just talked about Kelly." Trace stopped talking and shook his head. "What am I talking about? You haven't seen in in almost a day."

"Yeah I haven't talked to anybody since I left...I came right here from the airport." Eddie said, still looking over at Kelly.

Trace nodded. "Lynn pretty much got on a plane right after she heard, too. Didn't even tell J she was coming."

"Does he know now?"

Trace nodded again. "I told him when I talked to him," he said through a yawn.

"Since you were the last one to talk to him...how is he?" Eddie asked, his eyes still on Kelly. "Nick's sticking by him?"

"Yeah...he was with him when he called."

Eddie let out a sigh of relief. "Good."

"Listen man? Are you gonna be here for a while? Cuz if you are...I think I'ma go home and crash for a bit. I didn't exactly sleep last night."

"I'm not going any place." Eddie said, even though he too hadn't slept at all in like the last day or so.

"OK...call me if you need me, though...and Lynn's at Justin's place."

Eddie smiled a small smile and nodded as he went to sit in the chair by Kelly's bed. "I'll call."

Trace walked over the bed and bent down to kiss Kelly's cheek, then gave Eddie's shoulder a friendly squeeze. "Take it easy, man."

"You too." Eddie said, still sounding distracted because he was watching Kelly.

Trace slipped quietly out of the room...leaving Eddie alone with Kelly.

Once Trace was gone, Eddie sat up in his chair more and leaned over to press a soff kiss to Kelly's cheek too. "Hey girl..." He whispered, not really meaning for her to wake up..but he wanted her to know he was there.

Kelly didn't move at all. She was deep in the last stages of the sleep that the drugs from the previous night had brought to her. The only sounds in the room were the quiet beeping noises of the heart monitor and the IV drip machine.

"Everybody is praying for you, Kel." Eddie continued to talk. "Everybody wanted to come but we knew you would have our balls if we did."

Kelly groaned quietly in her sleep...subconsciously hearing the voice close by...but not waking up.

"Marty sends his love." Eddie said as he reached to hold her hand.

Kelly's reflexes were working in her sleep, and her hand automatically gave Eddie's a very gentle squeeze.

Eddie had tears in his eyes by the time he was done talking. He sniffled and continued to hold Kelly's hand quietly for a little while.

Kelly's eyelids fluttered a few times as she groaned again, although they didn't open. He body was starting to fight the sleep.

Eddie just continued to watch and hold her hand. Wondering what as going on in her dreams.

With a strained sigh, Kelly finally started waking up. She moved around under the blanekt a bit...moaning quietly in pain...but still didn't open her eyes.

"Kel.." Eddie tried talking again. "Baby...wake up."

Kelly groaned quietly, and finally lifted her heavy eyelids. She just looked at Eddie silently...trying to remember where she was and what was going on.

Eddie smiled a little when he saw her looking at him. "Hey."

Kelly's face took on a confused look, and she blinked her eyes a few times...her mind still clouded from the medication.

Eddie could tell she was still confused and so he just held her hand and let her get a chance to wake up.

"What are you doing here?" Kelly asked in a soft, dry, scratchy voice.

"I came to see you."

"Why?"

"Because you needed a friend." Was Eddie's reply...he could tell Kelly couldn't really remember what happened...and wasn't really sure what to say.

Kelly closed her eyes with a pained groan. "It hurts so bad," she whispered...curling her body up tighter.

"I can get the nurse to see if you can get more pain medicine." Eddie said softly.

Kelly shook her head...then opened her eyes as wide as she could...which was only about half way. "Oh my God," she said softly. "My baby. Eddie...my baby's gone," she said...tears spilling from her eyes as if she just remembered what had happened.

Eddie felt terrible for her so he just held her hand tighter and let her cry.

"I killed him...I let him die..." Kelly said in her hoarse voice as she cried.

"No...Kel...baby you did nothing to make this happen...do you hear me?" Eddie said fermly.

"He was inside me...it HAD to be me."

"But there was nothing you could do...God just had other plans for him is all."

"Justin..." Kelly said with a sob. "Oh, God...Justin must hate me."

Eddie shook his head quickly and hard. "Oh no he doesn't hate you...he wanted to be here so badly right now to make you feel better...to love you."

"He can't," Kelly said with a sniffle. "The tour. Oh Eddie...the tour. What are YOU doing here?"

"They can survive with one less dancer."

"I ruined everything."

"You did nothing like that." Eddie said stroking Kelly's hand with his fingers.

Kelly took a deep, shaky breath. "I can't believe this...is happening. I mean...I know I've only knew for a few weeks...but...I loved that baby," she said...and started sobbing. Her heart monitor started beeping a bit faster as she got worked up.

"Shh...Kel." Eddie said softly. "I know you did."

"Now...the baby's gone," Kelly said...sobbing a bit harder.

This was when Eddie was beginning to believe he wasn't the best person to come. He didn't know how to help Kelly feel better.

A young nurse came into the room and went straight to check Kelly's heart monitor. "Is everything OK in here?" she asked quietly.

"She just got really upset when she remembered what happened." Eddie answered softly.

The nurse nodded...moving on to check the IV drip. "Try and keep her calm. If not...we'll give her something to help relax her."

Eddie nodded, feeling like he had screwed things up more then made them better

Kelly sighed sadly as the nurse left. "Thank you for coming," she whispered...squeezing Eddie's hand with what little strength she had.

"I wouldn't be any place else in the world."

"I couldn't believe it when I woke up and you were here."

"I'm sure I look like shit." Eddie chuckled.

Kelly shook her head just a bit. "You look so good to me right now...I can't even tell you," she said weakly...her eyes filling with tears again.

Eddie smiled as he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. "Everybody back in London wishes they were here." He knew he told her that already but she had been asleep.

"They can't be. YOU shouldn't even be."

"Yes I SHOULD. One of my best friends is hurt and in the hospital. They can do the show without me." Eddie said firmly.

"They'll miss you, though," Kelly said...looking into Eddie's eyes through her own half-closed eyelids.

"They have each other...you have nobody."

"Trace was here," Kelly said...then thought for a second. "And Lynn?" It came out as a question, as she wasn't sure if she'd remembered correctly or dreamt it.

Eddie smiled and nodded. "Yeah, Lynn is here from what Trace tells me. I haven't seen her yet. She's staying at Justin's."

"See? So you didn't have to come, then," Kelly said before she coughed a couple times. She'd told Justin she didn't want anyone to leave the tour, and she'd meant it. She didn't want to screw up the tour anymore than she already had.

Eddie sighed, still making sure he held onto Kelly's hand. "I know you didn't want somebody to leave...but they wont miss me. The guys can dance just as well without me as they can with me*

Kelly sighed as a few more tears escaped her eyes. "I'm so glad you're here," she finally admitted before sobbing a few times.

"And like I said before...I wouldn't be any place else."

The nurse came back in after a moment, and approached the side of the bed. "You're getting your heart a little too worked up, honey," she said...reaching for Kelly's hand to check her pulse.

Eddie bit his lower lip, never letting go of Kelly's other hand as he watched the nurse.

"I'm going to give her something to calm her down," the nurse said...looking at Eddie as she pulled a syringe out of her pocket. "It shouldn't necessarily make her sleep, but it will calm her nerves a little and help her relax. The crying's a little too much of a strain on her heart right now."

Eddie nodded his head, swallowing hard when he saw the syringe. "What's wrong with her heart?" He asked softly.

The nurse shook her head as she injected the medication into Kelly's IV. "Nothin's wrong with her heart. She just lost a lot of blood, and it's already working overtime to pump blood through her body...so any extra strain isn't good."

"Oh." Was all Eddie said. The whole thing still made him a bit uneasy. Kelly wasn't weak ever and it scared him a bit to see her like this.

The nurse smiled at Eddie after checking all of Kelly's monitors. "I'll be back to check on her later."

Once the nurse was gone, Eddie looked back and Kelly and smiled. "You're a lot stronger then I would ever be."

"Why?" Kelly asked with a sniffle after having kept quiet the whole time the nurse was in the room. She didn't like hospitals, and she hated the fact that she needed all these different medications.

"You just are." Eddie said softly. "You've gone through more then your fair share of shit the last few months...but you're still pulling through."

Kelly sniffled again and reached up her shaky hand to wipe at her eyes. "I almost feel like I wish I died, too," she admitted quietly.

Eddie had tears in his own eyes when he heard Kelly saying that. "No...don't you dare say that. There are SO many people that love you SO much that would miss you just as much."

Kelly shook her head a bit. "But my baby, Ed," she said...fresh tears falling. "I loved that baby already. And Justin...I know Justin did, too. How will he ever forgive me for this? I'd rather be dead than have him hate me."

"Well...you don't have to worry about that, Kel...cuz he doesn't hate you." Eddie said softly, tears actually falling from his eyes now. "He is so worried about you, baby. I don't think I've ever seen him cry up until yesterday."

"He cried because his baby's dead."

"Of course he did...cuz like you said he loved it too...but that doesn’t mean he hates you."

Kelly took a deep, shaky breath and closed her eyes. That was how she felt, but she didn't have it in her to argue about it.

Eddie smiled softly as he reached his other hand up to wipe at his own tears.

Kelly opened her eyes back up to look at Eddie's face. "Don't cry."

"I'm not meaning to." Eddie said softly

"It makes me sad...to see you crying."

Eddie took a deep breath and wiped his eyes again. "Okay...see no more tears."

Kelly smiled. "Good."

Eddie smiled back. "Trace went to go sleep some...but I'm sure he'll be back later on to see you...and Lynn too."

Kelly nodded. "That's OK. You're here now...that's all that matters. I wanna be with you." Her voice was getting a bit softer and weaker, and her tears had stopped...her medication already taking effect.

"And I'm not going any place...they're going to have to literally kick me out before I leave." Eddie whispered, squeezing her hand lightly.

Kelly managed another smile. "Tell me about London," she said...even though in talking to Eddie just about every day, she pretty much already knew all about his time there.

"I hadn't really done all that much besides when I went out with Mel early last week. The shows have been great the fans just as noisy and crazy as always. I hung with Nick in his room a few days ago since he was bored all alone and I didn't have much else to do...and that pretty much sums it up."

"No girls at all?"

Eddie shook his head, slightly shocked himself. "Nope."

"None at all? You didn't even kiss a girl?" Kelly was finding herself so glad that Eddie was there to keep her company and distract her with chatty conversation.

"Does kissing Mel on the cheek count?" Eddie asked with a raised eyebrow a smile on his face.

"No. I'm talking a REAL kiss."

"Unless somebody got to me when I was wasted last night and I don't remember...then no."

"You must be so screwed up by the time change, huh?" Kelly asked...lightly running her thumb over Eddie's hand that was holding hers. "I mean...leaving London in the middle of the night Wednesday night...and getting here at like ten Thursday morning. It's like...seven at night over there."

"I'm pretty lost at what time it is." Eddie laughed. "One second I'm chugging beers with Marty and Nick comes rushing us to Justin's room...the next I'm on a plane here."

Kelly smiled. "Thank you. I mean...I know I complained that I didn't want anyone leaving the tour...but I'm glad someone did...and I'm really glad it was you."

"We all figured it would be best." Eddie stated. "Mel needs to be there because Sue still doesn't have all the moves down right and would make the whole show look bad. Marty felt he wouldn't be good because you still aren't on the best terms...and Nick he was going to do it cuz he didn't have to work like us...but Justin needs him. So walla...here I am."

"I'm glad Justin has Nick."

"We're just lucky he's healthy enough to be there for him."

"How's he feeling?"

"He's still not totally his old spunky self but he's getting there." Eddie said, trying to hold back a yawn. "He's just been taking it easy."

Kelly let go of Eddie's hand, and slowly reached her shaky hand up to touch his cheek. "You haven't slept, have you?"

Feeling like he shouldn't lie, Eddie shook his head. He couldn't help but lean his head to the side to press against her hand more...happy to be there with her, talking to her and not just over the phone.

"You need to sleep," Kelly said...gently running the backs of her fingers over Eddie's stubbly cheek.

"I'm okay...don't worry about me." Eddie said with a small smile.

"Go home and sleep. I'll be here when you get back," Kelly said with a smile.

Eddie shook his head. "I want to stay with you."

"Then at least try and sleep in the chair, or something," Kelly said quietly...letting her hand fall from Eddie's face back to the bed. She was too weak to hold it up any longer.

Eddie finally let a yawn slip and he nodded his head. "Yeah...you should try and sleep more too."

Kelly nodded. "I will."

"Okay." Eddie leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh. He was really tired.

Kelly lay there curled on her side...her eyes glued to Eddie as he sat back in the chair.

Eddie closed his brown eyes and brought his arms to rest on the back of the chair so he could rest his head on them. With another yawn he slowly driffed off to sleep.

Kelly smiled as she watched Eddie fall asleep, the closed her eyes to try to sleep...and forget about the pain shooting through her body.

******@*****

Justin came out of the shower...fresh and clean after his show...and walked over to sit beside Nick on the couch. "I'm gonna call and check on her," he said...grabbing his phone off the end table.

"Alrighty." Nick said as he wrapped an arm around Justin's shoulders...his eyes still glued on the TV.

Justin hit the speed dial for Kelly's hospital room, then leaned against Nick a bit as he listened to it ring.

Eddie was shaken from his sleep when he heard the phone ringing. Groaning he sat up a little more and reached for the phone. "Hello?" He asked in a gruff voice from still not being awake.

"Eddie..." Justin greeted his friend. "...what's up, man?"

"Oh...hey...J." Eddie yawned. "Nothin really...what’s up with you...did the show go okay?"

"The show was fine. How's Kelly?" Justin asked right away.

Eddie glanced over at Kelly and smiled when he saw that she was sleeping peacefully. "She's asleep right now...they had to give her some drug to calm her down cuz she was getting too worked up and it wasn't good for her heart."

Justin sighed quietly...reaching up to run his hand over his head. "How does she feel?"

"She's weak and I think her stomach hurts her...but I'm not really sure." Eddie replied. "But I do know one thing...she thinks you hate her."

Justin's eyes went wide. "She WHAT?"

Nick looked up at Justin with eyes just as wide...wondering what in the world was going on.

"She thinks it's all her fault she lost the baby...therefore you must hate her."

"Oh my God," Justin said quietly...then took a deep breath. "How could she possibly think that? I love that girl with all my heart."

Eddie smiled. "That's what I've been telling her...but I think this is one of those things she needs to work through...it's traumatic."

"Yeah...I know," Justin said with another sigh. "I just...she needs to know that no matter how this happened, it wasn't her fault...and I don't blame her at all."

"Exactly." Eddie sighed, still watching Kelly as she slept. "How are you doing, J...with the whole thing I mean?"

Justin sighed and dropped his head back against the couch. "It hurts more than you can imagine," he said in a near-whisper.

Eddie felt awful for his friends. "I'm sorry this happened, Justin...both of you didn't deserve any of this."

Nick gently rubbed Justin's thigh as he looked up at him...hoping everything with Kelly was okay.

"Well...I don't know about ME..." Justin said. "...but SHE definitely doesn't deserve it."

"Why would you think YOU deserve this, Justin?" Eddie asked, concerned for his friend.

"I'm not saying I DID deserve it...I'm just saying that she definitely doesn't," Justin said...then paused for a moment. "She loses everything in her life, Ed," he said quietly.

Eddie sighed, he knew what Justin was saying. "Well...she hasn't lost us."

"Not completely...but she HAS lost both me and Marty in a way."

Nick sighed, next to Justin...not able to not think about that being all his fault.

"Maybe romantically...but she still has you as friends that's sometimes even better then romantically." Eddie said softly.

"Maybe," Justin said thoughtfully.

Needing to get up for a little bit, Nick stood up and walked out to stand on the balcony...just needing some air.

"How are Marty and Mel holding up? I mean it's not really the same as you...but Kelly is their friend."

Justin's eyes followed Nick's body to the balcony. "Yeah. They're OK. I mean...it's tough for them, too. Doing the show tonight was hard...and you not being here just made it even more real. And people were asking questions...ya know?"

"Yeah...I can imagine."

"We told the other dancers you went home to hang with Kelly cuz she's sick...but we left it at that, so I'm sure they're wondering why me, Mel and Marty are so down."

"Yeah...you know it kinda stinks that we aren't as close to them as each other. I really wonder how that happened."

"Well...I'm sure a lot of it had to do with the fact that you four came in already knowing each other for so long...and I just kinda gelled with ya'll."

"Yeah...lucky us...why couldn't you have gone and crashed the other guy's party?" Eddie teased.

Justin chuckled. "I already knew ya'll from the NSYNC stuff you did...especially Marty and Mel...so it just worked."

"True...damn that seems like a lifetime ago." Eddie said with a long sigh.

"Yeah...I know," Justin said...reaching up to rub his forehead. "And now it's like...now what? I mean...here I was all expecting and getting ready for a baby..."

"There are other chances."

"We'll see," Justin said quietly.

Eddie glanced at the door when he noticed the nurse come into the room. "Hey, J...I think I'm gunna go the nurse is here and I kinda wanted to talk to her more about what is going on while Kelly is still asleep."

"Aight, man. Call me...whenever. Just let me know what's going on, OK?"

"I will...and take care of yourself...she doesn't need you getting sick because you're too worried and not taking care of yourself."

"I know. And Ed...please...PLEASE...make sure she knows I love her...?"

"I promise." Eddie said softly. "Bye." He then hung up the phone and went to try and get some more information out of the nurse.

Nick was still leaning against the railing of the balcony looking down at the street below, tears in his eyes. He knew he had to be strong for Justin...but it was hard when he felt like he was part of the problem.

After Justin hung up his phone, he dropped it back onto the table, then went to join Nick on the balcony. "Hey," he said...stepping up beside him.

"Hey." Nick said softly...trying to hide the fact he was crying.

Justin studied Nick's face for a moment before he spoke again. "Wanna tell me what's bothering you? I mean...besides the obvious..."

"I can't help but feel like some of this is my fault...even though I know it isn't." Nick said after taking a deep breath.

"Why would you say that?"

Nick turned his face to look at Justin. "Because like you said she loses everything in her life...and I help take it away."

"No. Nick...that's not true," Justin said quietly.

Nick licked his lips and nodded. "I know it's not...because I know more even in the last few days that you care for me...and I know you want to be with me...but I just feel so bad for her and I know if I never had come into the picture you probably would still be with her."

Justin nodded. "Maybe so...but she would have lost that baby whether she was with me or not."

"I know...it would just have been once less sad thing to happen." Nick said and then sighed. "Then there is one other thing that is bugging me..."

"OK," Justin said...turning to lean back against the railing to better look at Nick.

"You were so looking forward to this baby...and if you stay with me...I can't give you children." Nick said, stating the obvious.

Justin took a deep breath. "I know that."

"So...if you like ever wanted to sometime in the future...you can." Nick said softly. "Cuz I know what it's like to want children and know you probably wont ever get them."

"Wait...I can WHAT?"

Nick took a deep breath and licked his lips again. "If the opportunity to have a baby with somebody comes up...you can do it."

"You say it like you're...giving me permission, or something."

Nick shook his head. "I didn't mean it like that." He said softly. "I just don't want to like take this away from you."

Justin shook his head with a sigh. "I'm not worried about that now. It's obviously...not my time."

"Yeah...and who knows you'll probably be married or something by the time you really are ready."

Justin shrugged. "Maybe."

Nick took a deep breath and turned so he was facing Justin. "Okay...sorry I didn't mean to pour all that on you now...you don't need it."

"It's OK. I wanna know what you're thinking...how you're feeling."

"I just want you to be happy." Nick said with a smile as he moved to wrap his arms around Justin.

"Well...I'm not happy right now...but that has nothing to do with you."

"I don't blame you for not being happy, baby."

"It hurts."

Nick nodded his head. "I know it does."

Justin took a long, deep breath. "I can't even imagine how badly Kelly's hurting," he said quietly.

"I know...I can't either." Nick said softly as he pulled Justin in close and kissed his cheek gently.

"And I can't believe I'm HERE...and not with her."

"She would have your head if you showed up."

Justin chuckled. "No she wouldn't. She'd have my balls."

Nick laughed and nodded against Justin's shoulder. "Yes...so I must hold you captive here to protect your balls."

Justin laughed again. "OK...thanks."

"Cuz I happen to like your balls." Nick giggled.

"Yeah...I know."

"But that's cuz I like every inch of you. Every piece goes together and makes the man I love." Nick said and then busted up laughing. "God...that was SO cheesy."

Justin nodded...smiling a small smile. "Yeah."

"It may be cheesy but I meant it."

"I know...and it means a lot."

Nick smiled as he continued to hold Justin's body close. "Good...because I like to remind you how much you mean to me." He whispered in his boyfriend's ear.

Justin sighed quietly...closing his eyes as Nick held him. "Thank you so much...for staying. For being here with me for all this."

"I wouldn't be any place else. I belong with you. That's what a boyfriend does...sticks by you through thick and thin...at least so I'm told."

Justin nodded. "And even though I selfishly wanted you to stay here, I want you to know that I really appreciate your offer to go be with Kelly."

"Since when did our roles reverse?" Nick giggled lightly against Justin's shoulder. "Isn't that my line...talking about being selfish?"

"No...that's just how I feel."

"Well I don't think you're being selfish."

Justin smiled. "Thanks."

Pulling back a little, Nick looked into Justin's eyes. "Like I said...I belong here with you. Kelly may be my friend but you're my boyfriend and when my boyfriend needs me...I'm here."

Justin nodded. "It's OK. She has Eddie, now...and Trace and my mom."

"Yup and we'll go pamper her to death when we get home." Nick giggled, still looking into Justin's eyes.

Justin nodded. "Yeah...we will."

Nick leaned forward a little bit and pressed his lips to Justin's. It wasn't really a light peck on the lips but it wasn't a full blown all out kiss...he just wanted Justin to know how much he loved him.

Justin smiled at Nick after the kiss. "Thanks again...for everything."

Nick smiled back. "You don't have to thank me."

"Well I want to."

"Okay then." Nick giggled. "You're welcome."

Justin pulled away from Nick...taking his hand and leading him back inside. "You talked to Kelly a few times over the last few days when you were sick. Did she say much about her and Eddie?" he asked curiously.

"Not exactly." Nick giggled again. "But there is something going on...I can SO tell by the way they both talk about each other."

"What do you mean?" Justin asked...letting go of Nick's hand to climb into bed when they got to the bedroom.

"I think Eddie has feelings for Kelly and visa versa."

"What makes you say that? How do they talk about each other?"

Nick thought for a second. "Well...first can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah," Justin said as he rested on his back and folded his hands on his stomach.

"What is Eddie's favorite thing to do when you're on tour...after shows?"

"Party...like the rest of them."

"I was talking to Marty and he says that Ed has only been out with them once the whole time he was here...and didn't have one drink and there has been no girls." Nick said. "Does that seem weird to you?"

Justin nodded. "Yeah...definitely. I mean...even if he doesn't sleep with them, Eddie's always dancing and makin out with girls."

"Okay...and guess what he's been doing every night instead of going out and partyin?"

"What?"

Nick smiled a little. "Talking to Kelly on the phone."

Justin's eyes widened. "Whoa...I didn't know they were talkin THAT much."

"Yup...every night...and I've seen him doing it before concerts a few times too." Nick giggled.

"Wow...so...you think he like...LIKES her?"

Nick nodded his head. "He got this sparkle in his eyes when he talked about her...while we were hanging out the last few days."

"Wow...who would have thought..."

"I'm a little worried about it though." Nick admitted. "I know Ed's a great guy...but I don't know if it's such a good idea for Kelly to jump into anything, ya know."

Justin nodded. "She won't if she's not ready."

Nick nodded back. "Okay...I hope not...cuz I don't want to see her getting hurt again."

"I think that after all she's been through, Eddie won't even start anything if he's not so sure he wants it. He wouldn't want to hurt her."

"I don't think Marty went into the relationship expecting to fuck up either." Nick said softly.

"I'm sure he didn't," Justin said through a yawn.

Nick giggled and pulled the blankets up to Justin's chin and tucked them in around him. "Okay sleepy boy...time for bed."

Justin sighed. "Yeah. I hope I can actually sleep tonight," he said. He'd gotten none the night before.

"Can I do anything to help?" Nick asked, worried that if Justin didn't start sleeping even his incredable immune system would fall apart on him.

Justin shook his head as his eyes closed. "I think I'll be OK."

"Okay." Nick said as he got under the covers himself and snuggled up to Justin. "Night, baby...love you."

"G'night, Nick," Justin mumbled lazily.

Nick didn't fall right to sleep but kept quiet and held Justin back against him. His hands gently rubbing over his stomach under the sheets.

Between his utter exhaustion, and the feel of Nick gently rubbing his stomach...Justin was sound asleep within minutes.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

After going home to take a shower, Eddie was on his way down the hospital hallway to Kelly's room. Opening the door quietly he walked in, just as quietly just in case she was asleep.

Kelly looked away from the TV toward the opening door, and sent a small smile in Eddie's direction.

Eddie smiled back as he went to sit in 'his' chair. "Hey baby...watcha watching?"

"'Friends' is about to come on," Kelly said...her voice still weak.

"Ohh fun." Eddie laughed as he leaned back in his chair getting comfortable.

Kelly kept her eyes on Eddie...noting that his face was clean shaven and he was wearing different clothes. "How was home?" she asked. Even though she was still asleep when he'd left, Lynn was there when she woke up...and told her that Eddie had gone home to clean up.

"It was good." Eddie laughed again. "Found out my brother decided to crash in my house without asking me first." he rolled his eyes.

Kelly smiled. "You look better," she pointed out. "You got some sleep?"

"A little bit...but then Justin called and woke me up...damn him." Eddie smiled.

"Well...then you should be at home sleeping right now."

"Nah...I'm good. My shower woke me up and listening to Manny bitch about his landlord."

"Come closer," Kelly said...lifting her arm just a bit to reach her hand out. The chair was farther away than when Eddie had been in it earlier, and she wanted him closer.

Eddie got up and pulled the chair up close to Kelly's bed and sat back down. "This better?" he asked as he took her hand.

Kelly smiled. "Much. Thank you."

"Ohh...I forgot, Justin wanted me to tell you he loved you." Eddie smiled.

"You talked to him?"

Eddie nodded. "Yeah he called us."

"How is he?" Kelly asked sadly.

"Sad like you are."

Kelly's eyes tiered up. "Does he hate me?"

"FAR from it." Eddie said firmly. "He loves you."

"But he must be mad at me."

Eddie shook his head. "No he isn't."

Kelly smiled softly. "OK...I believe you."

Eddie smiled back. "Good because it's the God honest truth."

"Thanks."

"How are you feeling?" Eddie asked, looking into Kelly's eyes as his finger stroked her hand.

Kelly shrugged. "The pain's a little bit better...but I still feel so weak."

"That's because you lost like SO much blood...the doctor told me how much in like medical terms but I forgot." Eddie said with a worried look on his face. "It didn't sound good whatever it was."

"Doesn't FEEL good."

"What were you doing when this happened?" Eddie asked softly...wanting to know the story.

Kelly shrugged her shoulders a bit...looking down at their joined hands. "I don't know. I mean...nothing abnormal. I'd just come back from a walk on the beach and had lunch...and was on the couch watching TV when I just started hurting so bad. Like...so bad I was doubled over and couldn't move."

Eddie swallowed hard. "God, Kel...that had to have been so scary."

Kelly nodded. "I was terrified. Thank God my phone was right there and I could grab it to call Trace. If not...I don't think I'd have been able to get to a phone."

Hearing Kelly say that made Eddie's stomach knot up. The idea of Kelly suffering at home alone scared him so much. "God..."

Kelly took a deep breath. "It's OK, Ed. I DID call him...and he got there right away."

"Yes and you're okay." Eddie said softly.

Kelly sighed. "I guess you could say that."

Eddie shook his head. "I know things didn't turn out as good as they could...but you're still alive..."

Kelly just nodded...still looking down at her hand in Eddie's.

"I wish I could have been here to help you." Eddie said softly, he too looking down at their joined hands.

"There was no way you could have," Kelly assured Eddie quietly.

Eddie just nodded

"You're here now...that's all that matters to me."

Eddie looked up at Kelly and smiled a little. "Yeah...you're right."

Kelly looked up at the white do rag on Eddie's head. "Lemme see your braids."

Eddie giggled and smirked shaking his head. "Nuh uh."

"Why not?"

Eddie laughed again and pulled the do rag off his head to show his braids. "I was just being stupid."

Kelly smiled. "They look good," she observed...reaching a hand up toward Eddie's head.

Eddie moved his head down so Kelly could reach better. "You like um?"

Kelly nodded...softly running her finger along one of the braids. "Yeah...I like the design."

"I know I did too...it was a little different then what I normally have done...I felt like being different."

Kelly moved her hand to the back of Eddie's neck...feeling that the braids stopped at the base of his neck. "Shorter, too."

"Yeah...felt like not looking like a girl for once." Eddie giggled.

Kelly chuckled. "I like it like this."

"Good...I'm glad." Eddie smiled

"Not that it matters. I mean...it's YOUR hair," Kelly said...moving her hand back up to trace one of the braids again.

The feel of Kelly's hand in his hair made Eddie moan softly in the back of his throat. "Yeah but your opinion matters to me."

Kelly smiled as she dropped her hand back to the bed. "Well...I like it...a lot."

Eddie smiled. "Good...then I like it a lot too."

Kelly sighed. "Mine, on the other hand, is nasty. I wanna wash my hair so bad."

"I could maybe help you?" Eddie suggested. “If the nurse will let me.

"You'd do that?"

Eddie smiled and nodded. "Of course."

Kelly smiled. "Can we ask her? I wanna brush my teeth, too."

Eddie giggled and nodded again. "Yeah...why don't you push that cool little button of yours and we'll ask her."

Kelly started reaching around for the button. "Where is it?"

Eddie looked around and spotted it on the handle of the bed. "Right there." He said pointing to it.

Kelly pressed the button. "I hope the night nurse isn't mean."

"If she is I'll kick her ass." Eddie giggled.

"No you won't."

The nurse walked into the room all smiles. "Hey there, honey...whatcha need?"

Kelly managed a small smile. "Can I go into the bathroom and get washed up...if he helps me?" she asked...gesturing toward Eddie.

The nurse looked skeptical about it at first but then nodded her head. "Okay go ahead...since they did take you off of the heart monitors a few hours ago."

"What?" Kelly asked...lifting the collar of her hospital gown and looking down at her chest to see that the sticky pads were still there, but with no wires attached. "They did?"

"Yeah...you have been here for over twenty four hours now and there was no reason for you to have it anymore." The nurse pointed out.

Eddie smiled. "That's good news."

Kelly nodded. "It is."

The nurse smiled again. "Yes it is good news...so go ahead just remember to take the IV stand with you." She said pointing at the thing sitting next to the bed.

Kelly nodded. "Thank you."

The nurse waved and then walked back out of the room.

Eddie smiled at Kelly. "Okay...let's do this thing."

Kelly nodded...then carefully tried to sit up in the bed.

Eddie's hand was right behind her back and helped her sit up.

"Thanks," Kelly said quietly...moving the covers off her. "Go slow. I can't move fast cuz of the bleeding."

"I can only imagine how much that would hurt." Eddie said softly as he helped Kelly off the bed and held onto her as she first stood on the ground.

Kelly took a deep breath. "This is only the second time I've been up. They had a catheter in me until this afternoon because they didn't want me getting up."

"Ohh now that had to have sucked." Eddie said making a face. "Those things are awful."

"Don't remind me," Kelly said...slowly starting for the bathroom in her stocking feet.

Eddie followed closely behind and turned on the light for Kelly once they reached the bathroom. "Okay...what first?"

"Gotta sit," Kelly said...leaning toward the toilet.

"Okay sit down." Eddie said, helping Kelly sit down on the toilet. He then looked around the room, trying to figure out how they were going to do this.

“If you gimme a cup of water and the toothbrush..." Kelly said...pointing to the stuff on the counter. "...I can brush my teeth and spit in that little tub."

Eddie nodded as he went and got the toothbrush. Putting toothpaste on it for her he handed her the toothbrush while he got the cup of water and tub.

Kelly stuck the toothbrush in her mouth and brushed as best as her limited strength would let her. The cool toothpaste tasted so good in her stale mouth.

Eddie stood in front of her with the cup and tub in his hand ready when she was.

Kelly took the cup to rinse her mouth and spit in the tub, then brushed some more.

Eddie wasn't sure why...but at this moment in time he couldn't think of ever being happier. He felt like he had a purpose and loved knowing he was helping Kelly.

Kelly finished brushing then rinsed her mouth one more time before dumping the rest of the water into the tub, and putting the toothbrush into the empty cup. "Thanks. I know that must have been gross."

"Nah it was far from gross." Eddie smiled as he went to wash out the tub just in case it was needed some other time.

Kelly reached up and pulled the elastic out of her hair with a groan. "God...my hair feels gross."

Eddie looked at Kelly for a second, trying to see if there was anything on her that shouldn't be getting wet. "I could help you take a shower." He said, not really thinking anything of that.

Kelly shook her head...a bit frustrated. "That's not a good idea...cuz I'm still bleeding a little. The nurse gave me a sponge bath before," she said...rolling her eyes.

Eddie nodded. "Okay...then how about I go bring the chair from the other room in here and put it at the edge of the shower and you just have to tilt her head back while I use the extended shower head to wash your hair?" He suggested since he noticed the sink was too high to do that.

Kelly nodded. "Only if it's not too much work for you."

"If I can survive rehearsals for world wide tours I can carry a chair." Eddie laughed as he walked out of the room and came back a few seconds later with the chair.

Kelly smiled as she eased herself over to the chair. "Thanks."

Eddie smiled and walked into the shower and grabbed the detachable shower head and then turned it on, making sure to test the temp.

Kelly sighed quietly as she closed her eyes and leaned her head back.

Getting it just right, Eddie started to wet Kelly's hair. "Is that okay?"

Kelly smiled. "Perfect," she said quietly...trying to actually relax for the first time in days.

Once her hair was wet, Eddie set the shower head down on the floor of the shower and then grabbed the shampoo the hospital had. Pouring some into his hands he lathered it up and then started to work it in Kelly's hair. Making sure to massage her scalp.

Kelly sighed contentedly as Eddie gently scrubbed her hair. "Feels good."

"I'm glad." Eddie whispered as he continued to scrub her hair...knowing it always made somebody feel better when their hair was clean.

Kelly chuckled. "I hope there's a comb," she said. "I have to find out how long I'm gonna be here...cuz if it's much longer I'm definitely gonna need some stuff from home."

"I could always call Lynn after we're done here and ask her to bring some stuff when she comes tomorrow." Eddie said as he reached down to grab the shower head again to start rinsing her hair.

"Not til I find out when I get to go home."

Eddie nodded as he continued to rinse off Kelly's shampoo covered hair. "Hopefully they won't keep you too much longer."

"Hopefully not. I guess the doctor's supposed to talk to me about that stuff tomorrow morning."

"Ohh...okay." Eddie said as he turned off the water and set the shower head back down. "All set."

"Is there a towel?" Kelly asked...reaching up to wring the water out of her hair.

Eddie looked around the room and saw a towel hanging. Moving to grab it he took it off the

rack and handed it to Kelly. "This place is almost like a hotel." He giggled.

"Hardly," Kelly said with a quiet laugh as she started towel drying her hair slowly...too weak to put too much effort into it.

Seeing Kelly was having a little bit of trouble, Eddie gently took the towel from her hands and started to work it over her wet hair. "Well...it could be a lot worse, probably."

Kelly sighed...dropping her hands and letting Eddie do the work. "I suppose. At least they have a hair dryer," she said...noticing the small dryer built into the wall.

"How luxurious." Eddie chuckled as he finished up with the towel and then reached for the hair dryer to dry it.

"Wait...can you comb it first? Or else it'll be all knotty."

"Yes dear." Eddie laughed, a smile on his face to show he was just messing around. Looking at the stuff on the counter he found a comb and then slowly started to put it through Kelly's hair...not wanting to hurt her.

Kelly sighed again...trying her best to relax. "Thank you so much for doing this."

Eddie smiled more. "I don't have anything else better to do."

Kelly chuckled. "Gee...thanks."

Eddie gently smacked Kelly upside the head. "You know that isn't what I meant."

"That's how it sounded."

Leaning down, Eddie placed a soft kiss to the top of Kelly's head. "I'm glad I'm here."

"Me too," Kelly said...closing her eyes to wait for Eddie to dry her hair.

Once all the tangles were out, Eddie picked up the hair dryer again and started to dry her hair. He didn't say anything for a few minutes just concentrated on getting her hair dried perfectly.

Kelly reached up to run a hand through her clean hair once Eddie was finished. "Thanks...feels so much better."

"You're welcome." Eddie smiled as he put the hair dryer back and hung the towel on the rack again.

Kelly braced her hand on the counter and tried to stand herself up. "Can you ask the nurse for a new gown? Mine got wet in the back."

Eddie nodded as he walked out of the room and then went out into the hall, looking for Kelly's nurse. When he spotted her coming out of another person's room he asked her about the gown and to his surprise she just pointed at a cart and told him to go ahead and take one. Doing as she said he carried the gown back into the room.

Kelly smiled. "Thank you so much. You're an angel."

"Yes I know." Eddie giggled. "But my horns stick through my halo often."

Kelly laughed. "This IS true," she said...carefully turning so that her back was to Eddie. "Untie me, please?"

Eddie reached over and gently untied Kelly's hospital gown.

Once it was loose, Kelly slipped the gown on off from the front, then pulled the clean one onto her arms.

Being a gentleman, once he had the gown untied, Eddie turned his back from Kelly to give her a minute.

Once the new gown was on, Kelly looked over her shoulder. "Tie it for me, please?"

Turning back around, Eddie tied the gown back up. "There now you're all set." He smiled.

"Do you need to do anything else in here before we get you back in bed?"

Kelly shook her head. "No...I feel much fresher. Thank you."

"Don't gotta go to the bathroom or anything?" Eddie asked, just making sure she wouldn't have to get up too much and make herself worse.

Kelly took a deep breath. "Yeah...I guess I should."

"Then I'll go out there." Eddie said, pointing out the door.

Kelly nodded, then slowly went about using the toilet. Once she had finished and washed her hands, she called for Eddie. "Ed...I'm all set," she said through the half-open door.

Eddie opened the door again and then was at Kelly's side to help her back to her bed. "So, what are we gonna do for the rest of the night?

"Watch TV...talk..." Kelly said as she sat on the edge of the bed with a deep breath...pausing to take a rest.

"Are you okay?" Eddie asked softly as he rubbed Kelly's back, seeing she was tired out from the short walk.

Kelly nodded...looking into Eddie's eyes quietly for a moment before she spoke. "Remember on the phone...when I told you what was the only thing I wanted when I was here all by myself?"

Eddie just nodded his head

"Remember what it was?" Kelly asked quietly.

Eddie thought about it for a quick second and smiled, leaning over to give Kelly a gentle hug...not sure how much her body could handle.

Kelly wrapped her arms around Eddie's waist as he stood by the bed and hugged her, and immediately buried her face in his chest with a quiet sigh.

"I'm glad I remembered right or that would be pretty shitty." Eddie laughed as he hugged her.

"I knew you wouldn't forget."

"I can't forget things that I really want."

Kelly sighed contentedly. "Feels so good...you smell good," she observed...not pulling away yet.

Eddie laughed. "I think I used Manny's shampoo...I smell like fruit and coconuts."

Kelly laughed quietly as she finally pulled away and made a move to bring her legs up onto the bed to lay down. "How long's he been at your apartment?"

"Four days...and of course didn't bother to tell me." Eddie said rolling his eyes. "Stupid little brothers."

"Why's he there again?" Kelly asked as she settled back against the pillows.

"He said his landlord kicked him out...I didn't really get the story." Eddie said as he sat back down in his chair.

"Maybe you should go home and talk to him," Kelly suggested as she hugged her covers close and rolled onto her right side so she could look at Eddie.

Eddie shook his head. "Nah...he's a big boy...he can take care of himself...I'm kinda pissed at him anyways."

"For crashing at your place?" Kelly asked...reaching her hand out to indicate she wanted Eddie to move closer to her.

"I would of liked him to tell me he was doing it." Eddie said as he scooted his chair so close his knees were smooshed against the bed.

Kelly nodded her head. "You're right."

"He's not telling me something too...I mean he has to know why his landlord kicked him out...but he keeps telling me he doesn't."

"He really doesn't seem like the type of person to DO something to GET kicked out," Kelly said quietly...her left hand moving to toy with the bottoms of Eddie's braids at the back of his neck.

"

No...but he is the kind of guy to never say he needs help...and gets himself kicked out because he can't pay the rent." Eddie pointed out.

"Is his place that expensive?"

Eddie shrugged his shoulders. "I really don't know." He admitted...feeling shitty that he didn't know much about his little bro these days.

"You're not gonna kick him out...are you?" Kelly asked...her eyes on Eddie's as she continued playing with his braids and gently rubbing the back of his neck.

Eddie shook his head. "Of course not."

Kelly smiled. "Cuz you're a nice guy."

"Because he's a struggling college student." Eddie laughed.

Kelly chuckled. "Yeah. That would be evil of you to throw him out."

"I was twenty once." Eddie laughed. "I know what it's like to have nothing."

"Don't we all," Kelly said...her right hand running over the top of Eddie's hand that was resting on the bed.

Eddie looked down at his hand being touched by Kelly's and smiled. "I've missed being around you so much." He blurted out.

Kelly nodded her head a bit. "Me, too."

"We really missed you at Marty's party."

Kelly widened her eyes. "Oh no! Yesterday was his birthday...and I didn't even get to call him," she said...her eyes filling with tears.

"You can now if you want." Eddie said, smiling handing her the phone...hoping that would make her feel a little better. "I'm sure he would love to hear from you."

Kelly shook her head. "It's not even six in the morning there yet. I'll wait."

Eddie nodded and set the phone back down. "Okay...and I'm sure he doesn't mind...hell he probably forgot about his birthday too."

Kelly sighed. "I don't really feel like talking right now, anyway."

"Okay..." Eddie nodded, thinking that meant she didn't really feel like talking to him either.

Kelly turned her head just a bit to look up at the wall-mounted TV...her hand dropping from the back of Eddie's neck down to the bed. "Oh look...'Will and Grace' is starting. The story of my life."

"Don't be like that, Kel." Eddie said softly.

Kelly turned back to Eddie and smiled. "I was joking. And I mean...come on. EVERY guy I've slept with DOES prefer men."

Eddie let out a quiet sigh of relief when he could tell she was joking. "Yeah...well their loss since woman are so much better looking than men."

"That's YOUR opinion," Kelly pointed out...her left hand going up to the back of Eddie's neck again. She was being a lot more affectionate with him than she normally would. Maybe it was because she was scared...or maybe because she'd been so lonely...or maybe because she was starting to have feelings for him. Whatever it was, she couldn't explain it...but it just felt good to be close to him.

Eddie of course didn't tell Kelly to back off. He liked the attention and liked knowing that the touching was obviously helping her. She was much more calm and relaxed then she was earlier

"Ya know..." Kelly said quietly. "...I think you'd be one of those guys that would look hot with a tattoo on his neck," she said...running her fingertips over the right side of Eddie's neck.

Eddie turned from the TV to look at Kelly weird. "My neck?"

Kelly nodded. "Yeah...I don’t know why," she said with a chuckle. "Maybe cuz most guys I see that look hot with it are Hispanic."

"I definitely AM that." Eddie laughed.

"What? Hot...or Hispanic?"

Eddie laughed again. "Well...both."

Kelly laughed and rolled her eyes. "Modest, too."

"I was thinking more along the lines of smug." Eddie smirked.

"Overly self-satisfied?"

Eddie busted up laughing. "That sounds SO wrong."

Kelly shrugged. "But you have every right to be."

"Yeah I suppose."

"You do," Kelly assured Eddie. "You're sweet...VERY funny...EXTREMELY talented...not to mention fine as hell."

Eddie actually blushed bright red. "Thanks."

Kelly smiled. "You're welcome."

Feeling a little self conscience all of a sudden, Eddie ran his vacant hand on his jeans, looking at the TV again.

Kelly noticed Eddie's sudden uneasiness. "What's wrong?"

"I just never felt that fondly of myself." Eddie admitted. "Sure I act like it and all...but I don't really."

"Well...why not?" Kelly asked softly...settling into her pillows a bit more.

Eddie shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno. There's just some things about my body and stuff that I don't like." Eddie said with a shrug.

"Scars?" Kelly asked softly...knowing about how he'd gotten run over by a city bus when he was younger. He'd been temporarily paralyzed...ending his probable baseball career...and doctors had said he probably wouldn't walk again.

Eddie nodded his head. "Yeah...some of them are pretty bad and won't get any better." He admitted

"Were are they?" Kelly asked...never really having seen them...other than the small ones on his arms and legs.

"The worse one is right here." Eddie said pointing to his lower abdomen a place nobody would be able to see unless he had his boxers off.

Kelly chuckled. "Musta missed it that night...cuz I WAS kinda drunk...and only focusing on one thing."

Eddie blushed once again and nodded. "Yeah...and it was dark too...we didn't have the lights on."

"When I'm better...will you take me salsa dancing again? I had so much fun that night we went in Spain."

Eddie smiled and nodded his head. "Okay...we can do that...I had a blast too."

"I probably won't be able to do something like that for like...a month, though."

"Yeah...cuz I want you one hundred percent." Eddie said with another big smile. "I know from personal experience you can't force yourself to do more then your body wants you to right out of the hospital."

Kelly nodded...looking over Eddie's shoulder for a bit.

"What?" Eddie asked, seeing how Kelly was looking at him.

Kelly took a deep breath, and met Eddie's eyes again. "Can I tell you something?" she asked in a near whisper.

Eddie nodded. "Of course...you can tell me anything."

"I think I know why this happened."

"Oh?" Eddie simply asked.

"I mean...they haven't told me anything yet...but I just think I know."

"Why do you think?"

Kelly took a deep, shaky breath, and her eyes filled with tears before she even started speaking. "I was raped...when I was seventeen."

Eddie's eyes went wide. He never knew this had happened...then again why would she have told him in the first place...but still..."Oh God, baby...I'm so sorry."

Kelly sniffled as she went on. "No one knows...I mean...NO ONE. I've never told anyone but my doctor...and he kind of figured it out for himself the first time he examined me...from the visible trauma."

Hearing Kelly say this mad Eddie sick to his stomach. It made him so damn angry that any man would EVER do that to a woman...and it was even worse that it had been Kelly. "Why are you telling me?" He asked softly.

Kelly shrugged. "I don't know. I just...I've been thinking about it all day...and I really think that's why I lost the baby...or at least PART of the reason. He..." She paused for a deep breath. "...he...was so rough...and...used a...broken broom handle. He did a lot of damage...to my cervix and uterus."

Eddie literally had to swallow the bile that was coming into his throat, listening to Kelly's story. The whole thing was making him dizzy and so nauseous...but he stayed where he was knowing he needed to be strong...he just hoped he didn't look visibly shaken.

Kelly noticed Eddie's discomfort, and refrained from giving him anymore details. "I'm sorry," she whispered weakly. "I just...felt like I had to tell you. I needed to get it out."

Eddie shook his head quickly and gave Kelly a true smile. "I'm glad you told me...I'm sorry if I am acting or look like I'm not."

"I'm sure it's not easy to hear," Kelly said...then took a deep breath. "It was pretty much my fault. I mean...I was stupid."

"What...Kelly no!" Eddie exclaimed. "Never...it's not your fault at all...not what happened years ago....and not what happened a few days ago."

"It WAS my fault, Ed. It was the first night I got kicked out of my house. I had nowhere to sleep...and didn't wanna bother anybody about it...so I was just wandering the streets."

"God...you're a lot stronger then I ever thought." Eddie said, his eyes wide in awe. "If I had been you I would have given up and died right then."

"I wanted to...just like I wanted to after...this."

Eddie shook his head quickly. "Don't even talk like that."

Kelly took a long, deep breath...letting it out as a sigh. She reached for Eddie's hand on the bed with both of her hands, and pulled it close to her to kiss it.

Eddie watched Kelly kiss his hand and bit his lower lip. He wasn't sure what that gesture was supposed to mean now...not after what she had just been saying.

"Thanks for listening," Kelly said...looking up into Eddie's eyes.

"Thank you for telling me." Eddie said with a small smile. "I know what it's like having secrets you just gotta get out."

Kelly nodded...then thought about what Eddie had said. "You have a lot of secrets?"

Eddie shook his head. "Nah...not a lot."

Kelly just nodded again...not wanting to pry.

"I tried to kill myself twice." Eddie said...since they were kind of on that topic.

Kelly's eyes widened a bit. "What?" she asked in a whisper.

Eddie licked his lips and kind of stared off into space as he thought about it a little. "It was after the accident and when they told me I would never be able to walk again."

"I'm glad you didn't succeed," Kelly said quietly...then kissed Eddie's hand again.

"First...because look where you are now. You've become one of the best dancers and choreographers out there...and you succeed at everything you try. And second...because if you HAD...you wouldn't be here with me right now...when I need you most."

Eddie smiled big and nodded. "I'm glad I didn't either...because I can't imagine never knowing you."

Kelly chuckled. "You act like it's an honor, or something," she said...her left hand going up to trace one of Eddie's braids before going back to the back of his neck.

"I look at it like that." Eddie said honestly.

Kelly smiled softly. "You're sweet."

"I try." Eddie giggled, smiling. "But like I said before the devil horns find their way out." he giggled, wiggling his eyebrows.

Kelly laughed. "Only at the appropriate times, though."

"Ohh I think they have come out at times they shouldn't have." Eddie laughed.

"Like when?" Kelly asked...her fingertips absently stroking the back of Eddie's neck above his t-shirt collar.

"How about the time I put laxatives in Manny's pudding when I was ten at Christmas time when we had the WHOLE family over." Eddie giggled, remembering that.

Kelly laughed. "That's dirty."

Eddie smirked, giggling more. "The poor kid didn't know what hit him."

Kelly chuckled quietly. She was so glad that Eddie was with her...keeping her company and making her laugh. "Have I told you you smell good?" she asked softly.

"Yes and I said it was because of Manny's imported Australian shampoo...the boy's a label queen." Eddie laughed.

Kelly smiled and shook her head. "I don't think it's that. Cologne, maybe...or soap?"

"I don't think I'm even wearing cologne." Eddie said, trying to remember if he put any on.

"So, yeah maybe it's the soap."

"Well I like it," Kelly said softly.

Eddie smirked. "Good."

Kelly looked down at Eddie's hand in hers as she gently played with his fingers. "Shouldn't you be getting home?"

Eddie glanced over at the clock noticing it was already almost ten o'clock at night and sighed. "They are probably gonna kick me out pretty soon."

"Maybe not if I ask if you can stay. I mean...if you want to. But...you should probably go home and get some sleep."

"I don't know if I will be able to...you know since I'm not family." Eddie said sadly.

"You're the only family I have," Kelly whispered.

Eddie giggled. "I'm really your cousin."

Kelly laughed quietly. "Eeewww..."

"Okay...my...umm fiancé." Eddie said, almost scared at how much he actually wished that was true.

"That they might believe. Of course...they'd probably wonder why you never kiss me...but..."

"I don't like public displays of affection." Eddie laughed.

"Ohh...right...unless it's getting fucked or blown in a bathroom."

Eddie raised an eyebrow. "Who says I liked being fucked or blown in a bathroom?"

"You told me that...on New Years."

"Oh." Eddie giggled. "I remember NOTHING from that night."

"Good."

Eddie nodded his head slowly. "Yeah...I suppose." He always hated when he didn't remember things...because he could never be sure if he had been sober enough to protect himself.

Kelly took a deep breath. "Well...if you're gonna go you should go now. I don't want you driving too late...cuz you're tired."

"Nah...I'm staying here." Eddie said with a smile. "I found out this chair actually tilts back and is actually pretty comfy."

Kelly let out a quiet sigh of relief. She just didn't want to be alone anymore. "I want you to be here when the doctor comes in the morning."

Eddie nodded as he stood up to go get an extra blanket and pillow he had seen across the room and brought it back to his chair. Tilting it back he put the pillow and blanket on it and smiled. "See...all set."

Kelly smiled. "Get some rest...OK?"

"I will." Eddie reassured her as he sat down and pulled the blanket over himself, getting comfy.

Kelly kept her eyes on Eddie as he sat in his chair...already missing the comfort of his physical closeness.

Eddie wiggled around on the chair a little bit, trying to get comfortable.

"Can I have a goodnight kiss?" Kelly suddenly asked in a quiet voice...not really knowing what exactly she wanted...or meant by that.

Looking over in Kelly's direction, Eddie nodded and then got up and stood next to the bed. Leaning over he pressed his lips very gently to hers.

Kelly smiled a bit against Eddie's lips. "Thanks," she whispered.

Pulling back, Eddie smiled down at her. "Goodnight, baby."

Kelly pecked Eddie's lips one more time. "G'night."

Backing away from the bed, Eddie fell down into his chair again and covered back up. Taking a deep breath.

Kelly kept her eyes on Eddie for a few more minutes until she didn't have the energy to hold them open any longer.

Closing his own eyes, Eddie let sleep overtake him and he quickly fell asleep.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Around ten o'clock, Eddie walked into Kelly's hospital room. He was once again freshly shaven and dressed in different clothes.

Kelly smiled as she turned to watch Eddie walk into the room. "I freaked when I woke up and you were gone. Thank goodness the nurse came in a few minutes later and let me know you just went home to take a shower."

"Awe...I won't actually leave, Kel." Eddie said with a smile as he leaned over and gave her a soft kiss on the forehead. "How are you feeling this morning?"

Kelly shrugged. "OK, I guess. I mean...my stomach still hurts on and off...and I'm a bit of an emotional mess..." she said quietly. "...but I'm alright."

Eddie nodded and pulled back so he could sit down in his chair. "Has the doctor been in to tell you when he's going to come in and talk to us?"

"The nurse said my doctor should be here around eleven, or so," Kelly said...looking at the clock to see that it was about ten fifteen. "He's in surgery right now."

"Okay cool." Eddie said as he leaned back in his chair and crossed his feet at the ankles. "Hopefully he has good news."

Kelly sighed. "We'll see," she said...then pointed to a huge bouquet of flowers on the table across the room. "Look...those are from Justin, Nick, Mel and Marty. They came a few minutes ago. Wasn't that nice of them?"

Eddie looked over and smiled big when he saw the flowers. "That IS really nice of them...where's mine?" He said pouting playfully.

Kelly giggled quietly...moving onto her right side so she could face Eddie. "I'll share."

"Awe...you're a sweetie." Eddie giggled, reaching over to take Kelly's hand in his.

Kelly smiled. "I try," she said...looking down at their joined hands. "You get out of helping me wash up and brush my teeth today. The nurse already helped me."

"Shit...and I was looking forward to it too...damn why did I have to go clean myself." Eddie pouted.

Kelly squeezed Eddie's hand. "Oh please...it's not like it was a special treat."

"Yeah...well it makes me feel good helping you." Eddie smiled.

Lynn knocked on the open door and stuck her head in. "May I come in?"

Kelly turned to look toward the door and gave Lynn a smile. "Of course."

Smiling back, Lynn walked fully into the room. "How are ya doing this morning, Kel?" She asked sweetly.

"Alright, I guess...just a little anxious to hear what the doctor has to say," Kelly said quietly. It was almost difficult for her to look Lynn in the eye. She felt horrible that she lost the woman's grandchild.

"I think we all are." Eddie said, speaking up for the fist time.

Lynn nodded in agreement and smiled at Eddie. Looking around again she spotted the flowers. "Oh those are lovely..."

"Your son," Kelly said with a smile...still holding Eddie's hand.

Lynn smiled brightly like she did every time Justin was mentioned. She was so proud of him. Not just because he turned into the superstar he is...but because of what a great man he had turned out to be. "That was very kind of him."

Eddie squeezed Kelly's hand. "Yeah it was...and everybody in London wishes they were here too."

Kelly sighed quietly. "I miss them...especially J."

Lynn sighed and nodded. "Too bad he couldn't take the time to come and see you."

"He wanted to...but I wouldn't let him cancel the tour."

Eddie giggled. "Yes, you stubborn girl." He teased.

He's dealing with enough, anyway. He shouldn't have to be here taking care of me, too."

Lynn raised an eyebrow at that, wondering if something else was going on that she didn't

know about. "Dealing with enough?"

Kelly looked at Lynn. "Yeah...ya know...with getting used to his relationship with Nick, and all."

"Oh right." Lynn nodded with a smile. "They seem to be doing fine from what Justin tells me."

"I hear they are," Kelly agreed.

Lynn looked at Eddie holding onto Kelly's hand and smiled a little, mostly to herself. "Well...It looks like I have some time before the doctor is going to come...so I'm going to go grab some coffee."

Kelly gave Lynn a small smile. "OK."

Smiling again, Lynn turned around and headed back out of the room.

"You should go get something, too," Kelly said to Eddie as Lynn left.

"I don't want anything." Eddie said with a shrug.

"Have you been eating?"

Eddie bit his lower lip and nodded his head. "Sure."

"Liar," Kelly mumbled. She knew him better than that."

Eddie sighed...Kelly knew him that was true...she also knew when he was stressed about something...or worried he couldn't eat. "You know I can't."

Kelly sighed. "Why not? I'm OK. You don't need to be worrying anymore."

"I know...but my stomach is still in knots." Eddie admitted.

"I'm sorry."

Eddie shrugged his shoulders and smiled. "Eh...I'll be fine since I'm not having to do anything really athletic sitting here in this chair."

Kelly smiled up at Eddie. "Thanks."

"I’m sure I will eat fine once you're outta here."

"I hope so. I don't need you getting sick, too."

"I wont get sick...my immune system is almost as good as Justin's if not better." Eddie giggled.

Kelly smiled...looking down to where Eddie's hand was holding hers.

Eddie followed Kelly's gaze and squeezed her hand. "I'm really loving holding your hand like this all the time."

Kelly moved her eyes up to Eddie's. "You are?"

"Yeah..."Eddie said simply, looking into Kelly's eyes.

"What do you love about it?"

"Being close to you." Eddie admitted, feeling like being very honest this morning.

"It's just holding my hand," Kelly said quietly...glancing back down at their joined hands again.

Swallowing, Eddie continued to look into Kelly's eyes. "You know I did mean what I said...when we were just talking on the phone."

"About...?"

"Liking you." Eddie said, sounding a lot like a grade schooler admitting a crush.

Kelly smiled a bit. "I was kinda wondering about that. Cuz...I mean...we never really got to talk about it again. Cuz you called me drunk a couple times...and then I think we just avoided it the other times."

Eddie giggled a little. "I still don't know why I felt the need to get drunk that one night."

"Me neither. At least the other times you actually went out with people."

"Yeah...but I wasn't trying to avoid talking to you about it."

Kelly shrugged her shoulders a bit. "Maybe *I* was trying to avoid it."

"Oh?" Eddie asked with a raised eyebrow.

Kelly nodded her head slowly...her eyes finding one of Eddie's diamond stud earrings in an attempt to avoid his eyes.

Eddie licked his lips as he tried to think of something to say. "I like you...but I think it's too soon for us to do anything about it." He admitted after a few seconds.

Kelly nodded again. "I agree."

"But I'm not gonna fool around with other people either." Eddie said softly, finally telling Kelly what he had been planning for a few days now. "You can though I don't care."

"Have I ever been the type to fool around?"

Eddie shook his head quickly. "No...Kelly I didn't mean that." He said just as quickly scared he had offended her.

"I know what you meant. I just...I mean...if I've never done it before, why would I want to now?"

"I just wanted you to know just cuz I was...you don't have to." Eddie tried to explain.

"But...why are you gonna stop fooling around, though...if we're not gonna...do anything?"

Eddie took a deep breath. "It's stupid really..."

"Ya think so?"

"No...not that I wanna stop fooling around...my reason."

"OK...then don't tell me if you don't want to," Kelly said...pulling her hand back from Eddie's a bit to play with his fingers.

Eddie took a deep breath. "No...I want to...It's just I wanna take some time to get to know myself again...the real me not the famous dancer and choreographer the guy who thinks he's God's gift to woman because he's rich and has power. I wanna do all I can to be just plain old Eddie Morales again from the pits of LA."

Kelly's lips curled into a smile. "Why is that so stupid. I think it's great...and admirable. I mean...I've NEVER had the chance to know the real Eddie Morales from the pits of LA...have I?"

Eddie laughed and shook his head. "Nah...you got to see Eddie with a big head."

"You never really acted like that with me, though. I mean...yeah...I always knew you thought you were a pimp daddy...but..."

Eddie busted up laughing at that. "Why I thought I'm so good I have NO idea...I mean hell I probably suck."

"THAT I doubt."

"I wouldn't now...I can't fuck myself." Eddie giggled.

Kelly chuckled at that. "Well...what led you to this decision?"

"I was getting sick of waking up and realizing that I once again had fucked some nameless person while being drunk off my ass." Eddie admitted. "Which is why Marty's party was the

last time I'm drinking too."

Kelly widened her eyes. "What?"

"Is that hard to believe?"

"Honestly...yeah," Kelly said...looking at Eddie as she absently grabbed onto one of his fingers and tugged on it very gently.

Eddie nodded. "I'm going to try...I mean I don't need that shit."

"I think that's great, baby...but...what made you wanna do this? Go back to the old Eddie, I mean?"

Eddie swallowed hard. "I would wake up so many times not having ANY idea what happened the night before...it was really starting to scare me."

Kelly just nodded her understanding...waiting to let Eddie go on if he had anything else to say.

"I just can't deal with that fear anymore."

Kelly nodded again. "Have you thought about...umm...ya know...getting tested, and stuff?"

"I do ever three months like clock work." Eddie admitted. "Have for years."

For some reason, Kelly was surprised to hear that. "Really?"

"I may of been a male slut at times...but I wasn't going to get people sick." Eddie stated, he wasn't upset for Kelly acting shocked.

Kelly nodded. "I'm um...sorry if I offended you."

Eddie smiled. "You didn't."

Kelly took a deep breath. "So...don't you think you're gonna be kinda bored with life, now?"

"I'll find other things to do besides fuck and drink."

Kelly giggled. "Sounds like a good idea," she said...then lifted Eddie's hand to her lips to kiss it. "Have you gotten back to Janet's people yet...about the tour?"

Eddie bit his lower lip and nodded his head.

"And...?"

"I turned them down."

Kelly was shocked by Eddie again. "What? You're kidding."

Eddie shook his head. "No."

"But...why?"

"Cuz I want to stay home for a while...it's not like I need the money."

"Well I know you don't need the money. But...what the hell are you gonna do with yourself? You don't know how to have all that time on your hands."

"I have no idea." Eddie giggled.

"You could hang out with me...cuz I won't be doing much."

Eddie smiled. "I would like that."

Kelly took a deep breath...finally getting up the guts to ask Eddie about something that had been on her mind since he'd mentioned it. "So...if you...like me...but don't think we should jump into anything just yet...then...what exactly...IS this?"

Eddie thought about that and took a deep breath of his own. "We could like go out on actual dates...not just as friends...but not actually be boyfriend and girlfriend yet?" He questioned...sounding a lot like a preteen kid.

Kelly nodded slowly. "OK...so...we'd be like...just dating?"

Eddie nodded. "I think so." He laughed. "I don't really know."

"It makes sense."

"Good." Eddie giggled.

"What if I wanna see other people?"

"Then go ahead...that's what I meant before."

Kelly smiled. "I'm just playing with you. I don't wanna see other people. I'm all set with all that shit after what I've been through lately."

Eddie smiled. "We could both use a break from 'that shit'."

Kelly nodded. "Yeah...I think so." She looked into Eddie's eyes for a moment before her gaze briefly trailed down to his lips.

Without knowing Kelly was looking at his lips, Eddie licked them...one of his nervous habits.

Looking up at the clock he noticed it was almost time for the doctor to come in.

Kelly remained quiet...her eyes wandering over all of the features of Eddie's face. She'd always thought he was gorgeous, but she'd never really noticed just how beautiful his features really were.

After a few seconds, Eddie begin to feel like he was being stared at. With a raised eyebrow he looked at Kelly.

Kelly realized Eddie was looking at her, and blushed as she laughed quietly.

Eddie giggled too. "See something you like?" He teased.

Kelly nodded shamelessly. "Yeah...I do."

"Good...because I see something I like too." Eddie said, seriously beginning to wonder if he could do this just dating thing.

Kelly laughed...rolling her eyes. "Oh come on, Ed. I'm a mess. I'm all in shambles in a hospital bed."

"I think you look beautiful." Eddie said honestly.

"Thank you," Kelly said in a near whisper...her eyes still on Eddie's face.

Eddie licked his lips again, his heart pounding in his chest. It had been a LONG time since he had felt this way for a girl...he felt like a school boy again. "You're welcome." He answered back just as softly.

Kelly swallowed hard. "Does Marty know?"

"About how I feel?"

Kelly nodded. "Yeah...and that we're talking."

"No I haven't told him."

Kelly took a deep breath. "That's OK."

"I was planning on it" Eddie said with a nod of his head. "I just never got the chance."

"It's OK. Maybe he doesn't need to know right away. He's got enough on his mind."

Eddie nodded. "Yes but then I feel like we are going behind his back too."

Kelly nodded. "You're right."

"He's doing better." Eddie thought he would share. "I'm not sure why...but something must of clicked or something."

Kelly shrugged. "Maybe he's starting to realize what he really wants."

Eddie nodded. "Yeah...maybe."

"Maybe we're all starting to figure out what we really want. I mean...Justin...and Marty...you..."

"Maybe we are all actually growing up!" Eddie said with a look of mock horror on his face.

Kelly chuckled. "Please...not THAT."

"We should go back to Neverland."

"Can I have a kiss?" Kelly asked suddenly. She didn't know if she should have...or how Eddie would react...but she couldn't stop herself from asking.

"Of course." Eddie said with a smile as he stood up and pressed his lips lightly to Kelly's like they always did...not sure if she meant more by that question.

Kelly licked her lips as soon as Eddie pulled away. "I'm pretty sure I remember you being a good kisser."

Eddie smiled and shrugged. "I suppose I'm good."

"You are. I mean...I know we only REALLY kissed on a few occasions...and we were both drunk on several of them...but I remember."

"Well...let me refresh your memory." Eddie whispered and before he could change his mind or think about what he was doing he pressed his lips to Kelly's for a more passionate kiss.

Kelly groaned quietly...her hand moving up to touch Eddie's cheek as she fell right into his kiss.

Eddie couldn't believe he was doing this. Kissing Kelly felt so much different this time around because it wasn't just meant to be a friendly kiss...she meant more to him now.

Sticking his tongue out she licked her lips gently asking for entrance.

Kelly opened her mouth to Eddie right away...the kiss feeling right to her.

Eddie let his tongue move into Kelly's mouth and soon found himself kissing her deeply, a small moan escaping his lips.

Kelly smiled softly against Eddie's lips as she kissed him back...amused by the little noise that he'd made.

Lynn walked into the room and a big smile played over her lips when she saw Eddie and Kelly kissing. Thinking she better stop them before the doctor found them. Clearing her throat she walked fully into the room.

Eddie pulled back when he heard Lynn clear her throat and actually blushed bright red.

Kelly laughed quietly...reaching up to run the back of her hand over mouth.

"Didn't mean to interrupt but the doctor should be here soon." Lynn giggled.

Eddie sat back down in his chair, still blushing. "Thanks, Lynn."

"Yeah...thank you," Kelly said almost shyly...her fingers reaching for Eddie's again.

Eddie automatically took hold of Kelly's hand, not even realizing it.

Lynn took a seat next to Eddie, looking back and forth between the two younger people.

"How was the coffee down in the cafeteria?" Kelly asked Lynn...just making conversation.

"It was good...I actually saw an old friend, so we talked for a while." Lynn answered.

"I'm gonna go pee." Eddie said standing up and walking to the bathroom quickly, wanting to be done before the doctor came back.

Kelly watched Eddie leave the room, then looked at Lynn. "Lynn...I'm so sorry about everything."

Lynn's eyes went wide and she quickly moved to take Kelly's hand in hers now. "Kelly...honey you didn't do anything...I know this didn't happen on purpose."

"I know...but still. Justin told me how excited you were to have a grandchild."

Lynn smiled a little. "I was excited...but just like you two were becoming excited to be parents."

Kelly nodded. "I really was," she said sadly.

"But you can have a bunch of babies. You can't give up after something like this." Lynn said softly. "God has a plan for you and right now having a baby wasn't a part of it...he knows exactly what he's doing."

"I know he does," Kelly said...then laughed quietly. "He's really putting me to the test right now, though."

"It sounds like he's doing that with all of you guys."

Kelly nodded. "To a point, I guess."

"Well...don't worry about me being angry, sweetie...cuz I'm too young to be a grandma anyway." Lynn smiled..."I still have my chances." she said even though she had a feeling that wouldn't happen.

Kelly nodded. "You do. I KNOW you do. Cuz...no matter who Justin decides to be with, he's going to want to be a father one day...and he WILL be."

Lynn nodded. "I hope so." She admitted. "But I also really love Nick...he's a lot better then any of the girls Justin's been with." She then thought about what she said and giggled. "I didn't quite mean it like that." she blushed.

Kelly just nodded...swallowing hard. Lynn was right. Nick was a lot better...than her, too.

Lynn felt bad, she hadn't meant it like that. "You were my favorite." She said with a smile. "Compared to Britney and Cameron and whoever else. You are so down to earth and a genuine sweet girl...but for some reason I just knew you and Justin were meant to be friends."

"Too bad me and him didn't know that right away."

"You needed to figure it out for yourselves."

"And we definitely did...didn't we?"

"Without you...I don't think Nick and Justin would be together." Lynn said with another small smile. "You were their only support for a while...from the very beginning. Without the intimacy you two had I don't think you would be as good of friends...and this baby had just brought you closer...and it being gone wont tear you apart I know that for a fact."

"I hope not. Justin means the world to me."

"YOU mean the world to HIM."

"Good morning, miss Kelly," her doctor said as he entered the room...interrupting Kelly's conversation with Lynn.

Kelly smiled at the doctor. "Hi Dr. Brett."

Hearing the doctor come into the room, Eddie figured he could come back out. He had stayed in the bathroom a little longer to give Kelly and Lynn a moment. Opening the door he walked out and smiled at the doctor. "Mornin Doc."

Lynn moved back to her own chair and gave a friendly smile to the doctor.

"Good morning, all," the doctor greeted. "How are you feeling this morning?" he asked Kelly...going over to check her pulse and her heart.

Kelly shrugged. "Alright, I guess. Definitely better."

The doctor nodded as he referred to his chart...taking a deep breath. "OK. Well...I have some information for you."

Kelly just nodded...eager...yet scared...to hear what the doctor had to say.

Eddie held onto Kelly's hand tightly as he turned to hear what the doctor had to say.

Lynn just stayed quiet and also waited.

The doctor looked up from his paperwork, and glanced quickly between Lynn and Eddie.

"Are you the father?" he asked Eddie.

Eddie shook his head. "No Sir...the father couldn't be here...I'm kinda in his place."

Kelly looked at the doctor. "They're my family, Doctor. I want them to hear everything."

Dr. Brett nodded. "Alright, then," he said...looking back down at Kelly's chart.

Eddie licked his lips and squeezed Kelly's hand tightly, trying to show her he was here for her.

The doctor took another deep breath. "May as well start with why this happened," he said quietly.

Kelly nodded...swallowing hard.

"It's okay." Eddie mouthed to Kelly

"First of all...I don't think your body was ready to handle being pregnant...mainly because of your size. You're a small girl to begin with, and with your low body weight...your body couldn't handle the sudden demands of the pregnancy."

Kelly was confused. "But I'm not really underweight."

The doctor nodded. "I know...but like I mentioned to you in the office a few weeks ago, your body fat is extremely low. The bulk of your weight is in muscle."

Kelly just nodded...waiting for the doctor to go on.

"It's not like she doesn't eat though." Eddie thought he would point out.

"I know. But like a lot of athletes, she burns off as much as...if not more than...she's taking in."

Eddie nodded, knowing that well from his own body. "Right."

The doctor too another deep breath. "And then there's the trauma you suffered. You and I talked years ago about how badly it affected your uterus and cervix."

Kelly nodded again...sighing quietly. She'd known deep inside that that had been a factor.

"Is this going to happen if she wants to have kids in the future?" Lynn asked, speaking up for the first time.

"I was getting to that," Dr. Brett said slowly. "I honestly don't know if you'll ever be able to carry a pregnancy to it's full term," he said...looking at Kelly.

Kelly gasped quietly...her hand going over her mouth as she started to cry immediately.

Lynn had close to the same reaction. She felt so terrible for the young woman. She knew what it was like to not be able to have children. After Justin she hadn't been able to have more.

Eddie felt like fucking punching the bastard that did this too her so bad right then that his fists clenched. The hand that was holding her hand held on so tight it probably hurt but he didn't think about it.

Kelly jerked her hand out of Eddie's squeezing one to reach up and wipe her tears. "Umm...are you sure?" she finally asked the doctor.

Doctor Brett shrugged. "Not a hundred percent, but it honestly doesn't look good. Your uterus is somewhat collapsed, and too frail to support a fetus at this point."

"There's no way to fix that?" Eddie asked softly.

"Sometimes the uterus can strengthen and heal over time...but it could take years before we see that...if it happens at all."

Kelly sighed. "What else could happen?"

"The opposite," Dr. Brett said. "It could continue to deteriorate...and the damage to get worse...in which case a full hysterectomy might be the only option to ensure your continuing health."

"You've got to be kidding," Kelly breathed out.

The doctor shook his head. "I'm sorry."

"She's too young for that." Lynn said shaking her head in disbelief

"Could it harm her if you don't do that soon enough? Like if you wait to see if it's going to go the way of getting stronger but really it ends up weakening? Could it harm her to wait and find out what's going to happen?" Eddie asked, trying to be strong and ask mature questions when really he wanted to yell and scream.

"We have time. If things DO start getting worse, she'll feel effects of it...and we'll be able to take care of it when the time comes."

Eddie nodded, slightly glad to hear that.

Kelly took a long, deep breath. "So...now what?"

"Yeah, is she supposed to take medication for this, and when does she get to go home?" Eddie asked, getting slightly aggravated. Not really at the doctor but the situation.

Dr. Brett looked down at Kelly's chart again as he spoke. "She won't need any medication for the time being. I'll probably just put her on some iron pills to make sure her blood stays replenished and healthy, and she doesn't develop any type of Anemia. As for going home...I'm going to make you stick around at least one more night..." he said...looking at Kelly. "...just so we can keep an eye on your pulse...and...I'm going to have you meet with a counselor in the morning to talk about setting up some appointments."

Kelly just nodded...taking another deep breath to keep herself calm.

Lynn nodded her head. "I think that sounds like a good idea. We wouldn't want her going home before she's fully ready."

Eddie looked down at his hands, playing with a hangnail on his right thumb. He so badly wanted to go out and seriously hurt the man that did this to Kelly and it was taking all his will power to not go punching something, or someone.

The doctor nodded. "That's right. And that brings us to your aftercare instructions."

Eddie looked up from his hands to listen to what the doctor had to say.

"Bed rest the first week. I want you in bed or on the couch for most of the day so you can get all your strength back. Get up a few times a day to use the bathroom...shower...take a little walk...but that's it. So...you should really consider having someone stay with you for that first week."

Kelly just nodded...waiting to see what was coming next.

Eddie squeezed Kelly's hand as he listened to what the doctor said. He knew he wouldn't be leaving her, and had a good feeling that Lynn would be staying around too.

"I'll probably be staying that long." Lynn stated. "She's staying at my son's house and so am I so it works out perfectly."

Dr. Brett nodded. "That's perfect. She'll need some motherly attention," he said...smiling at Lynn.

Lynn smiled back. "That I can do."

Kelly glanced at Lynn and managed a small smile. "Thanks."

"You're very welcome honey, I wouldn't be any place else." Lynn said with another smile in Kelly's direction.

"I'll be sticking around too." Eddie finally spoke up.

Kelly looked at Eddie and nodded.

"OK..." the doctor went on. "...and no heavy activity or exercise for two to three weeks...and no intercourse for four to six weeks," he said...glancing from Kelly to Eddie and back to his chart. "I'll examine you and let you know when that will be OK."

Eddie actually blushed and looked down at his hands that were resting on Kelly's bed.

Kelly swallowed hard. "We're umm...not like that."

The doctor smirked. "You two seem close...so it was just a friendly reminder. No sex with this guy OR anyone else...that better?"

Kelly managed a smile. "Got it."

Eddie looked back up and giggled. "I'll make sure of it, doc."

"Why isn't that reassuring?" Lynn giggled with a raised eyebrow, trying to keep the mood light.

The doctor chuckled as he closed Kelly's chart. "Alright...I guess that's it for now. Any questions?" he asked...looking back and forth between everyone in the room.

"Do you think I could get those after care instructions in writing?" Lynn asked. "I have a feeling my son would like to see them." She knew how protective Justin was of Kelly and had a feeling that he would feel a lot more comfortable if he had more of an idea of what was going on.

Dr. Brett nodded. "Absolutely. I'll have the nurse get you a copy. Anything else?"

Kelly shook her head. "I'm OK for now."

Eddie also shook his head. "If I think of something, I'll holla."

The doctor nodded again. "OK. I'm going to keep you on the IV drip til morning just incase to keep you nourished, but feel free to eat whatever you want as long as you're up for it."

"OK," Kelly said with a smile. "Thanks for everything."

"Yeah, thanks doc." Eddie said with a smile of his own.

"Yes, thank you you've been more then helpful." Lynn said, getting up to shake the doctors hand.

Dr. Brett returned Lynn's handshake. "My pleasure. I'll be back to check on things in the morning, but let a nurse know if you need me for anything before that."

Eddie nodded his head at the doctor.

Kelly took a deep breath once the doctor left the room...not able to stop the tears from filling her eyes. "Lynn...would you mind calling Justin and letting him know everything the doctor said? I can't...talk to him just yet."

Lynn nodded her head. "I was just about to go do that actually. And fax him the after care instructions the doctor mentioned." The older woman leaned over Kelly's bed and kissed her forehead. "Everything will be okay, sweetheart, just have faith."

Kelly nodded. "Thanks, Lynn...for everything."

Pulling back, Lynn smiled and nodded. "You mean a lot to my Justin and have become a part of our family...nothing will ever change that." With that said, she waved and headed out of the room to go make the phone call and fax the paper work.

Once Lynn was gone, Eddie took Kelly's hand in his again and squeezed it tightly. "I'm so sorry, baby...so very sorry."

Kelly took a shaky breath as she reached her free hand up to wipe her tears. "Me, too," she whispered.

Bringing Kelly's hand up to his lips, he kissed it tenderly. "Lynn is right though, everything is going to be okay. You've got all of us supporting you one hundred percent."

"I know that," Kelly said...looking into Eddie's eyes. "But...what if I can't have kids, Ed?"

"Then you will adopt a litter." Eddie giggled. "Of children or kittens or puppies whatever you want."

Kelly sniffled. "But...I wouldn't be surprised if no man wants to marry me because I can't have his children. A lot of people are against adoption."

Eddie shook his head. "Then that man wouldn't be for you. There are I'm sure a lot of men who aren't like that." He wanted to say that HE wasn't one of those guys but didn't feel that was something he should really say.

Kelly sniffled again...nodding quickly. "We'll see, I guess."

A beautiful young nurse strolled into the room at that point...her uniform modern and stylish, and her perfectly curled blonde hair pulled into a ponytail. "Good morning," she said as she walked over to change Kelly's IV bag.

Kelly just gave the nurse a small smile. She remembered her from early the previous morning.

"Is she draining those things like she's supposed to?" Eddie asked the nurse, talking about the IV bags.

The nurse nodded...giving Eddie a bright smile. "Yes. Everything's fine. She seems to be doing well this morning."

Eddie smiled back. "That's good to hear."

Kelly glanced over at Eddie. "Why don't you go down and get some breakfast...or at least some coffee. I'm worried about you."

"I'm okay." Eddie said with a shrug. He wasn't going to mention he hadn't eaten much since he had been back in LA.

"Please...? For me...? Just...bring something back if you don't wanna stay in the cafeteria. I know you...and I know you haven't been eating."

"And how do you know that?" Eddie asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I just know," Kelly said before looking over at the nurse resetting the numbers on her IV monitor.

"Okay, I guess I'll go down and grab something and then maybe call my mom or something. She doesn't even know I'm back here." Eddie said giggling sheepishly.

"Yes...then call your mom. Tell her I said hello."

"I will." Eddie leaned over and placed a tender kiss to Kelly's lips, not caring about the nurse still in the room. "I'll be back soon."

"Take your time."

Eddie smiled and nodded. "Okay, but I WILL be back, there is no getting rid of me." With that Eddie walked out of the hospital room and headed for the elevator to take him downstairs.

The nurse watched Eddie leave the room, then looked at Kelly as she started making some notes in her chart. "Who's the hot guy?"

Kelly raised an eyebrow. "Eddie…?“

“Is that his name?"

Kelly nodded. "Yeah...he's a friend."

The nurse smiled over the top of the chart. "Just a friend?"

"Yes...just a friend. One of my BEST friends."

"Lucky girl," the nurse remarked before heading out of the room.

Kelly sighed and shook her head as she watched the nurse leave.

About twenty minutes later, Eddie made his way back down the hall of Kelly's floor. Wanting to make sure that Lynn had gotten the information she wanted he stopped at the nurses desk. "Excuse me."

The young nurse looked up from her paperwork, and smiled brightly at Eddie. "Hello."

Recognizing the nurse from Kelly's room a few minutes earlier, Eddie smiled back. "Hi, I was just wondering if Lynn got paper work she wanted to fax, faxed."

The nurse nodded. "Yes...she did. Everything's all set. Eddie, is it?"

Eddie nodded his head. "Yeah...Lisa." He said looking at the young nurses name tag.

Lisa nodded. "That's right. Umm...I hope this doesn't sound unprofessional...but...I have a break in about an hour. Would you like to get some coffee, or something?"

Eddie wasn't too shocked that Lisa asked that, but unlike normal he had no desire to do anything like that. "It's a nice offer, but I need to be spending time with my friend."

Lisa nodded. "I understand. Maybe...dinner tonight?"

"I'm sorry, but I'm not interested. Now if you would excuse me." Eddie turned and headed back down the hall to Kelly's room wondering if maybe he could of handled that just a little better. Shaking that feeling off he walked into the room. "Hey girly."

Lisa watched Eddie walk away from the desk and rolled her eyes.

Kelly glanced at Eddie and smiled. "Hi."

"Hey I was thinking of taking a little nap. Wanna scooch?" Eddie asked humor in his eyes as he hopped up to sit on the edge of Kelly's bed.

Kelly pointed at Eddie's bag of food. "Aren't you gonna eat?"

"Oh right." Eddie giggled as he got back off the bed and walked to sit at a table on the other side of the room. "Guess I should do that, huh."

Kelly pouted a bit. "Not over there."

"But you know I'm a messy eater." Eddie laughed.

"You are not. Now...come here. I mean...unless you don't wanna be near me."

Eddie rolled his eyes playfully as he got up and headed back to Kelly's bed. Feeling silly he climbed back on and gently scooted next to her on the bed then pulled the bed tray over. "There I'm close and I can be messy."

"What'd you get?" Kelly asked...carefully moving over a bit to give Eddie room.

"Turkey sandwich and potato chips." Eddie said as he took the food out of the bag. "Oh and an apple juice."

Kelly made a face. "It's still breakfast time."

Eddie laughed. "You know I don't do breakfast."

"I know," Kelly said as she watched Eddie take his food out and put it on the tray.

Taking the wrapper off the sandwich, Eddie held half of it up to Kelly. "Want some?"

Kelly shrugged. "I don't know if I should."

"The doctor said you could as long a you felt up to it." Eddie reminded her through a mouth full.

Kelly nodded. "I know...but...not yet. Maybe I'll eat later."

Eddie nodded as he eat in silence for a few minutes. His mind still thinking about what had happened out in the hallway. Part of him still amazed that he had turned her down.

"That nurse was asking about you," Kelly suddenly said as she flipped through the TV channels.

"What?" Eddie asked too quickly, shocked that Kelly mentioned her when that was who he was thinking about right that second.

Kelly nodded...her eyes on the TV. "As soon as you left...she wanted to know who the hot guy was."

Feeling like he should be honest, Eddie turned to look at Kelly. "She asked me out."

Kelly chuckled. "I'm not surprised," she said...then turned to Eddie. "When are you going out with her?"

"I'm not."

"How come? She's cute."

Eddie shrugged his shoulders. "I didn't feel like it I guess."

"Oh...OK," Kelly said...looking back at the TV.

"I had to leave a message with my mom." Eddie said out of the blue. "So she might be calling back soon."

Kelly nodded. "OK. Ya know...I kinda did a little quick thinking while you were gone."

"Oh...what about?" Eddie asked as he nibbled on his chips.

"Can I have a sip?" Kelly asked...pointing at Eddie's apple juice.

"Of course." Eddie said, handing Kelly his apple juice bottle.

"Thanks," Kelly said...taking the open bottle and taking a few small sips.

Eddie was quiet, as he waited for Kelly to tell him what she had been thinking about.

Kelly handed the bottle back to Eddie. "I think I'm thirsty."

Eddie giggled. "Is that what you wanted to tell me?"

"Oh...no. I umm...I think I'm gonna sell my house."

"What?...why?" Eddie asked with wide eyes. "You were so proud of it."

Kelly nodded...a small smile on her face. "I know. But...I don't really need it anymore. All the space, I mean."

"You really didn't need all that space for a baby either." Eddie pointed out. "I think you should still keep it."

Kelly shook her head. "I don't want to," she said quietly...tearing up a bit. "I bought it for the baby."

Eddie looked at Kelly and quickly put his food down to wrap her into a hug. "Oh, honey. I'm sorry. I didn't realize. If this is really what you want then that is what you should do."

Kelly just nodded...sniffling a bit as she rested her head on Eddie's shoulder.

Eddie closed his eyes as he held Kelly in his arms. He let up a silent prayer that he would have the strength that was needed to help Kelly for the days to come and that he would heal Kelly's aching heart.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

Justin sighed. "Yeah. OK, mama. Thank you for calling. Yeah...yeah...I'll give her some time, then I'll call her," Justin said into the phone.

Nick was in the middle of taking a nice warm bath when Lynn called Justin. Relaxing back against the tub he hummed a little song and tried to work the kinks out of his back that he got from falling asleep on the couch in a really weird position earlier that day. "Okay I really am getting old." He laughed to himself.

"OK...yeah...Tina will get it and give it to me...she won't read it if it's confidential. Yeah...OK. Love you, too. Bye, mama." Justin hung up his phone, then sighed as he took a deep breath and stretched.

Nick continued to hum as he relaxed not really knowing what was going on out in the rest of the room.

Justin dropped his phone onto the table by Nick's bed, then got up to go stand in the bathroom doorway. "That was my mom," he said...looking over at Nick.

"You can come in if you want to." Nick called back, having a feeling his boyfriend needed to talk.

Justin stepped into the room and boosted himself up to sit on the counter. "They just met with Kelly's doctor."

Nick turned his head to look at Justin. "I have a feeling that he didn't have good news."

Justin shrugged. "She's gonna be OK. But...I mean...she..." Justin paused and took a shaky breath. "There's a good chance she won't ever be able to have children."

Nick's eyes went wide. "Whoa...do they know what caused the miscarriage?" He asked curiously.

"It was probably partyly because her body wasn't physically ready to handle being pregnant."

"Yeah." Nick said with a nod of his head. "That is terrible, poor Kelly."

Justin nodded. "It's awful. She's so young...and she has ALL her childbearing years ahead of her."

"It's not fair." Nick stated with a sigh as he sat up more in the tub to reach for a bar of soap.

"Not at all," Justin agreed...his eyes on Nick. "But…something else the doctor said made no sense to my mother...OR to me."

"What was that?" Nick asked curiously as he held the soap in his hand but made no movement to use it. All his attention was on Justin.

"That...her uterus couldn't handle the pregnancy, either...because of the trauma she'd previously suffered. I have no idea what that could mean. I don't know of any trauma she's suffered."

Nick's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "I don't know either, but that doesn't surprise me since I've only know her for a little over a month."

Justin nodded slowly. "Now...I know Kelly...and I know she's not one for rough, kinky sex...so...I'm thinking the only thing it could mean..."

Nick swallowed hard, his mind going over a few things too that he didn't really want to consider. "What are you thinking, Justin?" He asked softly.

"That she must have been raped," Justin said in a near-whisper.

Biting is lower lip, Nick nodded his head. "I was thinking that too." He answered back just as softly. "But I mean...wouldn't she have like told you that?"

Justin shrugged. "I don't know. I mean...maybe I'm WAY wrong here. What the hell do *I* know?"

Giggling, Nick smiled a little. "You know a lot more then you think." He said as he finally went about using the soap to wash his shoulders and chest.

"Not about Kelly, I guess," Justin said quietly...staring off into space.

"If that is the case, baby...I'm sure she has her reasons for not telling you." Nick said softly.

Justin nodded. "I know," he said...then sighed quietly. "God...I just hope she can make it through this. I mean...if I'm taking it as bad as I am, I can't even imagine how SHE feels."

"I know what you mean." Nick said with a sigh as he continued to wash himself. "Just be thankful that she has your mom and Eddie there to help her and that you'll be there as soon as you can."

Justin nodded. "She's on bed rest for a week once she gets home, so my mom's gonna stay with her at my house."

Nick nodded back at Justin. "That's good."

"And mama said Eddie's bein really good to her...so..."

"But she still needs you." Nick said, wanting Justin to make sure he remembered that Eddie or her mom wasn't taking his place.

Justin nodded. "I know...and I wanna be there with her so bad."

"I know watching me take a bath isn't THAT fun but sheesh do you really want to leave that badly?" Nick asked a big smile on his face to show he was teasing.

Justin took a deep breath. He just wasn't in a joking mood. "I haven't even really talked to her, Nick. I'm like...scared to. I have no idea what to say."

"I think you just need to talk to her like nothing happened." Nick said as he leaned back to rinse off. "But you need to, baby cuz she's going to think you DON"T want to talk to her."

"Yeah...I know."

Once he was rinsed off, Nick stood up and grabbed a towel wrapping it around his waist as he stepped out of the tub. "But don't do it until you're ready either."

Justin nodded. "I know. Maybe later. It's only around noon there."

"Yeah." Nick nodded back as he walked to stand in front of Justin. "I really admire you right now."

"Why's that?"

Nick licked his lips as he tried to think of how to word what he wanted to say. "You're being very strong through all of this. I don't think I could do it."

"Sometimes I don't think *I* can do it."

"Why not?" Nick asked as he rested his hands gently on Justin's knees.

"It's just so weird. I mean...one minute I'm trying to figure out how I'm gonna get myself ready to be a father. And then the next...I'm trying to figure out how to deal with losing the baby I didn't even think I was ready for. Not to mention I'm stuck thousands of miles away from Kelly when she needs me most."

"I can't even begin to imagine how you feel, Justin. I wish I could be more help." Nick said sadly. He hadn't been sure how to help Justin through this and it was making him feel helpless at times.

Justin took a deep breath. "Just having you here is helping more than you know," he said...wrapping his arms around Nick's neck.

Nick smiled a little. "Good...cuz I know I can always do that...be here."

"I hope so," Justin said...leaning into Nick and burying his face in his neck.

Nick wrapped his arms around Justin as he stood between his legs and held him tightly. "I'm not going any place." He whispered as he placed a tender kiss to the top of Justin's head.

"Please don't...cuz I need you," Justin said quietly.

Hearing Justin say that made Nick's heart sore even though he knew that Justin might only be saying that because he was scared and sad. "Then you have me." Nick whispered again.

"Thank you," Justin whispered against Nick's neck as he hugged him tighter.

"I'm getting you all wet." Nick mumbled against Justin's cheek.

"I don't care. Just want you to hold me for a minute."

"Okay." Nick whispered as he pulled Justin even closer to him holding him tightly. "I love you." He said, feeling it might be something that Justin needed to hear.

"I know," Justin said...then took a deep breath. "I love you, too."

Nick felt his breath catch in his throat and wasn't really sure how to react to that. Part of him wanted to pull back and talk to Justin about it. The other part just wanted to continue to hold him and make no big deal about it.

Justin wrapped his arms tighter around Nick's neck...squeezing his eyes shut as he just enjoyed the closeness.

Nick couldn't help the tears that were in his eyes. Sometimes he could still hear his dad yelling at him that only queers cry and that he needed to toughen up. But right now he didn't give a shit. So many emotions were going through his mind at that moment it was almost overwhelming.

Justin finally pulled back and wiped at the tears in his eyes. "Sorry...I'm engulfing you."

Nick giggled a little as he wiped at his own eyes. "You don't hear me complaining do you?

Justin shrugged.

"Did you mean it?" Nick asked softly, looking into Justin's eyes. He tried to hold back from asking, but he needed to know.

"Did I mean what?"

Nick bit his lower lip. "That you love me."

"Of course."

Nick looked down, trying to hide the huge smile that came over his face.

Justin kissed Nick's cheek. "I DO love you...and I'm sorry it took me so long to say it."

Looking back up, the smile still not gone yet. He felt bad for smiling when things were so sucky other wise, but he couldn't help it. "It really hasn't been that long. We haven't even been boyfriends for a month yet." He pointed out.

"I know."

"I didn't want you saying it until you were ready anyway."

Justin nodded. "I was...I am."

Nick bit his lower lip again and giggled nervously. "You had my heart jumping into my throat when you said that."

"I'm sorry," Justin said with a small smile.

"In a good way." Nick added still smiling. "A very good way, nobody has ever said that to me before."

"Well I feel special, then."

Nick laughed. "You should feel special all the time, cuz you are."

"Thanks...but you are, too."

"Thanks." Nick said as he leaned forward a bit so he could place a gentle kiss to Justin's lips.

Justin reached his hands up to lightly touch Nick's cheeks as he kissed him back.

Nick couldn't help the soft moan that escaped his lips as he deepened the kiss just a little bit. His own hands going to move down to the small of Justin's back.

Justin groaned quietly as he accepted Nick's deeper kiss...his hands sliding to the back of Nick's neck.

After another few seconds, Nick let his tongue slowly sneak out of his mouth to trace Justin's lips gently asking for entrance.

Justin opened his mouth to Nick right away...needing the closeness of the kiss.

Once he felt Justin's mouth open Nick's tongue slipped inside and started to slowly move around in Justin's mouth. Pulling Justin's body closer to his he began to kiss his boyfriend passionately trying to show him how much he loved him through the kiss.

Justin groaned again as he pressed his tongue out to meet Nick's.

Feeling Justin's tongue and hearing him groan made Nick groan too as he let his tongue 'play' with Justin's sensually. His hands moved down to rest right above Justin's ass.

Justin groaned a bit louder as his tongue battled Nick's in an erotic kiss that had his insides heating up.

Nick could feel the room getting hotter around him and he knew it wasn't from the left over steam in the room from the bathtub. Needing to feel skin, Nick let his hands move up under Justin's t-shirt to rest on his lower back but this time underneath as he continued to kiss Justin back just as erotically.

Feeling Nick's hands on his skin, Justin broke the kiss in order to lift his t-shirt up over his head.

Trying to take in much needed air, Nick watched Justin take his shirt off with now slightly heavy lidded eyes. Reaching out the short distance he needed to he drew a line down Justin's bare chest taking in the sight that he never got tired of.

Justin chuckled at the ticklish feeling on Nick's finger on his chest. "Hey..."

"Oops sorry." Nick giggled deeply as he moved his hands away long enough to place them back on Justin's back, his eyes looking right at the younger man's.

"You know I'm ticklish."

"I do." Nick smiled. "But I forgot." He said as he pulled Justin as close to him as he could without him falling off of the counter.

Justin smirked. "Oh...you're still wearing this?" he asked...gripping the towel at Nick's waist.

Nick looked down at the towel and then back up at Justin. "Yup, it's still there."

"Why?" Justin asked...loosening the towel and letting it fall to the floor.

"I was planning on drying off." Nick said, his voice deeper then it had been even seconds ago.

"You're dry enough," Justin said...his hands settling on the round globes of Nick's ass.

Nick sucked in a deep breath, his lower lip automatically going between his teeth when he felt Justin's hands on his ass. "Y...yeah." He said as he let his own hands find their way down the back of Justin's sweats to rest on his ass the best he could with him sitting down.

Justin laughed quietly and kissed Nick's chin.

"Why are you laughing." Nick asked with a husky giggle of his own as he tilted his head a bit so Justin could get to his chin better.

"I don't know," Justin said...trailing his kisses to Nick's neck.

Nick tilted his head even more as he moaned softly. "Okay." He said as he let his hands move to rest on Justin's hips under his sweats.

"Can we go to bed?" Justin asked quietly. Sure...it was only around nine o'clock...but he wasn't planning on sleeping.

Nick pulled back and removed his hands. "Okay." He said again as he took Justin's hand and let him jump off the counter.

Justin slid off the counter, then led Nick out of the bathroom.

Not saying anything, Nick let Justin lead him out of the bathroom and into the bedroom that he felt like he could almost call 'their' room or at least one of 'their' rooms since it was a rare thing now if either of them spent the night in separate rooms anymore.

Justin let go of Nick's hand to crawl onto the bed, and sighed quietly as he settled on his back.

"Are you okay?" Nick asked softly as he too climbed onto the bed and lied down next to Justin. Propping his head up in his hand as he lied on his side he looked down at Justin.

Justin nodded. "Yeah."

"Okay." Nick said just as softly as he leaned over and placed another kiss to Justin's lips. It was gentle because he wasn't exactly sure what Justin had meant by going to bed. He would understand if his boyfriend was tired and wanted to go to sleep.

Justin lifted his head a bit to kiss Nick again...a bit deeper than Nick's initial kiss.

Moving around a little bit so he was in a better position, Nick brought his hands to Justin's head as he kissed the younger man back at the same intensity as he had.

Justin spread his legs a bit...allowing room for Nick to settle between them as they kissed.

Nick moved again so he was settled between Justin’s spread legs as he deepened the kiss more by gently slipping his tongue into his mouth again.

Justin's tongue immediately started working against Nick's again as his hands found their way back to his boyfriend's ass.

No matter how much he tried to stop it the normal shiver and low moan happened once Justin had his hands on his ass again. His tongue once again moved erotically against his boyfriend's as his own hands ran over his buzzed head.

Justin found himself getting totally lost in Nick's erotic attention, but then suddenly pulled away as if he'd been struck with an electric shock.

Nick pulled back quickly too, not understanding Justin's sudden movement. "Baby, what's wrong?" He asked softly as he looked down into Justin's eyes.

Justin took a deep breath. "I...I shouldn't be doing this...right now."

"Why?" Nick questioned even though he thought he knew the answer.

"It just...it doesn't feel right. Not right now." Justin took another deep breath. "I'm sorry, baby...it's not you."

Nick closed his eyes and nodded his head, trying to not act upset. He understood and he knew most of all he was supposed to be comforting Justin. "I know...it's okay." He said softly once his eyes were open again.

"No...it's not...and I know you're pissed."

Nick smiled a small smile and shook his head. "I'm not pissed, I have no reason to be pissed."

"Yeah you do. I made it seem like you were gonna get some action."

"I'm supposed to be comforting you, helping you through this tough time. I don't want you doing something you don't feel is right, Justin." Nick said sincerely.

"But...I need you to understand that...I DO wanna do things. I just...I just can't...cuz the more I think about it, the more I realize I need to just...deal with this whole baby thing right now."

Nick smiled a little as he leaned down to give Justin a gentle kiss on the nose. "Baby I know this has nothing to do with you not wanting to fool around with me. You're grieving and to be honest I was actually going to stop things before they got too far."

Justin sighed quietly. "Thank you."

"I will cuddle you, love you as much as I can, but sexual acts aren't the way to try and hide from your problems. It may seem like it for a while but it's not." Nick said softly, not meaning that was what Justin was doing but trying to further tell him that he understood.

Justin nodded. "Thank you..." he said again. "...so much."

"You're welcome." Nick said as he relaxed down so he was resting on Justin's chest. "Now what are we gunna do...it's too early to go to sleep."

"We can just talk."

Nick nodded his head. "Okay that sounds like a good idea."

"Tell me how YOU'VE been feeling about all this."

It took Nick a few minutes to think about that question. He wasn't exactly sure HOW he felt about it. "I guess I'm just scared I don't know how to help you like I said earlier."

"Forget about me for a second. How do YOU feel?"

"I'm scared to death and sad for Kelly." Nick whispered. "It's also sort of making me think about how I sort of lost my own baby in a way even though it's not really the same thing."

"Yeah...that's true."

"But I try hard not to think about that."

"Sometimes you can't help it, though," Justin said...wrapping his arms around Nick's back.

"Yeah." Nick said with a deep sigh. "I guess it was for the best though, I mean what was I going to do with a kid at fourteen, especially when I was questioning my sexuality and everything."

Justin nodded. "Yeah...that's true."

After not saying anything for a good two minutes, Nick finally spoke again. "And right now, if what we're thinking about Kelly is true, I'm about ready to go beat somebody up. Cuz you don't do shit like that!"

Justin took a shaky breath...disturbed by the thought. "Like I said...I could be jumping to conclusions. But...maybe she'll eventually tell me."

"Right." Nick nodded, as he quickly tried to find a way to change the subject. Wanting to get on something a little lighter and less depressing. "Have you found out when your next day off yet is so we can go out sight seeing together?" He asked, knowing to not get his hopes up.

"Well...today's Friday. No show tonight...umm...I think it's Wednesday. I'll have them clear my whole day."

Nick couldn't help the smile that spread across his face. "Really?"

Justin nodded.

"Okay cool." Nick said, trying to contain his excitement.

"It'll be fun."

Nick nodded his head, hoping that Justin could indeed relax a bit and have fun.

"I'm glad Kelly has Eddie," Justin said suddenly. "My mom says he's being really good to her."

"Me too." Nick said with a nod as he lifted his head up to look down into Justin's eyes again. "He seems to be a really loyal friend."

Justin nodded. "He is. But...I don't know...I think you might have been right about it being more than that with those two."

"Maybe so." Nick said with a small smile. "I don't know why but I have a really good feeling that he's gunna be good for her."

"My mom walked in on them kissing."

Nick's eyes went wide. "Whoa...really...Like kissing, kissing. Or peck on the lips kissing?"

"Like..really kissing," Justin answered. "But she said it was kind of innocent...in a weird way. She was in her hospital bed...mama had left them to go get some coffee...and he was kissing her when she got back.”

Nick smiled a little. "That is really cute."

Justin shrugged. "I guess so. But...why do you think he's gonna be good for her? I mean...we all said that about Marty, too."

"Well the idea that he's sticking by her side while she's in the hospital is a good sign." Nick pointed out. "I mean you really have to love somebody to help them when they are that sick. I mean no matter how much you really like your friend it's not abnormal for you to feel odd around them in a hospital."

Justin nodded. "Yeah...I guess that's true."

"And I don't know I mean I just have this feeling." Nick giggled. "Sounds stupid I know."

Justin chuckled. "What kind of feeling?"

"Besides the one that my leg is falling asleep?" Nick smirked as he wiggled around a bit to get his leg in a better position on top of Justin.

"Yeah...besides that one."

"Just a feeling that things are going to be okay. Not just with Kelly and Eddie exactly but with everything."

"We'll see. I'm worried about Marty, too."

"Seems like everything decided to get screwy at the same time." Nick said with a sigh.

"Ain't that the truth."

"At least we seem to be good." Nick said trying to put light on the subject.

"I definitely think so."

"It kinda sucks though in a way." Nick said with a pout. "I mean I almost feel guilty that we're okay and everybody else is having problems."

"It's not like we haven't had our fair share...and it's not like we have NO problems right now. I mean...Kelly's biggest problem is my problem, too...in a way."

"We sure have had our fair share." Nick giggled a little. "And you're right and what is your problem is my problem."

"Thank you for the support," Justin said sincerely.

"I know you would have done the same for me." Nick said, hoping it was true.

"Of course I would have...and I hope you really believe that."

Nick smiled and nodded. "I do, I believe it." Looking down into Justin's eyes he sighes contently. "We have really come a long way, you and me."

"I know...sometimes it's still really hard to believe...for me, anyway."

"It is for me too, I never expected to have a boyfriend." Nick said quietly, not even mentioning the fact of WHO his boyfriend was because right that second he actually totally forgot.

"Well you do...so deal with it," Justin said with a laugh.

"Oh I'm dealing." Nick laughed too. "Pretty well I think."

"I think so, too."

"Once we got past the clingy issue." Nick pointed out.

"You've been doing good."

Nick smiled, blushing a little. "I've been trying."

"And you've been doing well. Besides...I like having you around."

"That's good to know." Nick laughed. "It wouldn't be a good thing if you didn't like having your boyfriend around."

"That's true."

"I wonder if anybody else has noticed that we don't spend much time alone, especially at night." Nick wondered out-loud a thoughtful look on his face.

Justin shrugged. "Who cares? I'm sick of caring."

Nick looked down at Justin the thoughtful look turning to one that was slightly shocked. "You don't care if the rest of the crew and your people know about us?"

"I do...but I don't."

"Do you think any of them are going to look at you badly?"

"I really don't know. I'd like to think I don't deal with people like that."

"But then you also have to be careful that somebody doesn't spill and it gets out everywhere." Nick said with a sigh.

"THAT'S the problem.”

"I'll dress in drag." Nick giggled.

"Gross."

"Yeah...I would make a huge girl." Nick said laughing more. "You don't nomrally see over six feet girls."

"Gross," Justin said again.

Hearing that just made Nick laugh even more. Leaning down to give Justin a soft peck on the lips he mumbled against them. "Am I grossing you out, baby?"

"Extremely," Justin mumbled back against Nick's lips.

"You're lucky I didn't have a camera a few yeas ago." Nick giggled as he pecked another kiss to Justin's lips.

"Stop scaring me."

"Sorry." Nick laughed some more. "Don't worry I'm just plain old Nicky who wears normal clothes. Except when I'm not wearing anything like right now."

"Which I don't mind, either."

"I don't either even though it might look kinda funny to be talking while naked and lying on top of you."

"Nuthin wrong with it."

"Nah." Nick said with a smile as he wiggled around a bit to get comfortable again.

Justin sighed. "Ya know...as crazy as my life is...I never imagined it getting THIS crazy."

"Neither did I." Nick giggled as he thought of something. "You know we're both kinda teaching each other something in this relationship. I'm teaching or showing you what it's like to have a boyfriend, while you are showing me what it's like to be famous sorta."

"I guess that's true."

"But I think you figuring out your sexuality is a little more crazy then me getting used to being on tour."

“Probably...but I'm also talking about everything else that's going on."

"Yeah, like I said earlier everything decided to get screwy at the same time."

"Yup...THAT'S for sure."

Nick smiled a little. "But we can do it, cuz we're gunna do it together."

Justin smiled. "I like the sound of that."

"You're ain't getting rid of me." Nick smirked.

"Promise?" Justin asked in a whisper.

"I promise with all my heart." Nick whispered back, looking Justin right in the eye. "I love you, so I'm gunna stick by you no matter what."

Justin smiled. "Same for you...I promise."

"Are you still gunna come with me when I go get my stuff in Indie?" Nick asked out of the blue. "I mean it doesn't really matter when cuz I'm okay with what I have, so it can fight around your schedule."

Justin nodded. "I said I'll come...so I'll come."

"Back to where it all began."

Justin chuckled. "Yeah."

"Without the snow storms." Nick giggled. "And we are SO staying at a hotel cuz we would freeze our asses off in my apartment even if the weather is fair outside."

"Not if we keep each other warm."

Nick raised an eyebrow. "That does sound interesting."

"Besides...I WANT to stay at your apartment."

Nick looked away, biting his lower lip. He didn't want to say it but he was embarrassed to show Justin his apartment.

Justin studied the look on Nick's face. "What? You don't want me to?"

"No...I do it's just." Nick sighed. "A piece of trash."

Justin shrugged. "So?"

"I guess I'm embarrassed."

"You don't have to be embarrassed with me."

Nick smiled and nodded. "I know." He giggled. "You do realize you have to live with my cat in a one bedroom closet size apartment."

Justin made a face at the thought.

The look on Justin's face was enough to make Nick bust up laughing. "And I'm sure he'll just be asleep the whole time he's really old and like can't move much anymore." He said with a slightly sad tone to his voice.

Justin rubbed the back of Nick's head a bit. "That's kinda sad."

"He's really the only thing from my childhood that I have."

"Well...your brother..."

"Well yeah I'm lucky about that." Nick said with a small smile. "But Benny he was actually thrown out of the house with me. The only thing my dad let me take with me cuz he hated him."

Justin nodded. "I can see why he means so much to you."

Shaking as if to clear the memories away that he hated when they surfaced. Memories he still buried deep inside, pain that hurt too much. "Yeah, but yes we will have to keep each other warm." he said to quickly change the subject.

Justin chuckled. "Right."

"I'm glad I don’t have like posters of you all over my room, that would just be scary." Nick giggled.

"Yes...it would."

"I'm not quite THAT insane."

"Good to know."

"Plus why have posters when I've got the real thing?" Nick asked as he placed another kiss to Justin's lips.

"Well you do NOW...but you didn't when you were back in that apartment...so who knows what you have in there?"

"You're safe as long as you don't look at my computer."

"Why?"

"That's where all the pictures and stuff about you are." Nick giggled sheepishly.

"You and that damn computer."

Nick laughed. "That computer was my best friend. I spent hours on that thing when I wasn't working. Mostly reading."

"And stalking me via the internet."

"It's very easy to stalk you through the internet." Nick smirked. "I still think one of my favorite things I listened to was an inteview you did with Java Joel or someting like that." He said wondering if Justin remembered that.

"What interview?" Justin asked. They all blended together after a while.

"This guy he was annoying. He kept asking you sexual questions. Like who was better Britney or Christina."

"Oh *I* remember that guy. He was a prick."

"Yeah he was." Nick laughed. "But I totally forgot about it when we were talking back last month about you sleeping with Christina and I acted shocked...you admitted it on that interview."

"No I didn't. That was WAY before I slept with her. That was before the tour even started."

"I guess I gota re-listen to that sometime." Nick laughed, like it really mattered. That made Nick think of something. "Justin, what would you say if somebody flat out and asked you if you were bi in an interview." He didn't really care of the answer he was just curious.

"I guess at this point I'd have to lie," Justin said honestly.

Nick nodded his head. "Yeah guess you would."

"It's something I'll have to think about sometime down the line...when everything else dies down a little."

Nick reached up to run his hands over Justin's head. "Baby, I'm perfectly happy with the way things are right now. It's no rush at all, for you to come out publicly. If ever."

Justin nodded. "I know."

"My parents are going to shit themselves." Nick giggled

"Why?"

"They are going to really wish they hadn't disowned me. I mean come on they would practically have a really rich son in law...sort of."

Justin laughed. "Right...sort of."

"Yeah and we don't live in Vermont." Nick giggled.

Justin laughed. "That's true."

Nick rested his head down on Justin's chest and sighed contently. "Am I getting too heavy?"

"Nope...not at all."

"Okay, good cuz I'm comfortable." Nick said with a smile as he placed a soft kiss to Justin's chest.

"Me too. So relaxed...I could sleep," Justin said with a quiet yawn.

"What else is new." Nick teased.

"Hey! Being emotional makes me tired."

"I would say I know something that would wake you back up, but that goes against my logic from earlier."

"That would just make me MORE tired anyway."

"Yes but nice and realized to go to sleep." Nick giggled.

"Another night, Nick," Justin said softly.

Nick lifted his head back up to look down at Justin. "I know, I was just messing around."

"OK...just making sure."

Nick shivered a little, Goosebumps forming on his bare skin. "Always good to make sure."

"Let's get under the covers."

"Okay." Nick said as he got up off of Justin and then moved to the side so he could get under the covers.

Justin squirmed under the covers, then folded them down for Nick to get in.

Once under the covers Nick snuggled right back up to Justin. "Much better my ass was getting cold."

Justin laughed heartily. "That sucks."

Nick smiled as he ran a hand through his hair. "I think I need a hair cut, I'm becoming shaggy."

"You should get a crew cut. That'd look nice."

"Then we would almost match." Nick giggled.

Justin laughed. "Yeah...so don't do that."

"I just need it trimmed so I don't look like a porcupine."

"Yeah...keep the spikes. They're sexy."

Nick giggled. "Okay...I like them too it's easy to take care of just throw junk in it when my hair is already bed head looking and I'm set."

"The just-fucked look."

"Uh huh...and If I have it all the time people will never know if I have just been fucked or not." Nick snickered.

"Nope...YOU'LL be the only one who knows."

"And you."

Justin cocked an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Nick thought about what he had just said and couldn't keep the blush from his cheeks. "Well...uhh yeah. I mean if I really have been...you would be the one who did it...so there for you would know."

Justin smiled. "I see your point."

"Yup only you...nobody else."

"Good to know."

"Been a long time since I did that."

"So you've said."

Nick giggled. "I was just thinking about it again, cuz I mean it can't say I haven't had sex in six years anymore cuz that isn't true. But sex with a guy it's been that long."

"Almost as long as me," Justin said with a chuckle.

Nick looked at Justin funny. "Justin you've never..." Finally getting it he blushed. "Ohh.."

Justin laughed and rolled his eyes.

"Blonde moment." Nick giggled.

"I'll say," Justin said through a yawn.

Snuggling up to Justin as close as he could go he leaned up and pressed a kiss to his lips. "Night, night, Baby...let's sleep."

Justin sighed contentedly. "G'night, Nicky."

"Night, I love you." Nick whispered as he rested his head on Justin's chest and closed his eyes.

"Love you, too," Justin replied as he almost immediately started drifting off.

A big smile formed on Nick's face as he drifted off to sleep.

*****@******

Instead of in her bed, Kelly was sitting up in a lounging chair that a nurse had brought in for her. A blanket was draped over her lap and tucked around her propped up feet, and she was reading the Cosmo that Trace had brought her early that afternoon when he and Eddie had switched shifts so Eddie could go home and get some sleep. Lynn had left just a few minutes earlier...leaving her alone.

Eddie walked into the room a huge smile on his face. "Look who's up and out of bed." He said as he walked over to give Kelly a kiss on the cheek. "Feelin better?"

Kelly smiled as she rested the open magazine on her lap. "Yeah. Lynn just helped me wash up and stuff before I sent her home...and that really helped."

"Well it's good to see you out or bed." Eddie said as he pulled his chair up next to Kelly's and took a seat. "Watcha reading?"

Kelly giggled as she picked up the magazine again. "What Sex Feels Like For Him."

Eddie arched and eyebrow. "Oh yeah, and what does it tell you?"

Kelly turned her attention back to the article. "Well...yhis one guys says...'When a woman kisses my neck, I get an almost instant erection. The feeling of her lips on that sensitive part of my body sends shivers shooting down my spine and right through to my groin.'" Kelly looked up at Eddie when she finished reading. "Is that true?"

"It's probably different for every guy. I mean the spot that does that." Eddie replied.

"Well...what about for YOU?"

Eddie for some reason didn't feel too weird answering that question. "If the girl nibbles on my ear."

"Hmm...interesting," Kelly said as she turned the page. "What about this one...about foreplay. 'What makes a blowjob feel amazing is when a woman uses her hands and mouth. The hand moving up and down is the perfect amount of friction along my penis.'" Kelly chuckled after she read it. "Gross."

"Nice wording." Eddie laughed, trying too hard not to think about that, or the fact that he hadn't gotten any action besides his right hand in a few weeks.

"I know...really," Kelly said with another laugh...still waiting for Eddie's response.

"You want me to respond to that?" Eddie asked with a raised eyebrow. He wasn't sure if he could, because having to respond meant he would really have to listen to the words. "The guy's right that would be amazing." He finally said.

Kelly nodded slowly as she looked back down at her magazine. "Why do I get the feeling you don't wanna hear anymore?"

"Nah, go ahead and read." Eddie said with a smile. He really didn't mind and it WAS interesting to see if what the guy said was true.

"OK...this is about actual sex. 'Initial penetration is the best when the woman I'm with is really turned on and I can just slide inside her in one fluid movement with no resistance.'" Kelly looked at Eddie curiously. "Does that EVER happen?"

"It can." Eddie replied with a nod of his head. "Some girls just get a lot...uhh wetter down there then others and it makes things easier."

Kelly laughed at Eddie's choice of words. "Makes things easier?"

Eddie nodded and laughed a little too. "You know like he said one fluid motion, without hurting her."

"I don't really think THIS guy was referring to whether it hurt her or not. He's just talking about how it feels...for HIM."

"Yeah well he's selfish." Eddie laughed. "And it WOULD feel good."

Kelly chuckled. "Oh yeah...and HE'S selfish," she teased as she looked back down at the magazine.

"What else does he say?" Eddie asked, actually getting into this.

"That's all THAT guy said," Kelly said as she scanned the page. "Oh Lord...listen to THIS asshole. 'If I meet some really hot chick, I'll actually imagine having sex with her when I'm with my girlfriend. It's just an innocent fantasy. I'm turned on by my partner, but sometimes those thoughts just take the intensity up a notch.'"

Eddie rolled his eyes. "That guys IS an asshole. Even if you're having sex with a total stranger it's like beyond wrong to think of somebody else while having sex. to help 'intensify' things." He said using finger quotes around the word intensify.

Kelly chuckled. "Yes...it IS wrong."

"I like the first guy better." Eddie laughed.

"You would," Kelly said as she turned a few more pages...trying to find another article.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I can SO tell you're the type of guy who likes it to feel good. Like the whole sliding in easy thing. And I don't mean anything bad by that at all...I just mean...you like sex...so you MUST like that it feels good," Kelly pointed out as she started scanning another article.

Eddie laughed. "Why would I do it if it didn't feel good? I mean isn't that the point of sex...well besides the the reproduction factor."

"That's not the ONLY point of sex," Kelly said...then thought about it for a second before correcting herself. "OK...maybe that's the point of SEX...but that's not the only point when it's MORE than sex. Like...when it's making love."

Eddie smiled and nodded. "True, but it's been a long time since I've made love."

"Yeah..." Kelly said...then widened her eyes all of a sudden. Oh wow...listen to THIS."

"I'm all ears." Eddie giggled.

"OK...this article is called 'His Three Forgtten Hot Spots.' Just guess what the first one is."

"I'm a little worried to guess." Eddie laughed and then got a thoughtful look on his face. "Ummm no idea."

Kelly laughed. "OK...listen. 'Maybe you're already a talented lobe-licker, but what you might not realize is that a man's ears can be a pipeline to his penis.'" She paused to giggle, then went on. "'According to traditional Chinese medicine, the ear is packed with acupressure points that, when touched, send energy throughout the body, including the genital region.'"

Eddie's eyes went wide. "Whoa, I never knew my favorite spot had anything to do with Chinese medicine." He giggled as he shifted in his chair a little.

Kelly chuckled...absently reaching her right hand out to touch Eddie's hand without even looking up from the magazine. "Go figure."

"What other forgotten spots are there?" Eddie asked as he took Kelly's hand in his.

"'His V-Zone,'" Kelly read. "'Take a look at your man's below-the-belt region. If you start at each hip bone and draw two lines diagonally down, meeting between his legs, you'll see it forms a V-shape. Well, in those crevices, where thighs meet pelvis, are ligaments that are surrounded by nerve endings. The skin here is also thin, so it's very sensitive.'"

"That is very true." Eddie laughed. "I never knew why that felt good before though. This is educational." He said and then laughed again. "If one really wants to know this stuff."

Kelly shrugged. "*I* think it's good to know."

"Yeah, well I'm not going to be pleasing my man any time soon." Eddie giggled.

Kelly laughed. "Good to know," she said...then looked over at Eddie. "YOU have a really nice V-Zone, ya know,' she told him.

Eddie raised an eyebrow as he looked at Kelly. "What are your eyes doing looking at my crotch, young lady?" He teased a smile on his face.

Kelly laughed. "No...not your crotch. The little crevices at your pelvis. You have nice ones. You can even tell like...when you're wearing like...baggy sweats that hang low...and no shirt. You can see them. And you have really nice, defined ones cuz you're so lean and muscular. It's very sexy, actually."

Eddie wasn't going to mention that she would have to be checking him out pretty intently to notice things like that so instead he just smiled and said, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Kelly said...subconsciously linking her fingers with Eddie's as she turned the page of her magazine.

"Okay so that's two, what's number three?" Eddie asked curiously.

"Oh," Kelly said...going back to that page. "Let's see." Kelly laughed quietly...blushing a bit when she saw what it said. ""'His Northern Pole.'"

Eddie laughed shaking his head. "Isn't that creative."

Kelly chuckled before she read the paragraph. "'Obviously, a man's package is just one big beacon of bliss, but there's one spot you could be missing. "Right where the shaft meets the head, on the side of the penis that faces up when he's erect, is a cluster of nerve endings, " says Steve Bodansky, PhD, coauthor of 'The Illustrated Guide to Extended Massive Orgasm.' Often, a woman might be so focused on the underside of a fully erect penis that she neglects that area.'"

Eddie cocked his head to the side. "I don't think I've ever noticed that before. Now I'm curious." He giggled.

Kelly laughed...turning the page again. "Maybe you'll notice one day. Ya know...of you ever get any action again."

Eddie let out an exaggerated sigh. "Yes, poor neglected me."

Kelly shrugged. "It's your choice. I mean...hell...you couldda gotten some from Nurse Lisa today."

"I think my right hand would be jealous." Eddie giggled as he looked down at his right hand that was actually now also over playing with Kelly's hand as he held it with his left.

"Maybe," Kelly said...not telling him that she'd be jealous, too. It was almost starting to scare her...how quickly her feelings for Eddie were changing.

"Anything else interesting in there?" Eddie asked with a nod of his head at the magazine.

"'Big-Time Ego Blows,'" Kelly read. "'Are you making him feel like a man or a mouse? Real guys' top testosterone testers.' Interested in that?" Kelly asked...glancing over at Eddie.

Eddie nodded. "Sure."

"OK. The first guy says...'It kills me when my girlfriend speaks for me while I'm standing right there, whether it's ordering for me in a restaurant or stating my opinion about something.'"

"That doesn't bother me so much." Eddie said with a shrug.

Kelly looked back over at Eddie. "Really? How come?"

"The guy doesn't have to be all high and mighty all the time. You gota let the girl have a chance too." Eddie answered honestly. "Is ordering his food really THAT big of a deal?"

Kelly shrugged. "I guess not...but I don't think I'd do it. I mean...unless he WANTED me to."

"It just wouldn't matter to me so much, I guess. I mean it wouldn't be a reason to throw a fit."

"Alright. Well...what about this one, then. 'Insults about my sexual appetite are the most debilitating, like if I'm too exhausted from a long day at work to perform and she jokes that I'm a once-a-week wonder.'"

"Now that wouldn't be nice." Eddie said making a face. "You don't mess with a guys sexual appetite, it's just not cool."

Kelly chuckled. "Especially in OUR line of work. You guys are too tired a LOT," she teased. "Well...after rehearsals, anyway. After shows is a different story."

Eddie nodded his head. "Uh huh, that is so true. Thank goodness for after show hyperness cuz I probably would never get any."

Kelly had to laugh. Once again, she was so grateful to have Eddie with her. Just the simple, mindless conversation to temporarily distract her from reality was doing her a world of good. "How about THIS one? 'The real ego-beater is when a girl tries to straighten my hair or wets a napkin and attempts to wipe something off my face in public. I have a mom, thank you very much.'"

Eddie busted up laughing at that one. "Okay I've actually had a girl do that to me before. It's a different story if she's trying to be sexual while doing it, but that is just too weird."

"How can fixing a guy's hair...or wiping his face with a napkin...be sexual?"

"Well it wouldn't be...but if she was like using her finger or something that would be." Eddie tried to explain.

Kelly made a face. "If you say so. How about this? 'Navy and black don't go together? I couldn't give a rat's ass. I get flashbacks of elementary school when a girl tries to dress me.'" She laughed as she looked at Eddie. "I don't think this one would bother you so much. You always like to look good. But then again...you don't need a girl's help."

Hearing Kelly say that actually made Eddie blush. "You're right I do like it when people give me fashion tips...and thanks."

Kelly smiled. "OK...last one. 'Comparing a guy to your perfect ex-boyfriend or your best friend's boyfriend makes him feel about an inch-and-a-half tall.'"

"Oh no...you DON'T do that." Eddie said quickly. "Nobody should ever compare their current boyfriends or girlfriends with their exes."

Kelly nodded. "I agree."

"I still think it's ironic they have MY spot in that thing." Eddie giggled, still thinking about that.

Kelly chuckled...turning the page. "You know what you're talking about, I guess. Ooohh...look at this. '10 Hot New Sex Positions.'"

"New ones?" Eddie asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Why, Rico Suave? You think you know them all already?"

Laughing, Eddie shrugged. "I don't know until you tell me."

"Alright...let's see, then. The first one's called The Diamond." Kelly paused to clear her throat. "'Your guy lays on his back with a pillow propped under his head. Facing him, lower yourself onto his member...'" She paused again to laugh at the wording. "'...and put your hands and knees on either side of his torso. Once he's deep inside you, gently move in the diagonal shape of a diamond: to the left, then down, right and up. You'll love it because your man's penis glides against every steamy inch of you, including your G-spot.'"

"Damn this magazine is descriptive." Eddie chuckled, wondering how much more of this sex talk he could take without reacting to it.

Kelly laughed. "So...have you DONE that before?"

Eddie shook his head. "Nope, can't say that I have."

"What about THIS one? The Thigh Master," Kelly said with a chuckle...leaning over to show Eddie the diagram in the magazine.

"Damn." Eddie said with wide eyes as he looked at the picture. "That looks uhh...interesting."

Kelly kept the magazine in Eddie's view as she read the description. "'Have your guy lay back with one leg outstretched and the other bent, so his knee is pointing upward. Facing sideways, lower yourself onto his penis and hold onto his bent knee for leverage.'" She stopped to laugh at how crazy that sounded. "'As you rock back and forth, lean far enough forward so your joy button..." Kelly laughed again and shook her head. "OK...I guess that means clit," she said bluntly. "'...so your joy button rubs against his inner thigh. This torrid two-in-one move makes you the center of amorous attention. The steady thrusting plus constant clitoral contact against his inner thigh will prime you for a big O.'"

Eddie had to bust up laughing at the last few words. "The big O?" He said not realizing that his voice was a few octives lower then normal.

Kelly laughed again, as well. "We could all use the big O every once in a while."

"Very true." Eddie said with a nod of his head.

Kelly finally closed the magazine and set in on her lap with a deep breath. "Well THAT was interesting."

Eddie giggled and nodded, shifting in his seat again when he realized the inevitable happened and his body had reacted to all the things Kelly had read to him. "It was, that magazine is something else."

"Thank Trace. HE bought it for me."

Eddie laughed again. "That's Trace for ya."

"He must have thought I needed help in the sex department," Kelly said as she reached her left hand out to put the magazine on the tray table. "Not like he'd have any clue."

"I would hope not." Eddie said as he looked down at their still joined hands.

Kelly laughed quietly. "You KNOW he doesn't."

"Not unless Justin was talking to him about it. And I doubt that."

Kelly shook her head. "He wouldn't. And honestly...I don't think Justin would have had anything to complain about," she joked with a laugh.

"I don't think he would either." Eddie giggled.

"Not like YOU'D know, either."

Eddie continued to look at their joined hands and his mind kept telling him over and over again that he wish he DID know, more then ever. "You're right I don't."

Kelly looked down at their hands, as well. "Did you sleep?"

"For maybe an hour or so. I had to go help Manny talk with his landlord."

Kelly sighed. She really didn't like the fact that Eddie was getting no rest...mainly because of her. "What happened with that?"

"I found out he was basically lying to me. He DID get kicked out of his apartment because he hadn't paid the rent for thee months." Eddie said with a sigh. "The landlord was trying to give him a break but after 3 months he just couldn't anymore."

"Why wasn't he paying?" Kelly asked...figuring that Eddie wouldn't tell her if he felt it was none of her business.

"He lost his job and for some odd reason felt he would rather be homeless then try and find another one."

"Are you for real?"

"Well he knew he wouldn't be homeless cuz he has such a nice big brother who would take him in no matter what." Eddie said as he rolled his eyes.

"So...he's gonna stay with you, then?"

Eddie nodded. "Yeah but only if he tries to look for another job."

Kelly nodded...lookind down at their hands again as she threaded her fingers trough Eddie's. "Sounds fair."

Eddie sighed and tried to hold back a yawn The hour nap he had hadn't done much good, but he wasn't going to let that show.

Kelly sighed again...seeing Eddie yawn. "I wish that when I send you home to sleep...you'd sleep. Because you need it for your health...AND because I want you to be alert and awake when you're here with me," she said with a quiet laugh.

Eddie felt bad he knew he wasn't being much of a help. "I had every intention to go to sleep."

"Stay a few more minutes..." Kelly said quietly. "...then go home and go to bed. Get a good night's sleep."

Eddie nodded as he looked up into Kelly's eyes. All of a sudden the erge to kiss her getting almost too strong to hold back.

"Cuz...If I really DO go home tomorrow...I'm gonna need you to come hang out with me...and keep me company. And ya know...help Lynn out a bit."

"I know, I will go home in a few minutes and get some sleep." Eddie said with a smile. "I know I need it."

"OK...and eat something before you go to sleep."

"I had McDonalds before I came here, but I might get a snack."

Kelly nodded...satisfied with Eddie's answer. "OK."

"Do you want me to help you back into bed before I leave?" Eddie asked with a small smile on his face.

Kelly nodded...finally letting go of Eddie's hand. "That's probably a good idea."

Standing up Eddie reached out for Kelly's hand again to help her up.

Kelly sat up in the lounger, then took a deep breath as she carefully lifted herself up onto her shaky legs...the blanket falling to the floor.

Still holding onto Kelly's arm, Eddie bent over to pick up the blanket so she wouldn't trip over it as he led her slowly back to the bed. Once there he helped her get on.

Kelly let go of her IV pole as she sat on the edge of the bed. "Thanks."

"You're very welcome." Eddie said with another yawn. "Damn listening about sex made me tired." He giggled.

Kelly laughed as she settled back agianst the bed. "You'd think you'd actually DONE it."

"Then I wouldn't still be like this." Eddie said as he looked down at his still slight bluge in his jeans.

Kelly laughed again...blushing a bit as she playfully smacked Eddie's arm. "You're such a dawg."

Eddie laughed as he leaned down to place a gentle kiss to Kelly's lips. "I'll be back bright and early tomorrow morning to see when we get to spring you from this joint."

Kelly smiled. "Will you pay them if they say no?" she asked...reaching up to touch Eddie's cheek as he leaned over her.

"Nope, cuz it would be for your health if they say no." Eddie said softly as he placed one last kiss to Kelly's lips before pulling back.

Kelly pouted. "Fine."

Giggling, Eddie took a step back from the bed. "See you tomorrow baby. Get some sleep too...okay?"

Kelly nodded...then reached for Eddie's hand...not able to stop herself.

Eddie took Kelly's hand in his and brought it to his mouth for a gentle kiss. "Love you Kelly." He said before he put her hand back down on the bed and headed for the door before he couldn't bring himself to leave.

Kelly sighed. "G'night."

Eddie didn't want to leave and he knew Kelly didn't either but he knew that in another way she did want him to go. With a sigh he headed out of the room and home to get some rest so hopefully tomorrow he would be rested and could give Kelly his undivided attention.

As soon as Eddie left, Kelly took a deep breath and curled up under her blanket. She knew that she needed sleep, as well.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

Not even ten minutes after Eddie had left her room, Kelly was suddenly feeling lonely. She had no idea why. All she knew was that she couldn't fall asleep like she wanted to, and she was lonely. After taking a deep breath, she rolled over to reach for the phone, and dialed Eddie's cell phone.

Eddie was about five minutes from his house when he heard his cell ringing. Reaching into the cup holder where he had his phone resting he picked it up and put it to his ear without checking the caller ID. "Hello?"

"Hey," Kelly said quietly into the phone.

Automatically thinking something was wrong, Eddie felt himself go into panic mode. "Kel...is everything okay?"

"Yes...I'm fine...relax. I just can't sleep."

"Oh, Okay." Eddie said once he let out a deep breath he had been holding. "I'm just about home."

"I figured. I'm sorry to bother you. I really just wanted to hear your voice."

Eddie smiled as he maneuvered the car down his street. "You aren't bothering me at all."

"OK. If you say so."

"Yes but I am supposed to be home sleeping, remember." Eddie teased. "So, I'm going to have to hang up before some girl has my ass tomorrow when I haven't been rested."

"Not funny," Kelly said...even as she laughed quietly.

Eddie giggled as he pulled his SUV into his driveway and parked the car. Turning off the engine he opened the door and got out. "Did you try counting sheep? I'm sure it's more productive then listening to my boring voice." He laughed some more as he got his keys out to unlock the door.

"You're not boring, baby. Not at all."

"Awe, thanks." Eddie said through a yawn as he walked into the house and threw his keys down on the table near the door. "Manny you home?" He called since he hadn't seen his brother's car but that didn't mean it wasn't in the garage.

"Is he there?" Kelly asked Eddie through the phone.

"I do not know." Eddie stated. "He didn't respond back but then again that doesn't mean anything I think the kid is deaf." He teased picking on his baby brother. "I remember what it was like to be nineteen oh so many years ago."

"Well maybe he's out. It IS Friday night."

Eddie made a face at the thought. "I don't even wana think about that." He said as he moved through the apartment to the kitchen.

"Why not?"

"It's just not a pretty thought to think of your little bro out getting his freak on." Eddie giggled as he grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge.

Kelly giggled. "Nasty."

"Exactly my point." Eddie giggled again.

"Why would you even THINK of that? He could be out watching a game, or something."

"My brother is related to me...need I say more?"

"Point taken."

Eddie laughed. "He thinks he's Don Juan I think."

"Well...that fits...since you're Rico Suave, and all."

"Yup we're just the family of all the best lovers in the world." Eddie snorted.

"Must be a Latin thing."

"Yup us and Ricky Martin." Eddie laughed.

"Eeww...that's gross."

"It is isn't it." Eddie said before taking a long drink of his water.

Kelly sighed quietly. "I guess I'll let you go so you can go to sleep."

"I'll be there first thing in the morning, Kel...I promise." Eddie said softly, knowing she probably needed the reassurance.

"I know," Kelly said quietly.

"Love you, Kelly."

"I love you, too."

"Sleep tight, and I'll see you bright and early."

"OK. Goodnight."

"Night night." With that Eddie clicked off his cell phone and sighed.

Kelly reached over to hang up the phone, then curled up in bed again...feeling much better after just talking to Eddie for a few minutes.

Deciding he was a little hungry, Eddie made his way back into the kitchen and to the fridge. Opening it he stuck his head inside to see if he had anything eatable.

"Hey, bro," Manny said...seeing Eddie at the fridge when he came into the kitchen.

Slightly started, Eddie turned around. "Hey...I didn't think you were here.”

"I wasn't...I just came in," Manny said as he reached around Eddie for a bottle of water. "How's Kelly?"

"Getting better each day it seems." Eddie said as he pulled out bread and lunch meat to make a sandwich.

"That's good," Manny sad as he took a seat at the table. "Poor girl. Must be some hell she's going through."

Eddie nodded his head as he took the stuff to the counter and started to make his sandwich. "Yeah, I can't even imagine what it would be like."

"You think she's gonna be OK?"

"I really hope so." Eddie said with a sigh. "She's such a great girl she doesn't deserve any of this."

Manny studied his brother carefully for a moment as he sipped his water. "What about you. How are YOU doing?"

Eddie looked at Manny weird, not sure why he would ask him that. "Me? I'm fine."

"You sure?"

"Why wouldn't I be okay?"

Manny shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe you're...like...more emotionally invested in all of this than you think."

Eddie shook his head. "Nah, I'm cool."

"OK...if you say so."

When he was finished with making his sandwich, Eddie walked over to sit across from Manny. "Why aren't you out?"

Manny shrugged again. "I don't know. There's not much of anything going on tonight."

"Ahh, Okay." Eddie said with a smile as he took a bite of his sandwich. "No hot guy ask you out on a date?"

Manny laughed. "No."

"That's a pitty." Eddie giggled. "I had somebody ask me out tonight..."

"What? And you were only gone for like...an hour and a half."

"I didn't go." Eddie pointed out. "I turned her down."

"Who was she?"

Eddie laughed. "One of Kelly's nurses."

"Wow...and she asked you out? That's kind of unprofessional, isn't it?"

"I don't know if it is or not, but I just didn't feel like going out with her."

"Why not?" Manny asked curiously. It wasn't like his brother to turn down a date.

Eddie shrugged his shoulders. "No reason, I just didn't want to." He said, not really wanting to get into the fact that he was holding off for Kelly.

"You aure you're alright?"

Eddie laughed. "Just cuz I don't want to go on a date doesn't mean I'm not okay."

"I'm not just talking about that. I mean...I realize I haven't spent a lot of time with you in a while, but I KNOW you haven't been yourself since you got here on Wednesday."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know..."

"I'm the one that should be saying that about you. I mean I haven't really seen you much since you came out." Eddie said getting a little defensive.

Manny looked at Eddie curiously. "Look, bro...I didn't mean anything by it. I'm just worried about you."

Eddie sighed looking down at his less then half eaten sandwich. He just didn't have an appatite lately. "Sorry, I didn't mean to say that."

"Tell me what's up."

"Nothing...what makes you think something is up?"

"I already told you..." Manny started cautiously. "...you're not yourself."

Sighing, Eddie poked at his sandwich. Sure he and his brother had been close as kids but the older he got and when he started dancing they had drifted apart quite a bit. "I'm just rethinking stuff right now." He finally admitted.

Manny leaned forward in his seat...folding his arms on the table. "What kinda stuff?"

"Everything...the sleeping around, drinking..."

"Thinking that you don't wanna do it anymore?"

Eddie nodded his head slowly. "I know I don't...it's just not as easy as I thought it would have been. My nerves are shot." He laughed shaking his head.

"How come? I mean...what's got you so nervous? It can't just be the lack of booze and sex."

"I'm falling for her, Man...like crazy and I don't know what to do about it." Eddie finally admitted the major aspect of his uneasiness even though the lack of sex and booze wasn't helping things.

"Her...? Who's...OH...Kelly?"

Eddie just nodded his head.

"You're falling for Kelly," Manny said. It was a statement...not a question...just to make sure he was hearing correctly.

Eddie nodded his head again. "Yes."

Manny took a deep breath...sitting back in his chair. "OK...so...what do you mean by when you say you don't know what to do about it?"

"I'm scared I'm going to hurt her. I don't have the best rack record with woman...and she has had it REALLY bad when it comes to guys."

"You care about her, Ed. You always HAVE. Why would you hurt her?"

"So did Marty and Justin but they hurt her too." Eddie said softly, forgetting that Manny didn't really know about what happened with them.

"Well...I don't know anything about that stuff...but..."

Feeling like he could trust his brother he laughed a little. "What is the one thing you always wished Justin Timberlake was?"

Manny chuckled. "Gay, of course."

"Would you settle for Bi?" Eddie asked with a raised eyebrow, wondering if his brother would get the hint.

Manny's jaw dropped. "You're KIDDING!"

Eddie had to laugh at the look on Manny's face. "Close yur mouth little bro...he's taken."

Manny's eyes widened. "By a GUY?"

"Uh huh...but Manny you can't tell ANYBODY...okay? "

"You know I wouldn't do that."

Eddie smiled. "I know, I just wanted to tell you."

"So...what does this all have to do with Kelly getting hurt?" Manny asked...waving his hand around a bit to indicate that things were fuzzy and he needed clarification.

"They were dating and then kind of dating on and off for a good part of a year. Then Justin met Nick...and well she pretty much gave Justin up so he could go find if these feelings he had were true."

"And I guess they were..." Manny said...trying to follow along.

Eddie nodded his head. "Yeah, Justin and Nick are officially boyfriends."

"OK...so...what about Marty, then?"

Eddie giggled a little. "Exactly the same thing happened with him."

Manny's jaw dropped again. "HE'S bi TOO?"

Eddie reached across the small table to push his brother's chin up. "Yes...he's bi too."

"No fucking way."

"Yes fucking way." Eddie laughed shaking his head at his brother. But then he got a sort of sad look on his face. "Marty's not having an easy time of it though."

"What happened?"

"He's been in denial for years and one night while he was with Kelly it just slipped out. They fought like crazy because he kept it from her. But I really think he didn't tell anybody cuz he didn't want to believe it himself."

"And he and Kelly were together, right?" Manny asked...remembering Eddie telling him that during a phone call.

"Yeah they were dating up until the day before we left to go overseas."

"So...basically...she just had two boyfriends in a row leave her for guys."

"Basically she gave up two men she loved to let them see if what they wanted was to go with men." Eddie tried to explain.

"Oh...wow..."

Eddie nodded. "And then to lose the baby all in less then a two month period." He shook his head and sighed. "I mean I know I'M not going to turn bi or gay on her...I just don't know if I'm what she needs.

"Why would you say that?" Manny asked sincerely.

Eddie shrugged his shoulders. "I don't really have the best track record."

"Track record with what?"

"Relationships."

"But when was the last time you actually tried one?"

Eddie bit his lower lip. "Uhh...when I was your age."

"Exactly."

Sighing, Eddie nodded. "I'll think about it, but right now I need to go to sleep before I pass out."

Manny nodded. "Yeah...you should...you haven't slept much. And isn't Kelly coming home tomorrow?"

Eddie nodded again as he stood up and went to put his plate in the sink. "Yeah, I told her I would be there early tomorrow just in case they discharge her early."

"Is she coming here?"

"No she's staying at Justin's. Lynn is there so she is going to take care of her."

Manny nodded. "That's good. Think you'll be spending a lot of time there?" he asked as he got up from his seat.

"Why do you want the apartment to yourself for one of your orgies?" Eddie giggled with a raised eyebrow.

"No."

"Yeah, I'll probably be over there a lot. I mean that house has enough bedrooms."

Manny smirked. "I didn't necessarily mean to sleep there. I just meant to chill with your girl."

"She's not my girl..." Eddie pointed out and then smiled. "At least not yet."

Manny chuckled. "Well...maybe she's not your GIRL...but she's still your girl."

Eddie laughed. "You are one confusing person." He said as he headed out of the kitchen. "Well, I'm turning in for the night."

"Night, Ed," Manny said before taking his water into the living room and dropping onto the couch...where he turned on the TV to the Lakers game.

Eddie quickly stripped down to just his boxers and climbed into bed. He was so tired he was out like a light within what seemed like seconds.

Over in London, Marty picked up his cell phone and dialed the number to his best freind's house. Seeing it was only a little after ten at night he knew he would still be awake.

Manny reached for the ringing phone on the end table before it could wake Eddie up. "Hello?"

Marty knew the person on the other end of the phone wasn't Eddie but he was sure he knew that voice. "Uh, hi this is Marty is Eddie home?"

"Hey, Marty," Manny greeted. "Yeah...he's home...but he's asleep. I'd wake him...but he hasn't slept in days."

Finally recognizing the voice Marty smiled. "Oh Manny it's you...I didn't recognize your voice at first. And that's okay you don't need to wake him up."

Manny chuckled as he turned down the volume on the TV. "How's London?"

"Rainy and nasty today." Marty laughed.

"OK...well...besides that."

Marty took a seat on the couch in what used to be his and Eddie's room. "Kinda lonely with out Ed."

"Yeah...I'm sure."

"What are YOU doing answering his phone?"

"I didn't want it to wake him. He just went to sleep."

Marty laughed. "I meant why are you at his house. I thought you had your own place."

"I did...til I got kicked out," Manny said as he slouched down on the couch a bit.

"Oh that sucks." Marty said sincerely. "So Ed's letting you stay with him?"

"Yeah...luckily."

"What a nice big brother you have."

"Yeah...he really is," Manny agreed.

"So how's life been treating you...well besides losing your apartment?"

"Pretty good, I guess. School's good...and I'd still have my apartment if it wasn't for my asshole roommate."

"Roommates are good at being assholes." Marty laughed. "I remember those days."

"Yeah. He was cool for a while...until he stopped paying his half of the rent. That's why we got kicked out."

"Damn, that really sucks."

"Sure does. I didn't tell Eddie that, though. He was too into giving me the whole responsibility speech."

"So he's all blaming it on you when it isn't even your fault. Why would you let him believe that for?" Marty asked confused.

"It's not so much blaming me...as he wants me to be responsible."

Marty giggled. "You're still young...it's okay if you're irresponsible sometimes."

"I know...and HE knows that, too. He's just worried about me." Manny sighed quietly. "He's worried about a lot lately."

"He's got a lot of shit going on around him. He has Kelly to worry about and things are tense over here too."

"So I've heard."

"He told you, huh?" Marty pretty much just stated not sounding really upset about that. Manny had always been a good guy.

"Yeah...pretty much everything, I guess."

"Did you find it shocking?"

Manny chuckled...remembering his reaction. "I guess you could say that."

"Shocked me too the first time Kelly told me....About Justin that is." Marty laughed.

"I was pretty shocked to hear about YOU, too."

Marty took a deep breath at the mention of him. He had gotten more used to the idea over the last few days but it still made him a little uneasy. "Yeah...I'm still a little shocked myself." He admitted knowing the younger man would sort of understand.

"I feel you on that," Manny said...not pressing the issue any further. He didn't want to make Marty uncomfortable.

Marty wasn't really sure what else to say now. Clearing his throat he thought of a normal subject. "Justin told me Kelly's getting better but things are still kinda iffy. Do you know anymore?"

"Not really...just that she's probably going home tomorrow. That's what Ed said, anyway."

"Yeah." Marty said as he nodded. "I'll just call the house tomorrow to talk to both of them."

"I'm sure they'd like that."

"Well, I guess I'll let you get back to whatever you were doing and I'll go see what everybody else is doing while it pours outside." Marty giggled.

Manny laughed. "I was only watching basketball. Besides...isn't it like...seven in the morning there, or something?"

Marty laughed. "Yeah you're right...you mean you don't think Justin would like me banging on their door asking if Nick can come out and play at seven in the morning?"

Manny raised an eyebrow. "Play...with Justin's man?"

"Normally we hang out with him...keep him company while Justin is out doing his thing."

"Ahhh...I see."

"Yeah he's a really cool guy...Nick I mean. Too bad you didn't get to meet him...I mean since you would be here right now if Eddie was still here right?" Marty rambled, not exactly sure why he was sort of nervous.

"Yeah..I probably would be, I guess. I WAS planning on visiting."

"That's what Ed was telling us."

"I was excited about it...but...what are you gonna do? Things happen."

"Yup and I'm sure you can visit London some other time."

"I'm sure. I know he'll be there again."

"Who's winning the game?" Marty asked out of the blue.

"The Lakers...by a ton...with just a couple minutes left."

"Good." Marty laughed.

"So...how you doin with the whole Kelly thing?" Manny asked.

Marty sighed. "It's kinda hard, cuz part of me feels like if I hadn't stressed her so much with our problems and my problems the last few days this wouldn't have happened." He admitted.

"Don't even think that, man. That's not what I meant, anyway. I meant with the breakup."

"Oh...well that was for the best, even though it hurts. I really did love her."

"I don't doubt it."

"I would of been perfectly happy staying with her for the rest of my life." Marty said softly.

"But...?"

"She didn't think I would be."

"Are you sure about that? I mean...according to Ed...she wanted to leave you the option of being with a guy if that's what you really wanted."

"I told her I didn't want to." Marty said simply. He still wanted to believe he wouldn't want to be in a gay relationship. Tried so hard to convince himself that.

"But were you sure when you told her that? Are you sure NOW?"

Marty didn't say anything. He found he didn't have an answer or at least one he wanted to admit.

Manny took a deep breath. "We can change the subject."

Like he always did when he was put on the spot, Marty caved. "Now...I think she was right in letting me go...so I could...you know."

"And have you figured anything out yet?"

Marty took a deep breath. "Just that I think...I need to test things out."

"Then go for it."

"I don't really feel comfortable going up to some random guy."

"It's no different than going up to random girls."

"It is when you have NO idea what you are doing." Marty laughed.

"You know what you're doing, Marty. You've done it with girls for years."

"It's not the same."

"Maybe not at first...but it pretty much is."

Marty laughed a little. "I can't believe I'm like getting sex tips from a teenager."

Manny chuckled. "Hey...I'll be twenty in a month."

"Yes and way too young to be having sex." Marty snickered. "Kids these days."

Manny laughed again. "Whatever."

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

"No...not for a while."

"Sorry to hear that."

"It's no big deal, really."

"Yeah relationships can be a pain at times." Marty laughed.

"Yeah...I know," Manny agreed...then cleared his throat. "So...do you have any idea what's goin on with Eddie and Kelly?"

"I figure he likes her." Marty stated. "I've kinda guess that for a while now."

"Really?"

Marty sighed and nodded. "Yeah I could see it even before I started going out with her."

"No way. How?"

"I saw the look in his eyes that I saw every time i looked in the mirror."

"Interesting."

"Yeah...but neither of them have said anything to me. I have a feeling they are scared to."

"Or...maybe there's nothing to tell."

Marty thought about that a little. "Yeah or that."

"Yeah..."

Marty had a feeling Manny wasn't saying something but he didn't try to think too much about it. "So, what are you doing in on a Friday night?"

"Just hangin out...nothing go on around here."

"You do realize you live in LA right?" Marty laughed.

Manny chuckled. "Yeah."

"Well...I think I'm going to go Man, I wana hit the gym before I'm supposed to get together and have breakfast with Mel. Talk to you some other time?" Marty said with a smile, he really liked talking to Manny.

"Yeah...sure. And I'll let Ed know you called."

"Thanks...Tell him I'll try calling him a tomorrow." Marty said before hanging up the phone not able to get the big smile off his face and he didn't know why.

Manny hung up the phone and went back to watching the end of the game.

******@******

Nick sat on the couch reading the newest Cosmo magazine as he watched Justin finishing up his conversation with Kelly. He wasn't trying to pay attention to what his boyfriend was saying so he focused most of his attention to the magazine.

Justin ended his call and put his phone in his pocket...then stayed in his seat on the balcony for a few minutes to clear his mind.

Nick didn't notice Justin finished his call yet he was too busy reading about dumb things guys do that drive woman totally insane.

Justin rubbed his hands over his face a few times, then stood up and stretched his tired body before going back into his suite and closing the balcony door.

Hearing Justin come back into the room, Nick looked up to see the tired and sad look on Justin's face. "Is everything okay?"

Justin shrugged as he walked over to the couch. "As OK as it can be, I guess."

"You guys talked for a long while. That's good right?" Nick asked with a small smile.

Justin nodded. "Yeah...it's good. She's just...so sad."

"Well so are you. Which is totally okay cuz you guys lost something very important to you. Something you loved. It's okay to be sad because you're grieving."

Justin nodded slowly. "Yeah...I know," he said...absently rubbing his tired eyes. He'd been exhausted enough after the show that night...and getting emotional while talking to Kelly had just made it worse.

Standing up, Nick walked the short distance to Justin and wrapped his arms round him, kissing the top of his head. "What did she say? If you don't mind me asking."

Justin sighed as he hugged Nick back. "Can we go to bed?"

Nick nodded his head. "Of course." He said softly as he lead Justin into the bedroom.

Once in the bedroom, Justin went right over to the bed, climbed on, and hugged his pillow close...not even bothering to take his sweatshirt off.

Sighing, Nick got into bed still fully dressed but he didn’t care he just wanted to hold Justin. Moving in close he wrapped his arms around him once more. "I'm sorry you're hurting, baby." He whispered.

Justin closed his eyes and took a deep, shaky breath...trying not to cry again. He didn't have an ounce of energy left in him to cry.

"Everything will be okay...You'll see." Nick continued to say soft kind and reassuring things into Justin's ear as he held him close.

"She's hurting so bad," Justin said in a whisper. "She's so lonely. I mean...she has mama...and Eddie...and Trace...but she's lonely. She wishes she had her family...especially her mom."

"I'm sure she does." Nick said sadly. "Everybody needs their moms especially when something like this happens."

"I wish I was there. I mean...I'm not her mom...but..."

Nick pulled back a little so he could look into Justin's eyes. "I think we should fly there and see her. I know she says you can’t cancel shows and stuff...but I don't think either of you can get over this...without having each other." He whispered. "Please consider it."

Justin shook his head a bit. "You don't know Kelly well enough yet, Nick. She'll have my balls. She'll be pissed. Besides...we leave in like... two week, anyway."

Nick had to giggle a little at that. "Yeah and you two will be close to tears and making yourselves sick if you are apart from each other for any longer. Like you said you aren't her mom but she will be beyond happy to see you even though she may be pissed at first. I hate seeing you so sad, baby. Would you rather have your balls or be with Kelly?"

Justin sighed. "I'll have to think about it...and talk to her about it."

Nick nodded his head. "Okay...and I'll go with whatever you choose...I'll even stay here if you want me too."

"We'll see," Justin said...taking another deep breath to try and calm himself.

"I love you." Nick whispered as he kissed Justin's temple. His hands gently rubbing his boyfriend's back to help try and calm him.

"I love you, too," Justin responded...then remained quiet for a few minutes before speaking again. "She's so happy she has Eddie there, though," he said...lightening the mood a bit.

"I'm glad...she needs something to make her happy." Nick said with a small smile. "And he really cares for her."

Justin nodded as he sniffled quickly. "He definitely does."

Nick looked into Justin's eyes. "It's okay to cry if you need to, baby."

Justin sighed. "I can't cry anymore...not now. I'm all cried out."

Nick moved his hands so they were running over Justin's hair. "She's going to do better once she's home."

"I hope so. She's selling her house, ya know."

"She's what?" Nick asked with wide eyes.

Justin nodded. "Yeah."

"But she loved that house."

Justin sighed...closing his eyes again. "I know. But...she said she doesn't need the space. She...she bought it for the baby."

"Then where is she going to live?" Nick asked quietly. He already knew the answer he thought but wanted to know for sure.

"For now...at my house. But I'm sure she intends on finding a place of her own when she's up to it."

Nick nodded his head. "I know it wouldn't matter if I said the total opposite since it is your house...but I don't mind in the least if she lives with us for however long she needs to."

"I know you don't."

"Now if she continues to sleep in your bed...that I might feel a little iffy about." Nick said trying to lighten the mood...but as soon as he said it he thought maybe that wasn't really all that funny after all.

Justin took a deep breath. "If it's what she needs..."

Nick nodded his head quickly. "Right...I know...that was a dumb thing for me to say...I'm sorry."

Justin sighed. "No it wasn't. I understand where you're coming from."

"I have my own perfectly nice bed that will feel sad if I don't use it." Nick said with a small smile.

"I guess so."

"But I would miss you." Nick said, wanting to make sure Justin knew that.

"I know...and I'D miss YOU. But...whatever happens, I don't think it'll be for too long. She's much too independent. Well...at least she was before all this, anyway."

Nick nodded his head. He did know that about Kelly over the short month and a half that he had known them. "Yeah she is."

"Nick...I need to get something off my chest...but you gotta swear to keep it in this room."

"Of course." Nick said as he pulled back a little bit so he could look at Justin better.

Justin opened his eyes and looked into Nick's. "She told me...and we were right," he said in a whisper.

Nick was going to ask 'right about what' when he remembered what they had talked about the night before. His breath caught in his throat and he could feel tears come to his eyes. "Oh God...poor girl."

Justin swallowed the lump in his throat. "Yeah...it was bad."

Memories of his own experiences with William and all the things he had been forced to do flash through Nick's mind but he didn't say anything about it. "So, because of that...she can't have kids?"

"There's a really good chance," Justin said...then paused to wipe his eyes. "She's devastated. She thinks no one will ever wanna marry her if she can't have kids."

"Oh but that isn't true." Nick said softly reaching up to wipe his own eyes. "And she can adopt and stuff. I mean it isn't the same but she can still have children."

"I know...and SHE knows that...but...she can't think rationally right now."

Nick nodded and then literally shook his head to try and clear the memories that kept flooding back. "Yeah, that makes sense."

"She's got a crush on Eddie," Justin said with a quiet chuckle...closing his eyes again.

"You make her sound fifteen." Nick giggled.

"She's cute enough and little enough to be fifteen."

"True but she isn't." Nick laughed. "What did she say to you about him?"

"Pretty much that she definitely thinks her feelings for him are changing, but she doesn't know why."

"Does she think he has feelings for her?"

"He TOLD her he does...before he even got there...when he was still HERE and they were talkin."

Nick's eye went wide. "Whoa."

Justin chuckled. "I know."

"I wonder what they did all day while in that hospital room together?" Nick just said out of the blue.

Justin laughed. "I highly doubt they were gettin it on, or anything."

Nick laughed and rolled his eyes. "I was NOT thinking of that...even though sex in a hospital would be pretty kinky."

Justin chuckled quietly...keeping his eyes closed as he snuggled closer to Nick. "She'd never. HE on the other hand..."

"You never know she might." Nick giggled. "And some how I don't doubt that he would."

"Oh he WOULD."

Just then Nick thought of a silly question to ask. "What was the craziest place you've had sex?"

"Oh Lord...I have no idea."

"Is that cuz you've done it in so many crazy places?" Nick chuckled.

"No..."

"Oh come on...you gota have some place."

"I don't think so. I can't really afford to be risky."

Nick thought about that for a second. "You've got a good point...well you and Kelly in the bathroom on your bus while everybody else was just a few feet away that was pretty crazy."

"True."

"Not to mentioned very cramped."

"True," Justin said again.

Nick could tell Justin wasn't having fun with this topic so he just leaned over and kissed him gently on the lips, snuggling in closer again...feeling the need to be close.

"Do you still think everything's gonna be OK?"

Nick nodded his head. "Yes I do think everything is going to be okay."

"I hope you're right."

"Is she going to consoling for what happened...both a few days ago and what happened before?" He asked softly.

Justin nodded. "She met with someone at the hospital that she's gonna start seeing. And...We’re gonna go together once I get back."

"Good." Nick said with a small smile. Happy that he wasn't going to have to convince Justin to talk to somebody because he would be a hypocrite. He was supposed to be in consoling but never actually went.

"Thank you...for understanding the relationship I have with her."

"I'm glad you have each other...I don't feel threatened by what you guys have at all." Nick said honestly. "At least not anymore."

"Cuz the baby's gone?" Justin asked in a whisper.

Nick's eyes went wide and shook his head. "No of course not. I never felt threatened by the baby. Knowing you love me is what I meant."

Justin smiled. "Oh."

"I'm sorry If I acted like I wasn't happy or supportive about the baby."

"No...you didn't. Not at all."

"Cuz I know that was when I was kind of trying to monopolize your time a bit." Nick said softly. "When you first found out."

"Forget it, Nick. It's not an issue anymore."

Nick nodded his head. "Right...it's not." He said with a small smile.

"Nope."

"Cuz I finally got it through my thick head that if I wanted to keep you I had to back off...not hang on with claws." Nick giggled.

Justin chuckled. "Good job."

"I was just so scared of losing you and at the time it didn't occur to me that I was pushing you farther away."

"Seems like you've figured things out, though."

"Yeah our intense talk on New Years slapped some sense into me."

"Even though it probably seemed like I was being a jackass at the time."

"I got ticked at you." Nick giggled remembering.

"I know."

"But it all worked out and look at us now." Nick said smiling big.

Justin nodded. "And just incase I haven't yet, I wanna thank you for staying here with me...and helping me deal with all this...even though you thought YOU should have been the one to go be with Kelly."

"I was just trying to make it easier on everybody." Nick pointed out. "Hell I don't know what I would have done if I had gone, I don't know how to help people greave something like that."

"Yes you do. You've BEEN doing it."

Nick looked confused for a second and then giggled. "Oh right...*I* haven't I."

"Definitely."

"I still have NO idea what I'm doing." Nick admitted

"Yes you do. It's not something you can practice or learn to do. You just...do it when someone needs you to."

"I can't help but take care of you." Nick whispered. "I love you and want to try and make all the pain go away even though I can't."

"But just the fact that you're trying means the world."

"Really?"

"Of course."

Nick bit his lower lip, his mind was still racing with memories as he knew he needed to talk about them. "Justin...I want to talk about something, but I don't want to make things worse for you. So, I can wait if you want me to."

Justin opened his eyes to look at Nick. "No...go ahead."

Letting go of his lower lip, Nick took a deep breath. "I...I kind of know how Kelly feels...about what...well you told me." He said softly. He knew he told Justin a little bit about what had happened but he hadn't told all of it.

"What do you mean?"

"Do you remember me tell you about that guy...who locked me up in his house. What made me decide I had to change my life style?"

"Yeah..."

"Okay...well then you already know. I mean I'm sure it wasn’t nearly as bad as Kelly." Nick sighed and shook his head. "Never mind it's not important."

"It's important...cuz it hurts you."

"I just wish I could stop thinking about it. It's been years and I sill can't stop." Nick whispered.

"And you probably never will," Justin said quietly.

Nick sighed and nodded. "I know."

"Maybe YOU should get some help, too," Justin suggested gently.

"Yeah...maybe." Nick said with another sigh. Justin was the first person that ever got him to even say that much. "I just hate to know Kelly went through that. She didnt' deserve it at all."

"Well neither did you. No one does."

Nick didn't respond to that, because he did feel like he deserved it.

Justin sighed. "You didn't deserve it, Nicky," he assured his boyfriend again.

"He wouldn't of done it if I hadn't moved." Nick whispered sounding sort of far away.

"What do you mean, baby?"

"I was supposed to sit in this dark corner in this little tiny room all the time and not move unless he told me to. My leg was cramping up so badly that I had to get up and move...and he...."

"Shh..." Justin said...kissing Nick's forehead.

Nick bit his lower lip trying so hard to keep himself from going back to that room in his mind. "I was so scared."

"I know."

Taking a deep breath he shook the memories away again. "But I...just wanted to tell you that...or well remind you of it just in case I kinda zone out or something cuz sometimes memories just hit me at the weirdest times."

"I can understand that...what with everything that's going on right now."

"But I will try not to cuz you need me to help you. Not freak out myself." Nick whispered snuggling in even closer to Justin.

"We can help each other," Justin said through a quiet yawn.

"You're going to have to get me a huge teddy bear to snuggle with when we get home if Kelly is sleeping with you." Nick giggled as he wrapped his arms around Justin even more. "Cuz I will miss having my snuggle buddy."

Justin laughed. "Freak."

"What...I wasn't trying to be freakish. I was being serious." Nick giggled again. "I'll miss being able to cuddle with you."

"Me too."

"You'll have Kel to snuggle with."

"Not the same."

"Yeah there is more of me to cuddle." Nick laughed.

"Much more."

"Kelly would have to gain like 100 pounds to keep up with me." Nick giggled.

"Probably more than that."

"Probably...since I'm not even sure how much I weigh anymore...and I really don't care to find out."

"Doesn't matter anyway."

"Nope cuz you like my belly."

"Yup...and the rest of you, too."

Nick smiled. "Good to know cuz the rest of me would be jealous if you only liked my tummy."

Justin laughed as he yawned again.

"Okay sleepy boy let's turn off the lights." Nick giggled as he moved away and rolled more so he could turn the lights off.

"Thanks," Justin mumbled as he burrowed his head deeper into his pillow.

Once the lights were off, Nick got up out of bed and stripped down to his boxers and wifebeater and climbed back into bed. "Do you want to keep your sweatshirt on?" He asked seeing that Justin still had it on and also knowing how warm Justin got when he slept.

Justin nodded. "Yeah...I'm OK."

"Okay." Nick said with a yawn of his own as he snuggled up close and leaned over to place a goodnight kiss to Justin's lips.

"Love you, Nicky," Justin mumbled quietly.

"I love you too, Justin." Nick whispered as he lied down his head on the same pillow as Justin's and closed his eyes. "Night, night."

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

Using the key he had, Eddie let himself into the large house and smiled when he saw Lynn move through the entry hall looking like she was looking for something. "Hey Lynn."

Lynn looked up at smiled. "Welcome back, Eddie."

"Thanks." Eddie said with another smile and friendly wave as he moved through the entry hall and into the rest of the house. Making his way down one of the main floor hallways he got to Kelly's room and poked his head in. When he didn't see her he got a confused look on his face. "Kel?"

"In the bathroom," Kelly responded to Eddie's voice...not lifting her head from it's perch on the side of the tub.

"Oh okay." Eddie giggled as he went to take a seat on Kelly's bed to wait for her, not realizing she was in the tub.

When she still hadn't seen Eddie after a couple of minutes, Kelly lifted her head and looked toward the open bathroom door. "You there?"

"Yup." Eddie called from his position on the edge of Kelly's bed.

"Well...come here."

Eddie arched an eyebrow but got up off the bed and walked into the bathroom. His breath caught in his throat when he saw Kelly in the bath tub but quickly tried to shake the thoughts from his head. This was Kelly. "Hey...having fun relaxing?"

Kelly nodded as her eyes met Eddie's. "Yeah...feels good. I think I needed this."

"Baths are always nice." Eddie said as he hopped up to sit on the counter.

Kelly nodded again. "So how was your day with Manny?"

"It was good, we went to the beach and just hung out. It's been like years since we've done something like that."

Kelly smiled. "Good...I'm glad. And you're getting along OK?"

Eddie nodded is head. "Yeah we are. I mean it's taking some getting used to cuz we haven't lived together for a while, but we're doing okay."

"I'm happy to hear that," Kelly said...then took a deep breath as she sank a bit deeper into the tub. "I just talked to Justin."

"How did that go?" Eddie asked gently just in case it didn't go well.

"Pretty good, I guess. I mean...it was the first time we've really talked since...all of this."

Eddie smiled. "I'm glad...how is he doing?"

"He's...OK. I mean...he's definitely hurting, that's for sure. But...he says having Nick around is a big help."

"Good to know cuz I would have to go beat the guy up if he's not taking care of our boy." Eddie laughed.

Kelly laughed quietly. "Yeah."

Eddie was glad that the bathroom was as big as it was because from his perch on the counter he couldn't see Kelly's body. Yeah, he was a gentleman and knew he had to be under his best behavior since Kelly was sick but he was a guy and she was a very beautiful girl so there was only so much he could control when it came to his body.

"I told him everything," Kelly said quietly...looking down as she used her hands to squeeze handfuls of the bubbly water. "I mean...it was HIS baby. He had the right to know why this happened."

Eddie swallowed hard. "What did he say?"

Kelly sighed. "He felt horrible. Kinda like you did, I'm sure."

Eddie nodded his head. "Yeah, but was I right when I told you he doesn't blame you for what happened?"

Kelly smiled...looking over at Eddie. "Yes...you were...as always."

"Of course, I'm the all and mighty Eddie." laughed Eddie.

Kelly giggled quietly. "Of course."

"I told Manny about what I'm doing...you know changing my life and stuff." Eddie said out of the blue.

"And what'd he say to that?"

"He was shocked."

"Well...can you blame him, really? I mean...*I* was, too," Kelly said..then cleared her throat. "Have you thought more about it? I mean...are you sure it's still what you wanna do? And do you wanna do it for YOU?"

Eddie nodded his head. "I need to do this."

Kelly smiled. "OK...then you have my support."

"It's not going to be easy though." Eddie laughed. "I'm already having issues with the no sex thing...but oh well."

Kelly chuckled. "What KIND of issues?"

"It's just kinda hard when I'm used to well having...doing it as much as I had been." Eddie said actually sounding embarrassed.

Kelly nodded. "That makes sense. But...what if you didn't completely give it up altogether? I mean...just...like...start by cutting down."

Eddie shook his head. "I wouldn't feel right about doing that. I would rather be a bundle of nerves." He laughed

Kelly laughed. "Just keep jerkin off, then."

"That is what I've been doing." Eddie giggled.

"OK, then. See...? You'll be fine."

"Yup...I'll be fine."

Kelly sighed and leaned away from the side of the tub. "Can I have a towel, please?"

Eddie hopped off the counter and grabbed a towel off the rack and walked to the tub to hand it to Kelly. "Do you need help getting up?"

"I...umm...I don't think so," Kelly said...bracing her hands on the side of the tub and starting to push herself up.

Eddie didn't step away from the tub just in case Kelly needed him.

Kelly was about to get out of the water when she blushed a bit and looked at Eddie. "Could you...umm...like...close your eyes, or something?" she asked almost nervously. She didn't want either of them to feel uncomfortable.

"Yeah...sorry." Eddie said blushing too as he closed his eyes tightly.

Kelly chuckled...then carefully lifted herself out of the tub, and reached for the towel Eddie was holding to wrap it around herself. "Thanks."

Eddie kept his eyes tightly closed waiting for Kelly to tell him he could open them up again.

Kelly laughed again. "OK...you can open them...geez."

Eddie opened his eyes and tried not to think too much about Kelly standing in front of him just in a towel. "You're getting much stronger if you could get out yourself."

Kelly nodded as she reached for Eddie's arm...gripping it to help her in stepping out of the tub. "Yeah...but it wore me out," she said with a laugh.

"You'll get all your strength back in no time." Eddie said with a smile as he helped her step out of the tub.

"I hope so," Kelly said...then turned to Eddie. "Would you mind going to grab me some clothes? Just...some Pjs...anything...as long as it's comfy."

"Sure." Eddie said with another smile as he walked out into the bedroom. Finding where she had her PJ's he grabbed the ones that Marty had bought for her before Christmas and carried them back into the bathroom. "Here you go."

Kelly had just finished drying off when Eddie got back, and was wrapping her towel back around her. "Thanks," she said...taking the pajamas from him.

"No problem." Eddie said as he backed up towards the door again. "I'll go wait out here."

Kelly nodded...watching Eddie move toward the door.

Eddie walked out of the room and went back to sit on Kelly's bed while she got dressed.

Kelly got into her PJs...then after throwing her towel in the hamper, she grabbed her brush, and went into the bedroom. "Thanks for your help," she said as she slowly climbed onto the bed, and sat back against the pillows.

"You're very welcome." Eddie said with a smile as he moved to sit up on the bed next to her.

"Did you bring food?" Kelly asked as she reached up to take the ponytail out of her hair.

Eddie nodded as he pointed to the bag on the night stand next to him. "Yup chicken salads from that place by my house that you love so much."

Kelly groaned. "Sounds perfect. Thank you," she said as she started brushing through her hair. "I haven't had real food in days."

"Glad that sounds good to you." Eddie smiled as he watched Kelly brush her hair. He knew he was falling hard because when he looked at her he didn't think he had ever seen a woman so beautiful.

Kelly set the brush down on her lap...taking a break so as not to get tired out. "Thanks for bringing it."

"Want me to brush it for you?" Eddie asked softly, noticing Kelly was getting a little tired from doing it.

Kelly smiled. "You don't mind?"

Eddie shook his head. "Not in the least." he said with a smile. "Why don't you move to sit between my legs so I can get to your hair better." he said spreading his legs.

Kelly nodded...then handed Eddie the brush before moving to sit Indian style between his legs.

Eddie took the brush and gently started to brush through her silky dark hair. He couldn't remember a time he had ever felt so content in his life and to think all he was doing was brushing Kelly's hair.

Kelly sighed contentedly as she closed her eyes and enjoyed Eddie's attention. "Feels good," she said quietly...then let out a little laugh. "A lot better than when Lynn combed it after she washed it earlier. I swear...must be a mom thing. They're NOT gentle on the head."

"I'm scared to know what torture she put Justin through with his curls as a kid." Eddie laughed as he continued to gently brush her hair.

Kelly giggled. "Me, too."

"Probably the main reason why he shaved his head."

"Could be," Kelly said with another quiet sigh...her hands falling onto Eddie's legs at her sides.

"I feel like I'm a girl at a slumber party." Eddie giggled. "Brushing hair."

Kelly laughed. "You are SO not a girl, Morales."

"Nope at least not the last time I checked."

"Not the last time *I* checked, either," Kelly teased.

"But that was a long time ago...things could of changed." Eddie giggled, having fun goofing around with Kelly.

"I hope not."

"Don't worry, babe...everything is the same since the last time you checked."

Kelly giggled. "OK. THAT'S reassuring."

Eddie laughed. "I thought it would be."

Kelly took a deep breath...allowing herself to relax completely under Eddie's soothing touch. "This feels really good."

"Good, I'm glad." Eddie said softly as he gently worked out a tangle that was towards the bottom.

Kelly laughed quietly. "I'm surprised Lynn missed that one with her evil comb."

Eddie laughed. "She's definitely a mom."

"Yeah. MY mom used to do the same thing to my hair when I was little."

"My mom tried when I had long hair as a kid...but I used to run away screaming." Eddie giggled at the memory. "So my dad made me shave my head so I didn't run around looking like a ragamuffin."

Kelly laughed. "You must have been so cute."

"I was a terror." Eddie giggled again. "Poor Manny didn't stand a chance around me. He was such a calm little boy and I was like the total opposite."

"And you were...what...like...almost five when he was born? You were probably a little bastard to him."

"I already told you what I did with him and the laxatives." Eddie giggled remembering that. "That was so mean."

"You WERE a bastard."

"He was so proud of himself for finally getting the potty training thing down...and I just wanted to keep him from gloating too much." Eddie said innocently.

"Wow...poor Manny."

"No poor me I got a huge ass spanking for that." Eddie pouted.

Kelly laughed out loud. "Oh...poor little thing," Kelly teased...turning her head a bit to kiss Eddie's chin.

"My ass still hurts thinking about it." Eddie said with a small smile when Kelly kissed his chin.

"Liar."

Eddie laughed. "Oh okay fine...you got me."

Kelly took a long, deep breath. "Thank you, baby...so much...for everything."

"You're welcome, Kel. I'm happy to be helping you." Eddie said sincerely.

"I know...and you keep saying that. But...I just need you to know how much it really means to me. Cuz...there are so many other things you could be doing right now."

"I know it does, baby." Eddie smiled and then thought of something. "So I'm assuming Nick is feeling better? Cuz last time I saw him he still didn't quite have his sea legs yet from that really nasty flu he had."

Kelly nodded. "Yeah. Justin said he's fine."

"That's good since he's supposed to be helping Justin through stuff."

"Yeah...and he really is. J said he doesn't know what he'd do without him."

"They have gotten a lot closer since they have been in London. You'll probably really notice a change when they come back."

Kelly smiled. "Good...I'm happy for them."

Putting Kelly's brush down next to them on the bed, he pulled Kelly back against him and wrapped his arms around her stomach. He didn't say anything just held her.

Kelly willingly relaxed back against Eddie. "Ya know...Justin doesn't know what he'd do without Nick...kinda like *I* don't know what I'D do without YOU."

"Everybody needs a friend for support." Eddie whispered as he kissed the top of Kelly's head.

"I know...and I have the best one out there."

Eddie closed his eyes and sighed. The feeling was stronger now. The feeling that he wanted Kelly more then just his friend. He couldn't remember ever feeling like this before.

Kelly sighed quietly as she bent her crossed legs up a bit...snuggling back against Eddie some more. It felt so good to have someone holding her.

"Do you wana eat your salad?" Eddie whispered against Kelly's head.

"In a minute," Kelly whispered back.

"Okay."

"This feels nice, Ed."

"It really does." Eddie answered honestly. He loved holding Kelly.

"I've needed this for a while."

"And I'm more then happy to do it." Eddie whispered as he took a deep breath inhailing Kelly's sent.

"I just..." Kelly started...feeling as though she needed to explain herself. "...I've been needing to feel safe...and protected."

"I'm glad I make you feel like that. Because I would never let anybody hurt you.

"I know that. And...I know YOU'D never hurt me, either."

"Not on purpose." Eddie said softly. He still was scared that he wasn't what Kelly needed.

"I know."

"I'm scared I will though." Eddie whispered.

"What do you mean?"

Eddie took a deep breath. "I feel like I'm going to let you down and hurt you some how...even if I try hard not to."

Kelly pulled away from Eddie, and turned his arms a bit so that she could look at him. "Eddie...why would you even think that?"

"Cuz I always screw things up." Eddie whispered.

Kelly reached her hand up to gently touch Eddie's cheek. "That's not true."

"I don't know how to do relationships." Eddie whispered again. "I know how to fuck around."

Kelly took a deep breath. "Eddie...you've had...what...ONE relationship?"

"Which I fucked up."

"Maybe so...but you were young and scared."

Eddie giggled. "Now I'm old and scared."

"What are you scared of?"

Eddie shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not really sure."

"So...then...if you don't know what there is to be scared of...then why be scared at all?" Kelly asked calmly...lightly stroking Eddie's cheek as she tried to talk things through with him.

Eddie thought about what Kelly said and after a few seconds he smiled. "You've got a point."

Kelly smiled and nodded. "I think so," she said...then took a deep breath. "Or...I mean...if fucking around is still what you wanna do...then..." she prodded...trying to make Eddie realize how irrational his fears really were...and help him figure out what he really wanted.

"I don't want to." Eddie said quickly.

"Well what DO you want?"

"I don't want to fuck around anymore. If I do at all it's going to be with one girl."

Kelly raised an eyebrow. "You sound like you're saying...IF you ever have sex again."

Eddie giggled. "Well if I don't have a girlfriend then I wont be."

Kelly nodded. "I see. Or...you could just fuck around with one girl...who isn't necessarily your girlfriend. Just like...have one friend with benefits, or something. I mean...if you still feel scared of a relationship."

"Maybe."

"You just have to decide what's best for you."

"I think I need to become a monk." Eddie giggled.

"No way," Kelly said with a laugh.

"You don't think I could do it?"

"I just don't think you SHOULD do it."

Eddie laughed again. "I wouldn't. I don't look too nice in brown robes and I DO want to have sex again sometime."

Kelly smiled. "You'd be depriving the ladies of something special if you did that."

Eddie smirked. "How would YOU know?" He teased.

Kelly shrugged...blushing a bit. "I DON'T know...not really. I'm just assuming a guy with YOUR looks...YOUR body...YOUR moves...and YOUR...well...package...would HAVE to be good."

"My package huh?" Eddie giggled as he purposely ground his crotch against Kelly's ass just being a nut.

Kelly laughed. "Stop that."

Eddie giggled as he did it again. Not sure why he was torturing himself like that but he loved to hear Kelly laugh.

Kelly laughed again as she squirmed away from Eddie. "Cut it out, you perv."

"Sorry my hips have a mind of their own." Eddie laughed as his hips thrust forward once again still being his crazy self.

"That might work when you're talking about dancing, but it doesn't work with me," Kelly said...slowly getting up to bring her brush back to the bathroom.

"Kel...I'm sorry." Eddie said quickly, thinking he had made her uncomfortable and want to leave.

Kelly laughed on her way to the bathroom. "For what?" she asked...stopping in front of the mirror to put her hair up.

"For doing that."

"For doing what?" Kelly asked...coming out of the bathroom once her hair was in a messy bun.

"Goofing around like I was...I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." Eddie said honestly.

Kelly folded her arms over her chest. "Eddie...you didn't make me uncomfortable. Baby...I don't want you to be nervous or cautious with me. Just...be yourself. That's the Eddie I love."

Eddie nodded his head, still feeling kind of bad. "Okay."

Kelly could tell by the look on Eddie's face that his mind wasn't at ease. She walked up to him and reached up to put a hand on his chin...making sure he was looking at her. "I mean it."

Eddie smiled a little and nodded again. "Okay...I just shouldn't of done that anyway. Grindin ain't good." he giggled.

Kelly smiled back. "For you...probably not."

"I don't really feel like being stuck with a hard on until I go home tonight." Eddie laughed.

Kelly chuckled...her hand still on Eddie's chin. "Exactly."

"So guess I have to be a good boy then." Eddie pouted playfully.

Kelly pouted back. "Guess so."

"Being a good boy is no fun."

Kelly giggled at how cute Eddie was being, and couldn't resist the urge to lean up and kiss his pout.

Eddie couldn't help the smile that came over his lips when Kelly's came in contact with them.

"You're such a cutie."

"Nope you are."

Kelly giggled...backing away from Eddie to go back and sit on the bed. "OK, big boy...feed me!"

Eddie laughed as he got the bag and handed Kelly her salad, a fork and a few napkins. Then he reached for the travel carrier on the floor with their drinks in it. "There you go ma'am."

"Thank you so much," Kelly said...sitting Indian style again as she opened the salad container on her lap.

"No problem." Eddie smiled as he opened his own salad and started to nibble on it.

Kelly watched Eddie as she put a piece of chicken into her mouth. "Still not eating?"

"I am too eating." Eddie stated as he chewed on a tomato.

"Be honest with me. Why aren't you eating right? I mean...I know you can't eat when you're worried or nervous, but everything's OK now...isn't it?"

Eddie nodded his head. "Yeah...and I am eating."

Kelly sighed quietly and went back to eating her own salad. "OK," she said...even though she couldn't shake the feeling that Eddie wasn't telling her something.

Eddie continued to pick at his salad finding he wasn't very hungry after all.

Kelly watched Eddie closely for a few minutes before finally putting her own fork down. "What?"

"What, what?" Eddie giggled.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong." Eddie said with a smile. "Why would you think something was wrong?"

"Cuz you're not eating..." Kelly said again. "...and you look distracted."

"Nothing is wrong." Eddie said again but this time he sighed instead of smiled. He couldn't say that his problem that he was falling harder then he knew what to deal with...for her.

"Why won't you tell me?" Kelly asked quietly. He'd been such a good friend to her...and she wanted to do the same for him.

Eddie blinked back tears that he was surprised to feel. "I...I..."

Kelly's eyes narrowed in confusion when she saw that Eddie looked like he was about to cry. She reached out to take his hand...letting him go on at his own pace.

"I have feelings for you Kel...that keep getting stronger..." Eddie said in a very quiet whisper as he looked down at their joined hands.

Kelly took a deep breath. She knew it'd been happening, but she was trying her best to ignore it. "I know."

"I've never felt like this before." Eddie continued. "It's scaring the shit outa me."

Kelly managed a smile. "How could you possibly be scared of ME?" she asked quietly.

Eddie looked to look at Kelly. "I'm not scared of you...I'm just not sure what to do about my feelings."

"Well...what do you WANT to do about them?"

"I don't know...cuz we both said we were gunna wait."

Kelly just nodded...waiting for Eddie to go on.

"But...my feelings have gotten a lot stronger since then."

"Since we were talking on the phone?"

"And the first day I was here...when we kinda talked about it." Eddie answered.

Kelly nodded again. "Well...I don't know, Ed. Maybe...if you can't deal with it right now...you shouldn't hang around me all the time like you have been."

Eddie's eyes went wide. He didn't like that idea at all. "But I like hanging out with you all the time."

Kelly smiled. "I do, too...a lot. But...if it's making you uneasy..."

"I guess I just have so much going on right now. I mean It really had nothing to do with how much time I spend with you. It actually makes me feel better."

"Does it?"

Eddie smiled a little and nodded. "It does."

"Well...then...with everything that's going on, what needs to change for you to feel better?"

"I just need to deal with it." Eddie said with a shrug.

"No...what does YOU need to feel better...and start taking care of yourself?"

"You're not eating...and not sleeping nearly enough."

Eddie just looked down at his lap and didn't say anything because he knew Kelly was right.

Kelly sighed...looking down at her hand as it played with Eddie's. "I'm probably not helping much by always touching you like this," she observed out loud as she came to the realization of what she was doing.

"I like when you touch me." Eddie said softly, still looking down at his lap.

"Me too."

Eddie turned his head to look at Kelly finally. "So don't stop."

"I won't."

Eddie smiled a little. "Good." He looked into Kelly's big brown eyes and took a deep breath.

Kelly looked back at Eddie. "What are you thinking?" she asked calmly.

Eddie blushed a little when he knew he was caught staring. "Uhh...nothing." He whispered.

"Tell me," Kelly whispered back.

"I really want to kiss you." Eddie whispered again.

"OK..."

Eddie wasn't sure if that was an invitation or not so he didn't do anything.

Kelly waited a moment, then raised an eyebrow. "Well...?"

"Y...you don't mind?" Eddie asked softly.

Kelly giggled. "Of course not. How many times have *I* asked YOU to kiss ME the past couple days?"

Eddie just nodded, not going to say that this was a little different. Instead he just leaned forward and pressed his lips against Kelly's gently.

Kelly returned Eddie's gentle kiss...smiling against his lips.

Eddie wanted to deepen the kiss but he didn't in fear that isn't what Kelly wanted. Instead he just continued to kiss her gently.

Kelly knew it was going to be up to her if she wanted the kiss to go any further...and she did. She reached up to gently cup Eddie's face in her hands as she moved her lips against his with a little more force.

Eddie couldn't help the soft moan that escaped his lips when he felt Kelly deepen the kiss. Finally letting his guard down just a little he took it upon himself to bring his tongue out to lick her lips and ask for entrance.

Kelly opened her mouth right away...coaxing Eddie's tongue into her mouth with a soft groan.

Eddie's tongue found it's way into Kelly's mouth and set out to get to know each part of the unfamiliar mouth.

Kelly let her hands drift from Eddie's cheeks to the back of his neck...where thet started toying with the bottoms of his braids as she kissed him back with all the energy she had.

Knowing Kelly didn't have much energy, Eddie kept the kiss slow and sweet to help save as much energy as she had. His hands moving to the back of her head.

Kelly finally needed to get some air, so she pulled back from the kiss a bit...but continued nibbling at Eddie's lips between breaths.

Eddie kept his eyes closed as his fingers played with her hair. He whimpered a little, he liked how her nibbling felt.

Kelly giggled and pulled away. "You make the cutest noises."

Eddie giggled back. "Thanks...I think."

"Well you do."

Eddie giggled again. "Well it felt good."

Kelly smiled. "Yes...it did."

"You have amazing lips." Eddie whispered as he reached over and touched her lips with his finger.

Kelly giggled...her eyes on Eddie's. "If you say so."

"I do...I say so."

"And you're always right...so..."

"Exactly." Eddie giggled and then shivered a little when for some reason his mind thought of Kelly's lips on his ear.

"You OK?"

"Uhh...yeah." Eddie laughed at himself for even thinking about that.

Kelly giggled...her fingers still playing over the back of Eddie's neck. "What?"

Eddie shook his head. "It's stupid."

Kelly shrugged. "Tell me anyway."

"I uhh...was just thinking about how those amazing lips of yours would feel on my ear." Eddie said quickly.

Kelly giggled again. "You perv. That's your SPOT."

Eddie laughed. "Exactly why I wasn't going to say anything."

Kelly put a thoughtful look on her face. "Hmmm...I MUST have kissed your ears before...no?"

"I don't remember." Eddie said, trying to remember.

"Me neither."

Eddie shrugged. "Not like it matters." He giggled.

"It doesn't?"

"Does it matter that you don't remember if you kissed my ears before?"

Kelly laughed. "No."

"Didn't think so." Eddie laughed

"Wanna see if we can remember?"

Eddie raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Kelly leaned in to whisper in Eddie's ear. "Let's see if we can remember."

"O...okay." Eddie whispered back, wondering what in the world he was getting himself into, but he was curious to find out.

Kelly laughed a breathy giggle into Eddie's right ear before lightly nibbling at the diamond earring in his earlobe.

Like the magazine had said the day before, Eddie was instantly hard and a small moan escaped his lips.

Kelly laughed at Eddie's moan. "I didn't DO anything yet."

Eddie laughed. "Maybe not but...yeah." He giggled more.

Kelly pulled back to look at Eddie. "Yeah, what?"

"You may not have really done anything yet but it still felt good." Eddie explained.

"Oh...I see."

Eddie licked his lips wondering what Kelly was going to do next.

Kelly giggled. "Stop doing that."

"Doing what?" Eddie asked having no idea what she meant.

"Licking your lips. I've told you about that."

Eddie smirked a little. "Oh...why should I stop?"

"Cuz I like it a little too much."

"You nibble and lick my ear and I'll lick my lips and we'll be even." Eddie giggled.

Kelly dropped her head back as she laughed.

"What...what did I say?" Eddie asked innocently.

"Nuthin, baby."

Eddie giggled. "Okay."

"You're so hot," Kelly said with a smile as she fingered one of Eddie's braids.

"No...you're hot."

"I am not."

"Oh yes you are." Eddie whispered as he looked into Kelly's eyes. "Very hot."

"Huh uh...especially not right now."

"I think you are beautiful." Eddie said honestly. "So very beautiful with those lips that make me melt."

Kelly chuckled. "Forget about my lips for a second."

"It's hard to forget about them." Eddie giggled.

Kelly smiled as she took a deep breath...just looking at Eddie.

"Are you okay?" Eddie asked, seeing Kelly take a deep breath.

"Yeah...but I wanna know if YOU are. Like...I don't want you to be confused or nervous or scared anymore."

Eddie smiled. "I’m cool." He said honestly.

Kelly cocked her head. "Why...what's different now from ten minutes ago?"

"I mean I don't have everything figured out...but I just feel better now that I talked about it." Eddie explained.

"But...I wanna help you figure things out."

"I thought we were working on remembering ear nibbling." Eddie giggled.

Kelly rolled her eyes. "But is THAT gonna help you figure your life out?"

"No probably not...but I don't think I'm going to figure my life out right away it's going to take time." Eddie explained.

"OK...well...what about US?"

"I think that maybe we should just let our guard down a bit and just see where it goes." Eddie said softly, hoping he wasn't saying the wrong thing.

"You really think that's a good idea? I mean...we're still gonna just...kinda date for a while, right?"

Eddie nodded is head. "Yeah we're going to do that."

Kelly nodded. "OK."

"Now what?" Eddie asked, looking into Kelly's eyes.

Kelly shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe you could ask me out on a date when I'm off bed rest," she said almost bitterly.

Eddie smiled and nodded. "I was planning on it. I already have something in mind."

"Ooohhh...really? What?"

"It's a surprise." Eddie giggled.

Kelly pouted. "Aww...come on."

Eddie shook his head. "Nope...not going to tell you."

Kelly sighed. "Fine."

Eddie leaned in and kissed Kelly's nose. "I just want it to be a special surprise, baby."

Kelly smiled and nodded. "OK."

Eddie pulled back and smiled at Kelly. "Good, glad to see you smile."

Kelly nodded. "It feels good...and I have you to thank."

"I'm glad I make you happy."

"You make me SO happy," Kelly said softly.

"You make me very happy too." Eddie said with a big smile on his face.

Kelly sighed and reached up to rub her forehead. "This is all too weird."

Eddie wasn't expecting that reaction and moved back a little bit. "In...a bad way?"

Kelly shrugged. "I don't know. Not good or bad...just weird. Like...it feels...wrong. GOOD...but wrong...like I'm doing something bad."

"You aren't doing anything wrong, Kel."

"But it feels like it. How could I not feel trampy going from friend to friend to friend?"

"Because you didn't have trampy intentions of going in and having sex for the fun of it." Eddie whispered. "You do everything with emotion it's not just spontaneous."

Kelly nodded. "That's true."

"You cared for each of the guys you've been with."

"Definitely," Kelly agreed...then paused to laugh. "You know what's REALLY weird?"

"What?" Eddie asked curiously.

"That technically...YOU could have been before any of them."

Eddie laughed. "You needed somebody better then me at the time."

"Why would you say that?"

"I was still in major party mode. I'm glad Justin was the one who got to be your first. Sure he's been with his share of women too, but he was never one to go out and pick up random people."

"He hasn't been with that many, ya know."

Eddie nodded his head. "I know."

Kelly took a deep breath. "So...you really don't think its wrong of me to be with you...RIGHT after being with two of your best friends?"

"What does your heart feel is right?" Eddie asked, knowing he couldn't really tell Kelly what to feel.

Kelly shrugged. "My heart tells me to do what makes me happy."

"Would it make you happy to be with me?" Eddie questioned mostly for her to think things through.

"Of course. I mean...I think so. I KNOW you make me happy."

Eddie smiled. "Then that is your answer. You just need to do what you feel is right. Marty and Justin would want the same thing."

Kelly nodded. "I know. But...I still think we should go easy with this."

Eddie nodded his head back. "I totally agree."

"Good."

Eddie took a deep content breath and relaxed back against the bed more. "I'm glad we talked about all that."

Kelly nodded. "Me, too."

Smiling Eddie looked around the room. "I always liked this room."

Kelly shrugged. "It's OK."

"Is something wrong?" Eddie asked, turning his head to look at Kelly. Something didn't seem quite right.

Kelly shook her head. "Nothing at all," she said...plucking a piece of chicken out of her salad with her fingers and bringing it to her mouth.

Eddie raised an eyebrow but knew Kelly would talk about it if something really was bothering her. "Okay." He said as he went back to eating his own salad. This time taking big bites.

"So...basically...you're holding out for me, then," Kelly said after thinking quietly for a few minutes. It was as if she had just come to the realization.

"Yeah...that's what I'm doing." Eddie answered with his mouth full of his salad.

"For real?"

Eddie nodded his head as he swallowed. "Is that hard to believe?"

Kelly shrugged. "I don't know," she said before eating a forkful of salad.

"The next time I have sex...it will be with you." Eddie said rather bluntly. "I mean if things keep going the way they are now."

Kelly laughed quietly. "What makes you so sure *I* wanna sleep with YOU?"

Eddie laughed. "Wishful thinking?"

"Geez...what's up with me making men wanna change their ways?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well...Marty realized he had feelings for me and stopped fucking around. "Now you..." Kelly paused for a moment. "...or...not really...cuz you said you're doing it for you."

Eddie nodded his head. "I was thinking about doing it a long time before I really knew I had feelings for you. But once I did I knew that is really what I wanted to do. "

"Well...whatever the reason...I'm glad you're doing it."

"Me too." Eddie smiled

"And no drinking...really?"

Eddie nodded his head. "Yeah, no drinking."

"What about the caffeine pills?"

"I haven't taken them since I found out about Marty's problem." Eddie answered honestly. "I don't need them."

"What DO you need? To be happy, I mean...to function."

Eddie looked at Kelly kind of funny. "What do you mean?"

"What would make you perfectly happy right now?"

"I am happy right now." Eddie smiled. "Sitting here and talking with you makes me happy."

"But...beyond that...beyond right this second."

"I want you to be healthy again so I can take you out on our date." Eddie giggled.

Kelly smiled. "I'm not gonna get a serious answer, am I?"

"I'm not really sure what to say." Eddie answered honestly. "I don't really know what would make me perfectly happy."

Kelly nodded. "OK."

"But that doesn't mean I'm not happy...cuz I am." Eddie said looking Kelly in the eye so she would know he was telling the truth.

Kelly smiled at Eddie...tilting her head a bit. "I know."

"So what are we gunna do with the rest of our night?" Eddie asked with raised eyebrows.

Kelly shrugged as she covered her half-eaten salad. "Any ideas?"

"We could watch a movie or something." Eddie suggested.

"If you want," Kelly said before taking a long sip of her soda.

Eddie shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno...I'm not sure what we would watch." He laughed.

"Anything," Kelly said...gazing at Eddie...thinking that she'd be happy just watching HIM all night.

"Why do I have the feeling you would rather watch me." Eddie giggled as he looked back into Kelly's eyes. Thinking he wouldn't mind just looking at her too.

Kelly's stomach flipped a bit. "I never said that."

"No but that's what I'm feeling and I think I see the same look in your eyes that I know are in mine" Eddie whispered.

Kelly smiled as she set her salad and soda on the bedside table, then rested back against the pillows. "Cool...so...we're just gonna sit here and stare at each other, then?"

"Could be interesting." Eddie giggled.

Kelly chuckled...absently reaching for Eddie's hand again.

Eddie took Kelly's hand and held it in his own. He loved touching her no matter how small the touch was.

Kelly giggled as she looked down at their joined hands. "I don't know what I find so fascinating about your hands."

"I have no idea either...they just seem kinda blah to me."

Kelly looked up into Eddie's eyes. "I think it's just the touching that I like."

"I like the touching too." Eddie said looking back into Kelly's eyes.

Kelly chuckled quietly. "I like touching your hair, too," she said...letting go of Eddie's hand to reach up and touch his braids.

Eddie let out a soft barly there moan. "I like my hair touched too." He giggled.

"I have a feeling you like to be touched all over."

Eddie laughed. "How did you figure that out."

"Good guess," Kelly said quietly...trailing her fingertip down the path between two of his braids.

Eddie shivered a little at the feeling. Something about Kelly's hands or the way they were moving made him tingle all over.

Kelly chuckled at the shiver. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No...that felt good." Eddie said with a smile. "Really good."

Kelly giggled quietly. "Oh...alright," she said...moving both her hands to take hold of Eddie's hands.

Eddie looked into Kelly's eyes as he held onto her hands. "I find myself looking into your eyes a lot."

"That's OK...cuz yours are beautiful."

"So are yours."

"Thanks," Kelly said...then gave Eddie a shy smile. "There's something else I think is beautiful, but I think it'd be inappropriate to say."

Eddie raised an eyebrow. "Now I'm curious...so you have to tell me."

Kelly giggled. "Your chest."

Eddie looked down at his t-shirt covered chest. "I think it's pretty normal to me."

Kelly shook her head. "I don't."

"Well that's good...I think your..." Eddie trailed off once he figured out what he was going to say.

Kelly burst into quiet laughter. "You like MY chest, too?"

Eddie blushed a shade of red he didn't think his face could go with his darker complection. "I...I didnt' say that."

"But you were THINKING it."

Eddie bit his lower lip and didn't deny it.

"I knew it," Kelly said with a smile as she squeezed Eddie's hands.

"I guess there goes me being a gentleman." Eddie laughed nervously.

"Baby...I don't mind...I told you to be yourself," Kelly assured him...then laughed again. "Besides...when were you ever a gentleman?"

"I've been trying to be."

Kelly smiled and kissed Eddie's cheek. "I know."

Eddie giggled a little. "But sometimes that's not ALWAYS the easiest thing to be."

Kelly shrugged. "It's not always easy to be a lady, either."

"You do a really good job thought. I don't think I have really seen you not being a lady."

"Maybe not."

Eddie smirked. "Would be kinda interesting to see." He teased.

Kelly decided to be playful right along with Eddie. "Yeah...well...I suppose I'm definitely not a lady in bed."

"I wouldn't know." Eddie laugehed. "But I'm sure you have your unlady like times when you are in bed."

Kelly laughed and nodded. "I'm sure."

"Guess I will just have to wait and find out...or go and ask somebody." Eddie teased.

Kelly laughed and rolled her eyes. "You have enough sources."

Eddie giggled. "Yeah thats the good part of knowing all the guys you've slept with."

"And you know em ALL."

"They are all very different guys too." Eddie pointed out. "Do you have a type?" He asked curiously.

Kelly shrugged. "Apparently not."

"At least they were all gentlemen. You pick good guys." Eddie said with a smile.

"Yeah...I did. Looks like my streak's not gonna end there, either."

Eddie smiled more. "I'll try to be a gentlemen.”

"You're always a gentleman to me."

“I hope so.” Eddie whispered, looking down at his lap.

Kelly cleared her throat. "If I ask you something that's not very lady like...will you hold it against me?"

Eddie giggled and shook his head. “You can ask me anything.”

Kelly smiled shyly. "Will you take your shirt off?" she asked in a whisper.

Eddie didn’t respond in words just reached to the bottom of his shirt and pulled it up over his head in one quick movement.

Kelly caught her lower lip between her teeth as she took in Eddie's bare chest...one hand reaching out to touch it lightly. "See? I told you it's beautiful."

Eddie shivered feeling Kelly’s hand on his chest. He was beginning to notice that was the reaction when Kelly touched him any place on his body. “Thank you.”

Kelly suddenly let out a quick laugh. "I can't believe I asked you to take your shirt off," she said...covering her mouth with a hand. "I'm so embarrassed."

Eddie took Kelly’s hand away from her mouth and brought it to his own and gave it a gentle kiss. “I don’t mind, Kel. You tell me to be myself so I want you to do the same.”

"Yeah...but...that's like...being SUCH a tease."

Eddie shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t care.”

Kelly tilted her head to the side and studied the expression on Eddie's face for a moment. "You don't, do you?"

“I don’t.” Eddie said again.

Kelly smiled. "Well that's good," she said...then giggled. "But if I TOUCHED it...that would be REALLY bad."

“You already did.” Eddie pointed out with a giggle.

"I did?"

Eddie nodded his head. “Yeah you did right when I first took my shirt off.”

"Oh," Kelly said...her cheeks heating up in a blush. "I didn't realize."

Eddie smiled as he let go of Kelly’s hands so she was free to do what she wanted to with them. “But Like I said I don’t mind.”

Kelly looked down at Eddie's muscular chest. "But...how wrong would it be of me to sit here and feel you up...knowing you're having a hard time with this no sex thing?"

“I think I can handle it.” Eddie smiled, curious to see how well he WOULD do.

Kelly chuckled. "Nah..." she protested gently...even though she was fighting the urge to reach out and touch him.

“You know you wana.” Eddie teased.

Kelly laughed and dropped her head back. "I SO do," she admitted.

“Then do it.”

"No..." Kelly said with another laugh...close to sitting on her hands by that point. "I mean...it's not like I'D let YOU just...touch MY chest for no reason."

Eddie laughed. “Well you have my permission to do it.”

Kelly took a deep breath. "OK...just once," she said with a nervous chuckle...then brought both her hands out to rest on Eddie's chest.

Once again Eddie shivered at the contact but tried to stay calm. “See that wasn’t so painful.” He teased.

"Hardly."

Eddie smiled and looked down at her hands on his well toned chest.

Kelly trailed her fingers down to Eddie's stomach, then stopped to wrap her arms around his waist.

Eddie was a little shocked but let Kelly wrap her arms around his waist. “You okay?”

Kelly just nodded, then leaned in to place a soft kiss on Eddie's chest before resting against him.

Taking deep breath Eddie let Kelly rest on him. His hands going to run through her hair.

"I just...I don't know...wanna be close to you."

“I’m fine with that.” Eddie whispered as he kissed the top of her head.

Kelly pulled back to look at Eddie. "Can we lay down? Watch some TV, or something?"

Eddie nodded his head. “Sure we can do that.”

Kelly nodded, then slowly got up off the bed. "OK. I'm gonna go to the bathroom real quick."

“Okay.” Eddie said with a smile as he grabbed the TV remote off the night stand and then scooted himself down so he was lying down.

Kelly went to the bathroom then washed her hands. After stopping for a moment to rest, she finally made her way back into the bedroom.

Eddie was still flipping channels when Kelly came back into the room. He smiled at her and patted the bed next to him. “Come help me choose what to watch.”

Kelly smiled, then climbed onto the bed to join Eddie. She immediately curled up to his side...resting her head and her hand on his chest. "What's on?"

“Austin Powers.” Eddie laughed when he stopped on the crazy movie.

"Eewww...no. He's gross."

Eddie laughed again. “No he isn’t he’s awesome.”

Kelly buried her face in Eddie's chest so as not to look at the TV. "He makes me sick."

Giggling, Eddie turned the channel. “Oh here we go our favorite person.” He said making a face when he saw Crossroads come onto the screen and Britneys was right there.

Kelly lifted her head to look at the TV, then buried her face again with the groan.

“This is not our night for TV.” Eddie laughed as he flipped the channel again and literally screamed changing it quickly.

Kelly looked up and rested her chin on Eddie's chest. "What?"

“Killer Clowns from Outer space.” Eddie said with a freaked look on his face. Everybody knew he was petrified of clowns.

Kelly burrowed into Eddie's chest again. She was as scared of clowns as he was.

“Okay here we go.” Eddie said with a sigh when he saw a movie that wasn’t going to scare either of them. “Ice Age.”

"That works," Kelly said...turning her head again and resting it down to look at the TV...her hand moving down to rest on Eddie's stomach.

Eddie relaxed back against the pillows to watch the movie. “I’m surprised Lynn hasn’t come in at all since I’ve been here.”

"Me too...she was checking on me every twenty minutes all day."

“I guess she knows you’re safe with me.”

"I'm sure she'll come in to say goodnight."

Eddie nodded his head. “I’m sure she will.” He said lazily as he brought a hand up to scratch his bare chest.

Kelly giggled quietly. "I'm surprised she hasn't come to make sure we're not making out...after the way she caught us in the hospital yesterday morning."

“Maybe she doesn’t care if we do.” Eddie laughed. “She knows there will be no sex since she heard what the doctor said.”

"I could never do it with her in the house, anyway."

Eddie made a face. “Oh me neither. I can’t have sex with parents in the house.”

"No way...not even if they're not my parents."

“Even though she knows for a fact you have slept with her son.” Eddie giggled.

Kelly groaned into Eddie's chest. "That's bad enough."

“She would probably like that better then picturing what he’s doing in bed right now.” Eddie giggled again. “Or well was doing before it was like the early morning.”

Kelly giggled. "You're nasty."

“I’m really glad his parents took him being Bi as well as they did.”

"Yeah...me too. I couldn't see them not, though."

“Yeah if MY parents can be cool with it...then his would have to be.”

"You smell good. You ALWAYS smell good."

Eddie laughed. “I thing YOU smell good.”

Kelly sighed quietly. "This sucks, Ed."

“What?”

"That I want you so bad..." Kelly whispered. "...and I can't have you."

“You can have me.” Eddie said not understanding what Kelly meant.

"You KNOW I can't, baby."

Eddie bit his lower lip when he realized what Kelly meant. “I want you too.” He whispered back. “But we’ll have to wait.”

"I know. I mean...it's just not right, right now, anyway."

“Right.” Eddie said taking a deep breath. “Our minds know that but sometimes our bodies don’t huh.”

"It's not just my body."

“What do you mean?” Eddie asked wanting Kelly to talk with him.

"It's not just my body that wants you.”

Eddie smiled and kissed Kelly’s head. “It’s not just my body either.”

"I just...I totally feel a connection with you...on ALL levels. And...it's strange because just a couple months ago, I never would have thought of you any different than a big brother."

Eddie giggled and nodded his head. “Same here. You were my little sis.”

"So...does THAT make this wrong?"

“No I think it means we know each other well and that we should connect.” Eddie whispered. “It is not wrong what we’re feeling, Kel.”

"I hope not...cuz...I really need something RIGHT to happen, for once."

“I’m going to try my hardest to make everything right for you.”

“I hate that I sound like an ungrateful crybaby...but...”

“WHy do you think you sound like an ungrateful cry baby?” Eddie asked gently.

"Cuz...it seems like I'm always complaining about my life lately."

Eddie smiled. “You aren’t sounding like that...and I have been complaining about my life too.”

"That's OK. I like to listen...and try to help you."

“That’s how I feel about you too.”

"Yeah...but...like...my problems can't really be helped, ya know? So why complain so much? I mean...Christ...I'm starting to get on my OWN nerves."

Eddied giggled a little. "THAT is pretty bad." He teased.

Kelly giggled and lightly smacked Eddie's stomach with her hand that was resting on it. "Fuck you."

"Not for four weeks, you heard what the doctor said." Eddie smirked, having fun messing around with Kelly.

Kelly lifted her head to look at Eddie. "Can you EVER say something NOT perverted? And that's four to SIX weeks, by the way."

"I'm a perverted person, so shoot me." Eddie said with a shrug, a smile on his face.

Kelly smiled back. "As sick as it might sound, I actually LIKE that side of you. It's kinda cute...in a twisted, demented way."

Eddie laughed. "I'm glad you like it, cuz *I* like everything about YOU...so it's good to know you like even my demented and twisted qualities."

Kelly looked at Eddie curiously. "There's gotta be SOMETHING about me you don't like."

"Not that I can think of." Eddie answered honestly. He really couldn't think of anything that he didn't like about Kelly.

"Come on. Something. ANYthing. You've known me for like...years...so there's gotta be something about me that gets on your nerves. Just tell me. I promise I won't be offended."

Eddie shook his head. "I'll have to think about it."

"OK. Get back to me."

"Okay I will." Eddie giggled as he relaxed back even more to watch the movie.

"There's something *I* don't like about YOU," Kelly said as she rested her head back down on Eddie's chest to look at the television.

Eddie turned his head to Kelly with a raised eyebrow. "Okay...shoot."

"That you don't think you're good enough for me," Kelly answered without looking at Eddie. "I mean...you're an amazing man...absolutely amazing...and you have a heart of gold. I hate that you think so little of yourself sometimes."

Eddie opened his mouth but nothing came out. Kelly shocked him to death with what she said. After maybe a minute of silence he finally found words. "You really think that...of me?"

"Yeah," Kelly answered simply...still not lifting her head to look at Eddie.

"Nobody has ever thought that highly of me before." Eddie whispered, emotion filling his voice.

"I doubt that..." Kelly said...her fingertips absently tickling over Eddie's stomach. "...no one just probably ever told you."

"Maybe." Eddie said with a content sigh. His hands moving to play in Kelly's hair. After another good few minutes of just watching the movie and thinking he finally said; "Thank you."

At that point, Kelly moved to rest her chin on Eddie's chest again so she could look at him. "What for?"

"Saying those nice things about me."

Kelly shrugged her shoulders a bit. "It's not like I'm talking out of my ass, Ed. It's all true."

Eddie laughed and gave the top of Kelly's head a gentle kiss. "I know you aren't and it means the world."

Kelly chuckled. "Good."

"I seriously think those rhino’s are supposed to be gay." Eddie said pointing at the TV where Rick and Carle the rhino’s were talking.

Kelly laughed quietly...resting her head back down. "Or...maybe we just analyze too much, now...and EXPECT gayness."

Eddie laughed and shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe, we do live around quite a bit of it."

"Have you heard from Marty?" Kelly asked out of the blue.

"He called my house yesterday after I already went to sleep. Manny told me about it this morning."

"You didn't call him back?"

Eddie shook his head. "I haven't yet, no."

Kelly sighed quietly. "Tell him hi for me...and that I'll call him soon."

Eddie smiled and nodded. "I will, I'm sure he would be happy to hear from you."

"Yeah..."

"Everything will work out okay with you guys. You just need to sit down and talk." Eddie said softly. "You guys are too good of friends to drift apart."

"I hope so."

"I know so."

******@******

It was a little after eleven by the time Lynn made her way down the hall to Kelly's room. She could hear the TV going so she poked her head in the door to see what was going on. A big smile came over her face when she saw Eddie and Kelly fast asleep on the bed. Kelly's head resting on his chest. Taking a deep breath she walked into the room and turned off the TV and then walked to the sleeping pair. "Hey....guys...wake up." She said shaking Eddie.

Eddie's eyes flickered open and he looked up to find Lynn looking down at him. It took him a few seconds to realize what was going on. Groaning he reached up to rub his eyes. "W...what time is it?" He asked still half asleep.

Lynn smiled. "A little after eleven."

Kelly groaned a bit when she felt Eddie moving underneath her, but she didn't move herself. She was too comfortable...and too content.

Knowing he should probably go home since they were obviously both tired and he knew Kelly was probably beat from the move that day. Shaking her lightly he kissed her cheek, not caring that Lynn was in the room. "Kel...I gota get going home, hon."

Kelly groaned again...wrapping her arm a bit tighter around Eddie's torso.

Lynn laughed. "Well, I'm heading to bed. Just lock the door when you leave." She said before walking out of the room.

Eddie laughed too and shook Kelly a little more. "Kel...come on honey I gota get up."

"Nooo..." Kelly whined sleepily...burying her face in Eddie's warm chest.

"Am I sleeping here then?" Eddie asked softly not really minding that idea cuz he was about ready to close his eyes and fall back to sleep anyway.

That prompted Kelly to finally lift her head and look at Eddie through sleepy eyes. "Huh?" she asked as she lifted her hand off him to rub her eyes.

Eddie laughed and yawned. "It's after eleven we must of fallen asleep. I'm tired so I should probably go home."

Kelly nodded her head as she stretched with a long groan.

Eddie gave Kelly a kiss on the forehead before he gently got out from under her and stretched his own arms over his head. "What time should I come back tomorrow?"

Kelly rolled onto her back and looked up at Eddie. "Don't come tomorrow," she said after a second.

"What?" Eddie asked shocked by that answer.

"I want you to take a day for yourself."

Eddie was going to protest about that, but then knew that maybe that was a good idea. "Okay but can I at least call you?"

Kelly smiled. "Of course. And just so you know, it's not that I don't want you here. I just think you need a day to yourself...to do...whatever. I mean...I know your schedule...and I'm sure you haven't had that in a while."

Eddie nodded his head agreement as he pulled his shirt on over his head and then leaned over to put on his shoes. "You're probably right, but I WILL call you. Cuz I wana see how you're doing and stuff." He said as he stood up.

Kelly nodded as she stood up, too...slowly and carefully.

Once Kelly was on her feet, Eddie pulled her in for a gentle hug and kissed her nose. "Get some sleep, baby."

Kelly smiled at Eddie after the hug. "Can you wait a minute...while I use the bathroom...so you can tuck me in?"

Eddie giggled and nodded his head. "Yup, I can do that."

"Thanks...I'll be quick," Kelly said...then headed into the bathroom.

Eddie stretched his arms over his head as he waited for Kelly to come back from the bathroom.

After brushing her teeth and using the bathroom, Kelly came out and walked over to the drawer where Lynn had put some her clothes away. "Just lemme change my shirt real quick," she said with a yawn as she pulled out a tank top.

Nodding, Eddie turned his back to Kelly and yawned himself. He was glad that Justin didn't live far from his apartment*

Yawning again, Kelly slowly unbuttoned her pajama top, slipped it off, and replaced it with the tank top.

Eddie yawned again too and laughed. "Okay yawning is contagious."

Kelly laughed lazily...finally making her way back to the big bed. "I'm sorry...you can go in a minute," she said as she started folding the covers down...since she'd been resting on top of them all day.

Smiling Eddie helped Kelly pull the covers down and then helped her into bed. He knew she could do it herself now but he just wanted to.

Kelly sighed quietly as she settled back against the fluffy pillows. "Thanks."

Eddie covered Kelly up and literally tucked the blankets in around her. Once he was sure he was all nice and comfy he placed another gentle kiss to her lips before pulling back. "Sleep tight, baby."

Kelly pulled a hand out from under the covers to gently grab Eddie's hand as he leaned back up.

"I can't go home and sleep if you have my hand." Eddie teased as he kissed her hand.

Kelly smiled. "One more kiss, please?" she asked almost sheepishly.

"Of course.” Eddie bent down again and placed his lips to Kelly’s once more. This time letting them linger just a little longer before pulling back again.

"No," Kelly couldn't stop herself from saying softly...lifting her head up off the pillow a bit.

Eddie looked down at Kelly, confused. “No, what?”

Still holding his hand, Kelly pulled Eddie down toward her again.

Getting the hint, Eddie smiled before pressing his lips to Kelly’s again. This time keeping them there to let her set the pace.

Kelly moaned softly when Eddie's lips touched hers again...and she immediately started moving hers against his.

Eddie kissed Kelly back letting out a quiet moan of his own. His hands resting on the pillow on either side of her head.

Before she could think about stopping it, Kelly's tongue eased out to gently lick over Eddie's lips as her hands went up to the back of his neck.

Eddie’s mouth opened right away to let Kelly’s tongue into his mouth. His own tongue sneaking out to meet it.

The feel of Eddie's tongue against hers sent a shot of electricity through her body, and she pulled away almost immediately.

Eddie had felt the shock too and pulled back at almost the exact same time. Licking his lips he stood back up. “I...I should probably go...before I get so tired I fall asleep at the wheel.” He said sounding a bit flustered.

Kelly nodded quickly...wiping a hand over her mouth. "Sorry," she whispered.

“Don’t be.” Eddie said with a smile. “I would love to stay here and make out with you if I didn’t think I was going to pass out on ya.” He giggled.

Kelly chuckled. "OK. Go."

Stepping away from the bed, Eddie headed for the door. Once he was there he turned back around and blew Kelly a kiss. “I’ll call you tomorrow, night baby.” He smiled.

"Night," Kelly replied with a smile, then rolled over to go back to sleep.

Eddie watched Kelly for a few more seconds before he walked out of her room and out of the house. Getting in his car he smiled big. It was a huge releif to have what he was feeling for Kelly finally out in the open. Turning the car on he backed out of the driveway and headed home, knowing he would sleep better then he had in days.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

It was about five thirty and Nick had just talked to Justin on the phone asking him to come down to his room. Nervously he light the candles on the small table and checked the room service plates for a millionth time to make sure it was exactly how he wanted it to be. Biting his lower lip he looked around the rest of the room to make sure it was clean enough.

After showering quickly and throwing on some jeans and a t-shirt, Justin left his suite and headed to Nick's room...and knocked on the door a few times.

With one last look around and another deep breath. Nick walked to his door and opened it. Smiling big when he saw Justin he moved out of the way so he could come in. “Hey come on in.”

"Thanks," Justin said...making his way into the room. "Did you get a nap?"

Nick nodded his head as he shoved his hands in his pockets still really nervous for some reason. Sure they had, had dinner together a million times but he wanted this time to be special...to actually be a date. “Yeah sort of.”

Justin chuckled as he turned to look at Nick. "Just sort of?"

“Yeah I had some stuff to do.” Nick giggled as he walked farther into the room, wondering if Justin would notice the nicely set table with candles.

Justin chuckled as he followed Nick into the room, then stopped when he saw the pretty dinner table. "Whoa...what's all this?"

Nick bit his lower lip, much more nervous then he had been just a few seconds ago. “I uh...wanted to give you a nice dinner...but if you don’t like it we can order something else. It’s just steak and potatoes and veggies. No big deal if you want something else.” He rambled, sounding a lot like the young man that had stepped into the hotel room over a month earlier.

Justin looked at Nick and smiled. "No...I don't want anything else. It...sounds great."

Nick smiled and blushed a little. “Okay...well it’s been here for like five minutes, so we might wana eat it before it gets cold.” He said as he headed over to the table bypassing the chair that had a dozen roses sitting on it.

Justin laughed. "OK...sounds good," he said...then went over to the table with Nick. Pulling out the chair his boyfriend had passed, he took in a quick breath when he saw the roses. "Nick..."

Swallowing hard, Nick forced himself to look at Justin. He hadn’t been sure how his boyfriend would take the roses. Part of him almost didn’t do it because he thought maybe it was to ‘girly’. “Y...yeah?”

Justin didn't look up from the beautiful bouquet of flowers. "I..umm...I've never gotten flowers before. Not...like this."

Nick still wasn’t sure how Justin was taking things. “I...I know they are probably too ‘girly’ but...” He trailed off not sure what else to say.

"No...it's not that," Justin said...looking up at Nick. "It just...I don't know. It feels kinda strange to be honest with you."

“You don’t gota keep them if you don’t want to.” Nick said trying to make sure he didn’t sound upset. “I know I shouldn’t have gotten them.”

"No, no. Nick...I like them. It's just...ya know...another new part of this whole...thing...for me."

Nick smiled a little and nodded his head. “I know. I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable. I’m sorry.”

Justin walked over to Nick. "Don't be. I like the flowers, and I'm glad you gave them to me," he said before kissing Nick's lips softly. "Thank you."

“You’re welcome.” Nick said with another smile as he gave Justin’s lips a peck. “Let’s eat...we never did get lunch and I’m starving.” He giggled.

"OK," Justin said...then went to his seat. He set the flowers on the floor beside the table before sitting down.

Nick took the cover off of his dish and then picked up the bottle wine he had sitting on the table. “Would you like some?”

Justin nodded as he uncovered his own food. "Please."

Nick poured Justin a glass of wine and then poured himself one. Once he was sure everything was set he picked up his fork and began to eat. “Did you have a good nap?”

Justin nodded. "Yeah...I needed it. I was tired after today."

“Yeah I was too, but I was too nervous about...this.” Nick said moving his hand to show he meant the dinner. “But I’m hyped up enough so I’ll be fine.”

"Why were you nervous?"

Nick shrugged his shoulders. “I wanted it to be special and for you to like it.”

Justin smiled. "Well...I do. Thank you very much."

Nick smiled back as he chewed on a bite of his steak. “Good I’m glad.” He said once he had swallowed.

"You didn't have to do all this, ya know."

“I wanted to.” Nick said with another smile. “I wanted to do something to finish off a perfect day.”

Justin smiled at Nick after swallowing his bite of food and sipping his wine. "It WAS perfect, wasn't it? I don't think I've seen so many sights in all the times I've been here."

“I had no idea there was THAT much to see. And I have NO idea how we managed to see as much as we did.” Nick laughed as he took a sip of his own wine.

Justin chuckled. "Well we never stopped...for like...eight hours."

“I know poor Lonnie looked like he was going to swat us cuz we never sat down.” Nick laughed again.

"Yeah...he's not big on sight-seeing."

“Well tough luck for him cuz it was fun.” Nick said with a nod of his head as he took a big bite of his mashed potatoes.

Justin laughed. "Yes...it was."

“I even got you in another antique store.” Nick giggled. “Reminded me of the place we looked at in Boston.”

"Yeah...it WAS kinda like that place."

“But this time we didn’t by some big huge piece of furniture.”

Justin chuckled. "No...but that little clock I bought you will go great on the desk."

Nick smiled and nodded. “That clock was just adorable.”

"I'm glad you liked it."

Nick was quiet for the next few minutes as his hungry stomach finally won over his blabbing mouth.

Justin laughed softly into his wine glass as he sipped from it. "Hungry?"

“Yes.” Nick laughed as he picked up his own glass to take a drink.

"Me, to," Justin told Nick as he went back to eating his own meal.

Ten minutes later, Nick was already finished with his food and leaned back in his chair stuffed. “Okay now I’m full.” He laughed as he finished off his wine and poured himself another glass.

Justin laughed. "I think I eat too slow."

“No eat too fast.” Nick laughed. “Take your time.”

Justin laughed again...a sound of contentment...as he went back to his dinner.

Nick continued to sip his wine as he watched Justin eat. He knew he had it bad because he was sure that Justin was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, while he was eating.

When Justin finally finished eating, he set his fork down with a groan. "NOW I'm stuffed," he said as he picked up his wine glass.

Laughing, Nick smiled. “Well, it’s a good thing we ate early and you took a nap cuz then you don’t have to worry about going to bed with your stomach so full.”

"It's VERY full," Justin said...rubbing his stomach a bit. "Dinner was great. Thank you."

Nick smiled again. “You’re very welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

"I did."

“You wana go sit on the couch and talk or something?” Nick asked as he pushed his chair back from the table. “We can bring that with us if you want.” He said pointing to the wine.

Justin nodded...standing up himself. "Sure."

Nick stood up and grabbed the bottle of wine and the glasses and headed over to the couch. Setting the stuff down on the coffee table he filled their glasses.

Justin watched Nick fill the glasses as he dropped onto the couch with a long sigh.

Once he was done, Nick relaxed back against the couch and automatically wrapped an arm around Justin’s shoulder.

Justin sighed again as he leaned into Nick. "It really has been such a nice day."

“It has, I really enjoyed being able to go out with my man.” Nick giggled. “Oh and I guess seeing London was fun too.” He teased.

Justin chuckled. "Yeah...that too."

Nick looked up into Justin’s eyes and smiled. “Thanks for using your day off to come with me.”

Justin laughed quietly. "You make it sound like it took effort, or something."

Nick didn’t respond instead he leaned in a little and pressed his lips to Justin’s. Sure they had been together ALL day but he hadn’t been able to kiss him like he had wanted to so badly until now.

Justin sighed contentedly against Nick's lips as he returned the gentle kiss. "It really was one of the nicest days I've had in a long time," Justin said after the kiss. "Since...Boston."

“At least this time we didn’t freeze our dicks off.” Nick giggled.

Justin laughed as he reached for his wine. "True."

Nick did the same thing. Once he had his glass in his hand he finished off the whole glass in one gulp and put it back down on the table.

Justin laughed...watching Nick. "You drunk."

Nick laughed and rolled his eyes as he sat back against the couch again. “Oh yeah that’s me.”

"I've seen it before."

“Seen what?” Nick asked with a raised eyebrow.

"You bein a drunk," Justin said with a laugh.

“I don’t wana get drunk.” Nick laughed. “You might take advantage of me.”

Justin laughed with a snort. "Riiiight."

“You never know.” Nick giggled. “You were the one that stripped me of my towel the other night after I took my bath. You’re getting frisky.”

Justin laughed a lazy chuckle. "I couldn't resist."

“I didn’t mind too much.” Nick said looking into Justin’s eyes as he laughed. “Like I wouldn’t really mind if you took advantage of me either.” He said softly, knowing he was probably saying too much but he felt like being honest.

"But I wouldn't do that. I'm a pretty nice guy."

Nick smiled and nodded his head, still looking into Justin’s eyes. “I know you wouldn’t...”

Justin kissed Nick's lips softly. "Thanks again...for everything."

“You’re welcome.” Nick said against Justin’s lips before he couldn’t resist to deepen the kiss.

Justin kept up with Nick's deep kiss for a moment before ending it with a quiet laugh...then sipping his wine.

Nick laughed too at what he wasn’t sure of. “Why are you laughing?”

Justin shrugged as he drank some of the wine.

Nick raised his eyebrows as he looked at Justin in question. “Did I do something wrong?”

"No...of course not."

“Okay.” Nick smiled

"Can I have some more wine, please?"

“Now who’s the drunk?” Nick giggled as he got the bottle and poured Justin another glass, pouring himself one too.

"I am not."

“I know.” Nick laughed as he sipped his newly filled glass. “This stuff is just really good.”

"Yeah...it is...and relaxing. I need a little of that every once in a while.

“We all do.” Nick pointed out with a sigh.

"I suppose that's true," Justin said before taking a long sip from his glass.

“Even though I’m still on vacation sort of.” Nick giggled.

"Yes...you are. When do *I* get one?"

“When you come with me to get my stuff?”

Justin nodded. "Probably...but I still don't know when that'll be."

Nick nodded back. “I know and like I said It doesn’t really matter when we do. I’ve got enough stuff with me.” He said looking back at Justin again, for some reason just really wanting to look at him.

Justin nodded...his eyes on Nick's. "OK."

Nick looked into Justin’s eyes for a few more seconds and knew he had that. ‘I really wana make out with you now’ look in his eyes. He desperately wanted to look away before Justin saw it but he couldn’t get himself to look away.

"You alright?" Justin asked quietly.

“Uh huh.” Nick nodded taking a deep breath.

Justin smirked. "You sure?"

Nick nodded again with a smirk on his own face. “Yeah I’m okay.” He said as he let his hand trail up Justin’s thigh pretending nothing was happening as he continued to look into his eyes.

Justin let out a quick laugh before leaning into Nick and kissing his lips.

Nick eagerly kissed Justin back. His hand still staying on Justin’s thigh while the other one went to his shoulder.

Justin's free hand reached up to lightly touch Nick's cheek as he continued the slow, sensual kiss.

Moaning very softly into Justin’s mouth, Nick kept up with the slow kiss as his had on the younger man’s shoulder moved to hold onto the back of his head.

Justin pulled back again with another laugh. "You taste like wine."

“You have a thing with kissing and laughing.” Nick teased. “And you taste like wine too.”

"I laugh cuz you're funny."

“I didn’t think really wanting to kiss you was all that funny.” Nick said with a playful pout.

"It's not THAT...it's just...YOU."

“Is that a good thing...that you think I’m that funny?” Nick asked curiously.

"Of course."

“Okay.” Nick said with a small smile. He then cleared his throat looking back into Justin’s eyes again. “Would I be too blunt to say that I really want to make out with you right now?” He asked softly, blushing no matter how much he wished he wasn’t.

"Yes...that IS pretty blunt."

“Okay, then forget it.” Nick said as he got his wine glass and took a big sip of it.

"Wait, wait...I said it was blunt...but not that I didn't like the idea."

Nick giggled and finished off his wine and put the cup back down on the table. “You like the idea?”

Justin nodded, then sipped his wine as he lightly touched Nick's cheek again with his free hand.

Nick looked into Justin’s eyes and leaned into Justin’s touch. “Okay.” He whispered as he continued to look into Justin’s eyes.

Justin made the move to kiss Nick's lips sweetly yet passionately.

Nick couldn’t help the whimper that escaped his lips as he kissed Justin back with the same amount of passion if not a tad more. His own hands going back to where they had been before. One on his thigh the other on the back of his head.

Justin settled back more comfortably against the couch as he continued kissing Nick...loving the closeness.

Nick moved in even closer so his body was flush against Justin’s as he deepened the kiss a little more. His tongue sneaking out of his mouth to trail teasingly against Justin’s bottom lip, and then his top.

Justin couldn't help but chuckle quietly as he parted his lips for Nick.

“You are seriously going to give me a complex.” Nick giggled too when he heard Justin chuckling. But he didn’t let that stop him. Instead he let his tongue into Justin’s mouth and set out to drive his boyfriend crazy by licking and sucking at each and every spot in his mouth.

Justin groaned deeply into the kiss...immediately returning it with a passion that equaled Nick's.

Nick’s hand started to run over Justin’s head as he scooted in as close as he could go to Justin in the position they were in. He groaned when he realized it wasn’t nearly as close as he wanted to be. He didn’t break the kiss though but continued to kiss his boyfriend erotically.

Justin let out a moan as he broke away to take a breath. "Whoa."

"Y...yeah." Nick nodded as took a few deep breaths of his own, opening his eyes to look into Justin's again.

Justin sipped from the wine glass that was still in his hand, then chuckled quietly. "I can't believe you asked me if we could make out."

Nick bit his lower lip, moving away from Justin a little bit. "I'm sorry...that wasn't polite." He said softly. "I...I just really wanted to."

"I never said it wasn't polite."

"I shouldn't have said something like that though." Nick said looking over at Justin.

Justin sighed quietly. "I don't mind, Nick. I just thought it was kinda funny."

Nick smiled and took a deep breath. He wasn't going to let himself do this again. He was going to understand when Justin was joking. "You're right...it was funny." He giggled.

Justin nodded. "It was."

Nick blushed a little, hiding his face with his hands as he laughed again. "And really pathetic."

Justin chuckled. "No...more like...cute."

Nick peaked his eyes out from between his fingers. "I asked you if we could make out. I should have just done it."

Justin smiled brightly. "That might have worked," he said before taking another sip of his wine.

"I would do it right now if I wasn't scared you would spill red wine all over me." Nick teased as he scooted back close to Justin again. His hand teasingly going to fall high on Justin's thigh.

Justin laughed. "Sorry...the wine stays."

Nick put on a playful pout as he inched his hand inward a little more and rubbed. "You love the wine more then me."

Justin smirked. "No...I just need it right now."

"Why is that?" Nick asked with a raised eyebrow, seeing the smirk on Justin's face.

Justin shrugged. "To relax."

Nick nodded his head. "Yeah...it does do that but I think I've had my fill."

"Once I finish this we'll be even."

"Yeah but you having like four glasses is anything. I probably feel like you do when you had like eight right now." Nick laughed, definitely feeling the buzz. "A bar tender who can't hold his drink something is wrong with that."

"At least you won't drink on the job."

"Of course not." Nick smiled. "That would get my ass fired even though I personally know the owner of the restaurant."

Justin laughed. "You more than KNOW him."

"Hmmm yeah...I'm datin him and was making out with him a few minutes ago and I plan to do it again." Nick smirked.

Justin smirked, then gulped down the rest of his wine. "Maybe he doesn't want to again," he said...getting up and going to sit on the bed.

"Oh...what does he want to do?" Nick asked with a raised eyebrow as he watched Justin move to the bed.

Justin shrugged...then moved back to sit against the pillows.

Nick didn't move from the couch as he watched Justin settle back against the bed. "Why did you move?"

"More comfy," Justin answered simply.

"Ahh...I see." Nick answered back.

"Is that OK?"

Nick giggled and nodded his head. "No, Justin you are not allowed to sit on my bed." He said in a teasing tone.

"I'm payin for it," Justin teased with a laugh.

"True." Nick giggled again. "You pay for everything."

"I don't look at it like that."

Nick smiled and nodded his head as he got up off the couch and finally went to sit next to Justin on the bed. "I try not to, too."

"Good."

"I'm still glad you invited me to come with you on this trip. I've had a really good time." Nick said as he rested his head on Justin's shoulder.

Justin took a long, deep breath. "It's been interesting."

Nick sighed as he moved his head so he could look up at Justin. "It hasn't been all bad. I mean today we had fun."

Justin nodded with a smile. "It definitely has."

"Thank you again for using your day off to come sight seeing with me." Nick smiled.

"You don't have to thank me. How many times do I have to tell you that I wanted to?"

Nick shrugged his shoulders. "I know you wanted to. I just thought I would thank you again...but I won't anymore." He said with a sigh but then shook it off. Instead of getting himself into a 'I'm sorry I promise not to do it again' mood he got himself into a frisky mood and climbed onto Justin's lap so he was looking into his eyes. "Boo."

Justin laughed. "You're an ass."

Nick pouted playfully. "That wasn't exactly the reaction I was hoping for."

"What WERE you hoping for?"

"I don't know just not that." Nick giggled. "I'm not an ass even though you might like my ass."

"Don't flattered yourself," Justin teased.

Nick raised an eyebrow. "Hey you've said you do."

"YOU like your ass. It's like...your major G-spot."

"No personally I think my ass his huge and ugly." Nick said with a shrug. "Just cuz it turns me on when you touch it doesn't really mean I like my ass."

"Don't say that," Justin said a bit firmly.

"What?" Nick asked confused, not really realizing what he had said.

"That your ass is huge and ugly...cuz it's not."

Nick smiled a little. "I'm glad you think so."

"I KNOW so."

"Okay." Nick said as he continued to straddle Justin's lap. His hands resting on Justin's shoulders, looking into his eyes.

"You OK?" Justin asked as he settled his hands on Nick's hips.

Nick nodded his head. "Sure, why wouldn't I be okay?"

Justin shrugged. "Just asking."

"Are YOU okay? Do you want me to move?"

Justin shook his head. "No...this is fine."

"You seem kind of distant. What are you thinking about?" Nick asked curiously.

"Nothing specific. Same old shit, I guess. But...I'm alright...don't worry about it."

Nick nodded his head as he leaned in to give Justin a soft kiss on the nose. "I wish I could tell you to forget about all the other shit tonight so you could have time to just relax and stuff, but I know that is impossible and not right really."

Justin nodded. "I know. I mean...I wanna try and relax...but some stuff I just shouldn't be putting out of my head. And...well...I really don't WANT to put it out of my head."

Nick nodded his head as he moved off of Justin to sit next to him instead. He just didn't feel like it was right to be trying to start something when Justin was still feeling so shitty. Sighing he smiled. "What do you wana do now?"

Justin looked at Nick questioningly...wondering why he'd moved away from him. "Well...I THOUGHT you had the right idea..."

Nick raised an eyebrow in question. "I don't remember suggesting anything." He said showing off that he really was truly blonde

Justin rolled his eyes. "Oh Lord."

"What?" Nick asked with wide eyes, feeling like there as a joke and he was NOT getting it.

"Why'd you sit on my lap?"

"I....umm...cuz I wanted to?"

"Yeah...but why?"

"Cuz I wanted to make out with you." Nick smirked, even though he was blushing like crazy.

Justin widened his eyes. "Exactly."

Nick thought about that for a second before he finally got what Justin was saying and the blush got even bigger. "Ohh...you wana make out too."

Justin rolled his eyes again, and sighed dramatically as he moved to lay down on the bed...folding his hands under his head and closing his eyes. "Well...I'ma take a nap while you figure this out."

"Hey...no sleeping...That is why I sent you to take a nap!" Nick laughed as he climbed back to straddle Justin, swatting his chest playfully. "Wake up."

Justin laughed and opened his eyes. "Well jeez...I need to do SOMETHING while your brain wakes up."

Nick blushed a little and giggled. "So I'm dense...so shoot me."

Justin chuckled. "Nah..."

"Yeah I guess I'm of some use to you...and shooting me would take that way."

Justin shrugged. "I could find someone else who'd want me," he teased.

Nick pouted. "Hey now!"

"Hey...YOU said it!"

"Yeah but you weren't supposed to agree with me." Nick giggled.

"I'm a very agreeable person."

Nick thought about that for a second. "Okay good point." He laughed as his hands started to move up under Justin's shirt unintentionally.

Justin chuckled quietly. "Just take it off."

Nick was just about to ask 'what' when he realized what he was doing. Giggling he inched the shirt up a little more and then waited until Justin sat up a little more so he could get it off. "God...you have the most amazing chest and stomach." He whispered as he took Justin's perfectly shaped body in. Sure he had seen it many times before but it still amazed him.

Justin chuckled as he moved to help Nick get his shirt off. "So you've said."

"Sorry if I sound like a broken record, Its just how I feel." Nick said as he continued to look Justin's upper body up and down. His fingers really wanted to touch but he knew how ticklish his boyfriend was.

"Don't apologize..." Justin said...his eyes on Nick's as they took him in. "...it makes me feel good when you say nice things about me."

"People are always saying nice things about how you look..." Nick whispered as he finally let his eyes meet Justin's again.

Justin shrugged. "Doesn't mean the same coming from everyone, though."

"I love you." Nick said softly with a smile. He wasn't really sure why but sometimes he just had to say it.

Justin smiled back. "Yeah...I know."

Even though he knew he couldn't compare to Justin, Nick reached down to the hem of his own shirt and pulled it up over his head.

Justin immediately reached his hands out and trailed them down Nick's broad chest.

Nick's whole body shivered when Justin's fingers moved over his chest. It didn't necessarily tickle, but felt kinda funny, in a good sort of way.

Justin laughed ad Nick's reaction...settling his hands low on the older man's sides. "You OK?"

"Yup, I'm good." Nick smiled as he simply rested his hands on Justin's stomach.

"Hmmm...wanna kiss me?"

Nick scrunched up is face. "Eww...why in the world would I wana do something like that?" He giggled as he leaned down and pressed a feather like kiss to Justin's lips.

"Because you love me," Justin said before crashing his lips against Nick's in a heated kiss.

Slightly startled by the intense kiss it took Nick a second to fall into it. But once he did he kissed Justin back with the same intensity.

Justin groaned deep in his throat...his hands trailing up Nick's chest and around to the back of his neck.

Nick moved around a little so he was more lying then sitting on top of Justin as his own hands moved to Justin's buzzed hair. Groaning a deep groan of his own he attempted to try and deepen the kiss even more by letting his tongue play against Justin's.

Justin let out a soft whimper as he eased his tongue out against Nick's...spreading his legs for his boyfriend to settle between them.

Feeling Justin's legs spread, He settled between them as his tongue continued to move around against Justin's. The simple kiss was enough to make his body feel like it was on fire.

Justin's tongue played fiercely against Nick's as his fingertips lightly tickled the back of his neck.

Nick's body shivered again when he felt Justin's finger tips tickling the very short hairs on the back of his neck. At that moment he felt like he couldn't get close enough to Justin even though his whole body was pressed against the other man's and his tongue was exploring his mouth and fighting his tongue like crazy.

Justin groan and pulled back. "Can we get naked?" he asked almost desperately. "But...no sex," he added quickly...so Nick was aware of his intentions from the start.

Nick nodded his head to the answer for both those questions as he sat up a little bit.

Justin sighed quietly as Nick sat up over him...trying to catch his breath as he watched him.

Nick scooted back so he was sitting on Justin's legs as his hands moved to the waist band of Justin's jeans. Looking him in the eye the whole time, Nick teasingly unbuttoned the button and unzipped the zipper.

Justin laughed. "Hurry up."

"Why are we in a hurry? Is something happening that I don't know about?" Nick asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh I think you know."

"Lift your hips." Nick ordered gently, wanting to get Justin's pants off of him.

Justin did just that...eager to have his quickly-growing erection freed.

Pulling Justin's boxers down with his jeans, Nick quickly had Justin naked in front of him. He took a second to look over his boyfriends totally naked body. "So beautiful." He whispered.

Justin smiled. "Thanks. Now...your turn."

Nick stood up on the bed and feeling like a nut started to strip slowly in front of Justin. Sure he wanted his pants off just as badly as his boyfriend had but he felt like having a little fun.

Justin laughed softly as he watched Nick. "Please don't fall."

"I would smoosh you." Nick laughed as he got his pants and boxers down to his knees. Thinking it be best to sit down to take them off all the way he sat down on the edge of the bed and took them off.

Justin moaned as he reached out to touch Nick's back. "Hurry," he whispered...his other hand trailing down to lightly tug at his own cock.

Nick turned his head just in time to see Justin's hand on his own cock. "Shit...and you say that I'M horny." He laughed deeply as he moved to lie down on the bed next to Justin. "Want you on top this time."

"What do you mean?" Justin asked...looking over at Nick as he continued stroking himself.

Nick swallowed hard as he watched Justin's hand on his cock. "Last time we got off together...I was on top of you...want you on top of me this time." He tried to explain even though his brain power was going quick from watching his boyfriend jerk off in front of him.

Justin hadn't realized that Nick thought it was going to be the same as last time. "Oh...well...I think THIS feels pretty good," he said...then groaned and bit his lower lip as his hand glided over his cock.

"So you're just going to sit there and jerk off in front of me?" Nick asked with a raised eyebrow.

"You too," Justin got out in a whisper...for some reason thinking it'd be hot as hell to jerk off with his boyfriend.

"Okay." Nick laughed as he took a deep breath before he reached for his own hard cock to stroke it a few times. He glanced over at Justin as he tugged on his own cock and groaned deep in his throat. He never thought that jerking off with somebody could be so damn hot.

"Come close to me," Justin whispered...his eyes on Nick's as he jerked himself at a slow pace.

Nick let go of his own cock for a second so he could scoot so he was sitting shoulder to shoulder, hip to hip with Justin.

Justin shook his head. "Baby, no...sit back on me."

Nick laughed softly as he moved to sit on Justin's legs, not wanting to be in the way of his cock so he could still jerk himself. "Like this?"

"Closer Justin breathed...looking down at Nick's cock...wanting it closer to his own.

Moving again so he was sitting so their cocks were practically touching. Reaching down he grabbed his own cock and felt a jolt of electricity run through his body when his hand touched Justin's.

"Oh fuck," Justin breathed out...closing his eyes and dropping his head back as he stroked himself a bit faster. "Yes...like this."

Nick tried to keep his eyes open the best he could because he really wanted to watch Justin jerking himself. His own hand working on his cock at the same speed as Justin worked on his own.

When Justin lifted his head and opened his eyes again, he reached his other hand down to swat Nick's hand away from his dick and start stroking it...so that he was jerking them both off.

"Damn..." Nick groaned loudly as he watched his cock being stroked by Justin. "So fucking hot..." He whispered as he couldn't hold off the urge to jerk Justin's cock. So he too swatted his hand away and started to jerk him now.

Justin's hips jerked a bit at the feeling of Nick's hand on him. "Oh fuck, Nicky...so fuckin good."

"Shit...yeah...so good." Nick breathed out as he continued to jerk Justin even though the pleasure was beginning to take him over from what Justin's hand was doing.

Justin groaned loudly...his hand moving faster on Nick's large erection. "Damn, Nicky...love you..."

"Love...you too..." Nick gasped when he felt Justin's hand move even faster. He sped up his own hand to try and meet the same pace as Justin's on him. Wanting his boyfriend to feel just as good.

Justin suddenly swatted Nick's hand away from his own cock, and dropped Nick's erection from his hand. "You first..." he ordered breathlessly. "...cum on me."

Far beyond the point of no return, Nick quickly grabbed his own dick again and started to jerk it at a furious pace in desperate need to cum. It took him only thirty more seconds before he was screaming Justin's name at the top of his lungs, forgetting maybe he shouldn't have been so loud as he came long and hard all over Justin's chest, stomach and even cock.

Justin cried out when he felt Nick's warm cum landing on his skin...his body writhing a bit on the bed as he was overwhelmed by the erotic feeling.

Nick tried his hardest to stay upright, knowing it was Justin's tern next. "Y...you're turn." He breathed out huskily.

"Oh fuck," Justin groaned...his shaky right hand reaching for his cock...which he started stroking furiously.

Nick knew if he continued to watch Justin jerk himself that he was going to get hard all over again...but he simply couldn't turn his head away. Instead he kept looking from Justin's face to his had on his cock and back again.

It wasn't long before Justin's whole body started convulsing, and his orgasm exploded...shooting thick wads of cum up at Nick's chest...some going as far as his chin.

Just like Nick expected his own cock was at a semi hard state by the time Justin shot his load on him and damn wasn't that a hot sight. "Damn...baby." He chuckled a little looking down at his messy torso.

Justin could hardly breathe by the time his intense orgasm had ended, and he let his body go limp on the bed.

Nick flopped down finally on top of Justin as he too was still trying to get his breathing back to normal.

"That was...whoa."

Nick chuckled again and nodded his head on Justin's chest where it rested. "Tell me about it....damn I never knew jerking off could be like...that."

"It never HAS been like that...for me."

"Me neither..."

"It was...just..."

"More then jerking off." Nick said as he leaned up to give Justin a light peck on the lips.

"Definitely," Justin agreed...giving Nick a peck of his own.

"Jerking off...with love." Nick giggled at out funny that sounded, even though that is exactly what it was.

Justin laughed quietly. "I guess you could call it that."

Still looking down into Justin's eyes. "Your hand looks beyond hot on your dick." He giggled.

"*I* think my hand looks hot on YOUR dick."

Nick giggled again. "Yeah and it feels really good there too."

Justin laughed. "Good to know."

"Will you take a shower with me?" Nick asked sweetly.

"Hmm...how bout a quick one? I need to call Kelly soon."

Nick nodded his head smiling big. "Okay...sounds good." He said still not making any movement to get off Justin.

Justin laughed. "So...let me up?"

Laughing, Nick got off of Justin. Laughing more when he looked down at how sticky he was.

"Gross," Justin said as he, too got up. "We NEED a shower."

"Exactly why I suggested it." Nick laughed as he got up off the bed, scratching his chest and then looking down at his fingers as they got sticky. "This is why fooling around with a woman would be better...less mess." he joked.

"Fine...go find a woman," Justin said as he got off the bed and headed for the bathroom.

"Oh yeah that's exactly what I want to do." Nick said making a face as he followed Justin to the bathroom. "I love getting all messy with ya."

Justin turned on the shower. "No matter what you say, I'll never believe you'd rather be with a woman," he said as he climbed in. "If a hot little thang like Kelly doesn't do it for you, then NO woman would."

"Yup, I AM definitely gay." Nick laughed as he climbed into the shower behind Justin.

Justin laughed...reaching for the soap to start washing up.

Deciding he might as well actually take a normal shower again, Nick grabbed the shampoo and started to wash his hair as Justin washed his body. He giggled a little when he realized how domestic that really looked.

After he finished soaping up his body, Justin started washing his own barely-there hair. "Kelly had an appointment with her doctor this...well...it's still morning there. She should be home soon."

"Hopefully there is good news for once." Nick said with a sigh as he started to wash his body now.

"Yeah...we'll see."

"I'll wash your back." Nick said as he reached over to start washing off Justin's back.

"Thanks. Has Marty talked to you at all, lately? He really hasn't said much to me in the last few days."

“The only thing he’s really said is ‘Hi’ in the hall.” Nick said as he finished up washing Justin’s back. “It’s almost as if he’s closing himself off again.”

"God...I hope not. I think I'll tell Kel to call him. That might help him out."

“Should we really do that though?” Nick asked. “I mean shouldn’t she want to call him on her own?”

"She does. She's just kinda scared to be the first one to make that move after all that's happened. They BOTH are. But...if she knows he's down, and stuff, she'll wanna call."

Nick nodded his head. “Yeah you could be right. I just wish I knew what was going on now. I mean he seemed like he was doing better.”

Justin nodded. "Maybe I'll talk to him. I just don't want him to bite my head off if I approach him."

“I doubt he would do that.” Nick said as he moved closer to Justin so he could get under the spray to rinse off.

"I don't know...we'll see."

Once he was so close to Justin, Nick couldn’t help but wrap his arms around his boyfriend and press his body close. “It’s worth a shot.” He whispered against the back of his head.

Justin nodded. "Yeah...he's my friend."

“Mine too and I hate to see him look so lost.”

"Yeah...me, too," Justin said as he turned toward the shower handle. "You done?" he asked Nick before turning the water off.

Nick nodded his head as he backed away from Justin so they could get out of the shower. “Yup, all done.”

Justin turned off the water, then climbed out of the shower. He grabbed two towels and handed one to Nick before starting to dry himself off. "Have you talked to Aaron?"

“A few days ago.” Nick said with a sigh.

"And...?" Justin asked...hoping he wasn't being too nosey.

Nick took the towel and started to dry himself off. “He’s getting into bad shit...”

"What kinda shit?" Justin asked with a glance in Nick's direction.

“Drugs...sex.” Nick laughed bitterly. “All he needs is the rock and roll.” He sighed shaking his head. “My grandma said that he and his girlfriend had a pregnancy scare a few weeks ago. He didn’t even tell me.”

"Oh boy," Justin said as he wrapped his towel around his waist. "You know...if you think having you around to keep an eye on him would help..."

“I don’t think me going back would really help things though. Cuz then his home life would be even worse. Cuz my parents would be driving him insane about me.” Nick said as he ran a hand through his wet hair. “I feel like the shittiest big brother in the world and I can’t really do anything about it.”

"That's not what I meant. I meant you should bring HIM to YOU."

Nick’s eyes went wide and a spark of hope went through them. “Really...you would let him come here?”

Justin shrugged. "Well...yeah...but he probably doesn't have to come HERE. I mean...we leave for Spain on Friday for a week, and then we go home. He could join us in LA."

Nick nodded his head in agreement. “Yeah I don’t really want him loose in a foreign country.” He giggled.

Justin smiled. "So you think it might work?"

“I hope so...cuz something needs to be done. My grandparents are scared to death for him. I guess the drug stuff...is bad.” Nick said with another sigh.

"Would you have any control over him if he came, though?" Justin asked as he headed back into the bedroom.

“I don’t know but all I know is its becoming too much for my almost eighty year old grandparents to handle and my parent’s don’t seem to give a shit.”

"Maybe you're the best bet, then," Justin said hopefully as he sat on the edge of the bed.

Nick went to sit next to Justin, really wanting to talk this through with Justin first. “You know that if he’s living with us that you will be around some too. Do you really think you can handle having a drug addicted teenager running through your house. Because, baby this is something we need to figure out together. I won’t do something that you don’t think you can handle.”

"I've handled all kinda of shit on my life, Nick. I mean...you have no idea."

Nick smiled a little and took Justin’s hand. “I know...I mean I really don’t know but I’m sure you have.”

"I'll be fine with it. And besides...all that matters is if it's what you want."

“I just want my little brother to get better.” Nick said softly. “I feel like I’ve let him down over the years.”

"It's not you, Nick. It's your parents."

“I know...and I hate them so much.”

Justin sighed and kissed Nick's cheek. After looking at the clock to see that it was just about eight, he looked back at Nick. It's about eleven at home, and Kelly should be home...so I'ma call her. While I do that, why don't you call Aaron and see what he thinks? Or if he's in school...leave him a message."

“He better be in school.” Nick laughed as he nodded. “But yeah you call Kel...I’ll call him.”

"OK," Justin said...then kissed Nick quickly before reaching for his jeans to get his phone out of the pocket.

End of Chapters Sixty One - Seventy