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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Once at the restaurant Nick spotted Marty getting out of his car, "Mart and Manny are already here." he said with a smile. He missed them; it had been a week or so since he had seen them.

"Are Kelly and Eddie coming?" Lynn asked.

Justin nodded his head. "They should be here shortly if they aren't here already," he said as he got out of the car and headed over to greet Marty and Manny.

"Hey man," Marty said giving Justin a quick friendly hug. "How was your trip?"

"Cold," Justin replied with a chuckle as he shook Manny's hand. "But it was... eventful..."

"Been a while since I've seen you two..." Manny told Justin as he looked at Nick, greeting him as well.

Nick smiled at Manny," We've been around..." he said as they headed into the restaurant.

Lynn laughed, "I want Kelly to get here I'm surrounded by boys." she teased.

"Hot boys," Justin laughed as he told his name to the host and requested a table for seven. Soon they were escorted inside and over to their table.

"I'm a happily married woman," Lynn pointed out. "And twice all of your guys' age, I might add."

Marty laughed, he had always loved Lynn. "Where is Paul...couldn't make it this trip?"

"Good point," Justin agreed.

"Need I remind you Demi and Ashton?" Manny piped up with a laugh before laughing some more at the look on Justin's face. It was priceless.

"Good point," Lynn said with a smile watching her son's eyes go even wider.

Nick giggled as he patted Justin's thigh, forgetting about the public place. "You okay there bab...Justin." he asked his voice trailing off and quickly switching gears when he almost called Justin 'baby' in public.

Justin nodded his head. "Hey... I happen to love my dad... and I don't want a new one thank you very much," he joked with Manny, putting a protective arm around his mother's shoulder. "And I especially don't want it to be someone MY age."

"Who's someone your age?" Kelly asked, walking up to the table, Eddie in tow. She smiled at the guys at the table, exchanging greetings.

"We were just talking about older women dating younger guys." Marty said as Kelly and Eddie approached them. He hadn't seen Kelly in the last week either and he had to admit it was still a little hard seeing her with somebody else...even if HE was with somebody else.

"I always liked older women," Eddie teased, backing away before Kelly could get him.

Kelly playfully narrowed her eyes at Eddie but he was too far from her reach for her to smack him. "And what brought this up?" She asked with a chuckle as Eddie pulled out her chair for her and she sat down in it.

"I mentioned how I wanted you here so I wasn't stuck with a bunch of guys." Lynn laughed.

"Then Justin mentioned how we were all hot guys." Nick added in.

"Then Manny mentioned Demi and Ashton." Marty laughed, wrapping an arm around his boyfriend.

"I see," Kelly said shaking her head keeping back her comment to Lynn about not to worry since she was surrounded by mostly bisexual/gay men.

"And it all went downhill from there," Justin said with an exaggerated sigh.

The waiter walked over to them and handed them all the menus. "So how's everyone been...?" he asked obviously knowing the group of friends.

"I'm good," Marty said with a smile as he opened his menu.

"Just peachy...even though a tad sore," Eddie laughed reaching up to rub his left shoulder that was killing him from all the furniture rearranging Kelly had him doing all day.

Nick didn't know this guy so he didn't say anything.

"Famished," Lynn said with a smile. "What are the specials tonight, Mario?"

Mario smiled at them all before going over the day's specials, briefly explaining each course meal after its name before recommending that day's special.

Justin looked through the menu; he'd practically tasted everything on there. Shrugging he closed the menu and said, "I'll take the special," he said with a smile.

"I'd like the lamb casserole," Kelly piped up.

Manny ordered the same dish he always ordered whenever he went to an Italian restaurant. "Bolognese Stuffed Bell Peppers "

"I'll have the same," Marty said about what Manny said he wanted.

"I'll have the Chicken Fettuccini." Eddie said.

Lynn looked at the menu before deciding to go with the special like Justin had.

Nick sat there not sure what he wanted, he still wasn't really all that hungry.

Justin looked at Nick. "You could get a sandwich or something?" He suggested already having a feeling that Nick might not be hungry. "Or share with me, because... let me tell you... the meals here are usually big."

"You wouldn't mind?" Nick asked feeling really shitty for not being able to enjoy this like Justin probably wanted. It wasn't that he was feeling sick...he just didn't have the biggest appetite right now.

Justin nodded his head. "I don't mind," he said before looking at Mario. "That would be all," he said.

Mario, having over heard said that he'd bring an extra place setting for Nick before asking if they wanted anything to drink with their meals.

Justin, Kelly, Manny all asked for Sprite while Justin ordered club soda for Nick. He heard that usually helped an upset stomach.

Nick smiled sweetly at Justin for thinking of him when ordering his drink.

The rest of the group ordered sprites also except for Lynn who wanted water.

Mario excused himself from the table and went to go tell the chef of the new orders.

Justin joined in with everyone as they started to catch up on what all they'd missed out on, Manny and Marty finally getting their chance to congratulate Justin on his Grammy awards and his performance.

"I think congrats are in order on you two though too." Lynn pointed out with a smile looking at Manny and Marty. The last time they had all been together those two hadn't been official yet.

Marty blushed and shook his head, "Congratulations don't need to be said for that."

Manny just sat there, smiling wide but blushing nonetheless.

"Yeah, how long has it been now?" Justin asked, trying to do the math in his head but he couldn't remember the dates very well at the moment.

"Officially on Grammy night," Marty said with a small smile.

This made Lynn think of something else. "Wait a second speaking of dates...you guys have a special date coming up too." She said looking at Nick and Justin.


"It's not really THAT soon it's on the twenty-fourth." Nick said smiling cutely. "But we already celebrated."

Eddie raised an eyebrow. "Oh..."

Kelly titled her head to the side, looking at the two of them. "Oh... when you guys were in Indiana?"

Justin looked at her and nodded his head. "Yeah," he said just as Nick lifted up his right hand to show the gang the ID bracelet he'd gotten.

"Ohhh," Manny said, reaching over and taking Nick's arm to look at the bracelet. He read the back and got a very confused look on his face, "Snow Angel?"

"Ohhh that's so sweet!" Lynn gushed the only one that really knew about the poem that Nick had written Justin back at Christmas time.

Nick beamed from ear to ear, proud to be showing off his latest gift.

"Nice going man," Eddie said with a smile, knowing Justin REALLY cared for Nick and visa versa. It was obvious with the way Nick was beaming right now.

"It's pretty," Kelly said with a smile giggling at the way Nick was beaming.

"I figured why not celebrate where he and I first met... back in Indiana... and who knows when the next time we'd get to go there... so..." Justin trailed off as their drinks arrived.

Manny playfully sniffled. "But still, that's so sweet... so... what's a 'snow angel?'"

Justin just stuck his tongue out at Manny.

"Inside story," Nick laughed as he sipped his club soda.

"So how is the house coming along?" Lynn asked thinking of a new topic and something that was special in these young peoples lives.

Eddie started coughing as he choked on his drink. HE kept thinking about everything he had been doing today...and then the bed yesterday.

Kelly looked over at Eddie before patting his back. "You okay?" She questioned, looking at his with worry,

"How's the bed?" Justin asked.

"Heavenly," Kelly replied.

Manny looked back and forth having a feeling he'd missed something amusing.

Marty raised an eyebrow, "Why would Justin care about your bed?" he asked Kelly.

"We had to put it together." Nick laughed.

"You mean Justin and I," Eddie teased Nick hoping he wouldn't get sore about it.

Nick rolled his eyes. "I'm gay...I don't do power tools."

"I hear ya," Manny nodded high-fiving Nick causing Justin to roll his eyes.

"Well, he did help sort of…he sorted the boards," Justin said with a smile before looking at Kelly. "Kelly had to IMPORT a SWISS bed... very heavy one at that too."

"Comfort is most important," Kelly replied in defense as she looked over at Lynn for back up.

"Whose comfort," Eddie mumbled reaching up to rub his shoulder again.

Nick laughed when he and Manny high-fived him.

They continued to make small talk and tease each other until dinner arrived. While they were eating the conversation turned down a bit, Justin dividing his attention between his friends and Nick, who seemed to be a lot better since he was happily eating what Justin had put on his plate from his own plate.

"What time do you have to be at the airport in the morning, Justin?" Eddie asked as he wiped his mouth with his napkin.

Justin took a sip of his Sprite before answering Eddie. "At nine," he said. "I need to be in Toronto at five to meet up with the producer."

"So that's like...around one, our time?" Manny asked, doing the math in his head.

Justin nodded his head.

"Who's taking you?" Marty asked as he sipped his drink.

"Lynn and I are." Nick answered actually seeming okay about this.

Kelly looked surprised by that thinking Nick looked rather clam. "Really?" She asked; wonder dripping from her voice as she looked from Nick to Justin to Lynn and back to Nick.

This was news to Justin but he quickly got over the shock before shrugging. "Ye…yeah," he said looking at Nick and then at his mother, "Yup."

Nick giggled, "He didn't know it yet though."

Lynn smiled they had talked about it earlier that day but Nick had admitted that he wasn't sure he could handle it.

"Oh good," Justin said smiling. "For a second there I thought I was losing my marbles." He shook his head and took the last bite of his meal before washing it down with some Sprite.

Kelly laughed at that. "You're too young to be losing it J," she said.

"I never knew you even had marbles." Nick teased playfully.

Just then Marty's phone started to ring and he groaned. "I'll be right back," he said as he moved away from the table and back towards the restrooms where a lounge was.

Manny watched Marty for a few moments; before bringing his attention back to the table. He couldn't help but smile at the cute way Nick and Justin acted with each other.

"Neither did I," Justin said. "I only found out I had them AFTER I lost them... hence why when you met me... I didn't have any," Justin kept a straight face as he nodded his head.

Nick's face scrunched up in confusion. "You lost me too." he laughed not following THAT at all.

Kelly laughed at that. "Maybe Nick's the one that's lost his marbles and Justin's all of a sudden the blonde one," she said with a chuckle, basically saying that Justin and Nick switched personalities.

"Never mind," Justin said shaking his head, quirking an eyebrow at Kelly. "Now YOU lost me," he told her but she just shook her head smiling to herself.

Lynn laughed, "I think we're all getting a little loopy...did somebody spike our sprites?" She teased.

"I sure hope not," Nick laughed. "I would be like dancing on the table by now."

"Well YOU don't have sprite," Marty pointed out.

"He's been drinking mine," Justin said as he pointed to his glass of Sprite besides Nick. I've been drinking the club soda."

"Aw, and the next thing you know they are going to be feeding each other," Manny said with a chuckle.

"Want a bite?" Marty asked holding his fork out Manny, giggling.

Nick laughed rolling his eyes.

"I'm surrounded by gay men." Eddie moaned sounding like he was in pain.

"Justin and I are Bisexual." Marty corrected, happy for the private room they were sitting in so nobody could hear them and they could act like themselves.

"Yah, and you being straight... well, that's your problem, not mine," Manny replied, sticking his tongue out at his brother before taking the forkful of food Marty held out for him. "Thanks."

Justin just chuckled while Kelly leaned into Eddie. "I, for one, am happy that he's straight," she chuckled.

Nick laughed at that, "Yeah it's a good thing for your sake." he said really happy that Kelly found somebody who he knew for a fact wasn't going to turn on her.

Lynn sighed, she couldn't imagine what it would be like to be Kelly and having the last three people she had been with turn out to be anything but straight. She then glanced at Justin and couldn't help but smile. At first she had been a little taken back when he came out to her but she could tell now that her son was happy and she had the spiky haired blonde to thank for that.

Marty leaned back in his chair, "I'm stuffed," he said with a groan.

"I guess that's a no for dessert," Justin said with a smile as he finished off the club soda.

"After that meal," Kelly said with a content sigh. "No more room for food."

"When is your first class tomorrow?" Marty asked Manny; not wanting to keep him out too late since it was already almost eleven.

Eddie chucked, thinking it was cute that somebody was babying his brother. It was still kind of weird for him to see his best friend with his brother, but he could tell they were good for each other.

"Ten," Manny replied. "So don't have to be up until like 8."

At the mention of classes Justin looked over at Manny. "How's school going for you?"

Manny smiled and talked about the classes he was taking for a few minutes. It wasn't until Mario came back to their table that the conversations ceased temporarily as their table was cleared and they declined dessert.

"Well I don't know about you young people but I'm beat. I was out shopping all day and right now a nice bubble bath sounds nice." Lynn laughed.

"Don't worry I'm beat too, a little munchkin had me rearranging furniture all day." Eddie said glancing at Kelly with a playful glare.

"But you wouldn't let ME move around the furniture," Kelly defended herself. "Ooh but a bubble bath does sound nice." She giggled.

"Okay," Justin said as he placed his credit card into the bill book and handed it back to Mario before pulling out a few bills for tips. Once Mario returned with the receipt he gave him his tip before they all got up and headed out back to the parking lot.

"I like bubble baths," Nick laughed as the conversation continued about bubble baths. "Lavender bubbles are the best."

"Bubbles give me jock itch." Marty stated and then looked around when everybody was like 'eww' and Manny slapped him playfully on the shoulder. "What...it's true!"

Justin shook his head. "Have you people ever heard of the term 'Too much information?' Seriously...I don't need that image in my head!"

"Well, you shouldn't even be imagining my boyfriend in your head, so it all fits well," Manny added.

"Well...guys we need to hang out sometime soon." Nick said once they reached the cars. "I've got work some nights but others we'll have to go out." he said not even realizing how he was actually thinking of the positive things about Justin leaving.

Justin opened the passenger door for his mom before walking over to the driver's side. "Yeah, you guys plan all that stuff out," he said just as Kelly walked next to him, since Eddie and her had parked their car beside his.

"Will do," Manny said. "Just let me know your schedule and we'll figure something out, for sure."

Kelly was a little stunned that Nick actually suggested that. "Damn, he's actually acting... normal for once," she mumbled under her breath but Justin who was right beside overheard it. He shot her a curious look and then frowned, remembering what Nick had mentioned the other night. He didn't want to bring anything up, not right now, not after a wonderful day and night.

"Bye guys!" Nick waved as he climbed into the backseat and got buckled in.

"Bye!" Marty called as he and Manny walked to their car and got in, driving out of the parking lot.

"Come on Kel," Eddie said as he opened the passenger door for Kelly.

Lynn smiled as she got into the car, "You are too sweet to your mother," she laughed.

"That's 'cause I'm afraid of what you'd do to me if I didn't use the manners you drilled into me," Justin laughed as he started the car.

"Bye guys, good night and thanks for dinner," Kelly called out to them before getting into the car.

"Do you remember that wooden spoon?" Lynn asked looking in Justin's direction as he drove out of the parking lot.

Justin nodded his head. "Yeah, that evil wooden spoon," he mock glared as he concentrated on the road.

"Ohhh did Justin know the wooden spoon well?" Nick asked, wanting a 'When Justin was little' story.

Lynn laughed and nodded her head. "Oh he sure did, especially between the ages of three and five."

Justin made a face. "Whenever mama wasn't in the kitchen I would try and sneak into the drawer and steal that spoon, hiding it in the backyard," he chuckled. "But she kept getting new ones and I was running out of places to hide the ones I kept stealing."

Lynn laughed, she had forgotten about that. "I wonder it the new owners of that house wonder why they keep digging up wooden spoons."

Nick busted up laughing at that, "That is SO cute," he giggled.

Justin chuckled. "I'm sure they found a lifetime supply of wooden spoons," he said. "They were probably like... 'We hit the jackpot of wooden spoons!'"

"Buried treasure!" Nick called out from the back seat still laughing like a maniac.

Lynn glanced at Justin then at Nick and smiled big. She hadn't seen the young man that happy in ages.

Justin glanced in the rear view mirror, smiling as he saw Nick laughing up a storm. "Too bad they can't more than a few bucks for each of those spoons, though."

"Maybe they just like spoons," Lynn suggested laughing a little herself.

"I feel sorry for the little kids in that house knowing their parents have a million spoons." Nick laughed, not wanting to think about what his parents had used on him rather then spoons.

"Oh, didn't think about that," Justin said. "Poor kids... what a worse house to move into."

The conversation continued on until they got home. Once inside the boys said goodnight to Lynn as she headed up the stairs, leaving them alone.

"Did you have a good time tonight?" Justin asked as he and Nick headed into the living room and plopping down on the couch.

"The best," Nick said with a smile as he flopped down next to Justin.

"And you're feeling better?" Justin asked, reaching out and rubbing Nick's stomach.

Nick nodded, "Yeah I am." he said as he let out a content sigh when Justin rubbed his stomach.

"Good," Justin smiled as he threw his arm over the back of the couch, at the same time around Nick as well.

Nick leaned into Justin, resting his head on his shoulder. "Thanks for taking me to the movies today too...that was a lot of fun."

"Don't need to thank me for that," Justin said bending his head so he could get a better look at Nick's face. He leaned over and pressed a kiss to his temple.

Nick smiled up at Justin, "Okay," he whispered, trying hard not to think about Justin leaving. It wasn't the same kind of sad feeling as before, but now it was just sad in general. He knew everything would be fine, but it was sad to watch the person you love leave even for a little while.

Justin titled his head back to rest it against the back of the couch, his eyes closed. "You can call me... whenever you want. I might not answer now and then depending on if I'm working or sleeping or something but I will get back to you," he said.

"I know," Nick said as his hand wandered to Justin's thigh. He wasn't meaning for it to be a sexual thing though, actually it was more of a subconscious thing anyway. "You can call me too."

"I know," Justin repeated with a chuckle. He thought about Kelly, the way she acted towards the end really bugged him. He never thought she would act like that.

Nick could see the slight frown on his boyfriend's face and wondered what was up. "Baby...what's wrong?"

Justin looked down at Nick and shook his head. "Nothing," he replied.

"Hey...you don't like it when I say nothing and it's not true...I know that isn't true." Nick said poking Justin in the stomach.

Justin chuckled when Nick poked his stomach. "Alright there's something I'm thinking about but nothing I wanna bring up right now..."

Nick's eyebrows scrunched together in confusion but shrugged. "Okay..."

Justin rested his head back again. "Yeah..."

"So you're going to wait a month or more to tell me something that is bothering you?" Nick asked, not really liking this.

"No..." Justin sighed. "I might not even mention it because it's probably nothing or I'm looking too much into things. I don't know... and it's not bothering me, per-say... but something that I'm trying to understand."

"Okay," Nick simply said as he turned his head so it was looking across the room, but still snuggled under Justin's chin.

"You wanna head up to bed?" Justin asked after a few minutes of silence.

"Yeah," Nick said knowing they probably should get to sleep since they had to be at the airport around 7am which meant up way before that.

Justin waited for a few moments before asking, "Are we camping down here and I didn't know about it?" He asked when Nick made no attempt to get up.

Nick laughed and stood up, "Nah...I happen to wana cuddle in our own bed." he said not realizing he was calling Justin's bed their bed now.

Justin took in a deep breath and stood up. He did realize what Nick said and after only a little over two months from when they met... it didn't really feel all that awkward even though deep inside he felt like it should. He followed Nick up the stairs and watched as Nick headed down the hall to his own room to change for bed as Justin walked into his room.

Nick took a few minutes to change into sweats and a t-shirt, then brush his teeth and use the bathroom. Once he was done he fed Benny, and gave him some love before heading down to Justin's room.

By the time Nick came into his room Justin had already changed, opting to sleep in just his wife beater and boxers for the night, brushed his teeth, used the bathroom, and already under the covers. Throwing the sheets back on Nick's side the bed he smiled at Nick.

Nick smiled back as he climbed in next to Justin, covering himself up. He took a deep breath as he wiggled over so he was snuggled up against Justin's side.

Justin turned so that he was resting on his side, facing Nick. "Good night Nick," he said in a soft voice.

"Good night Justin," Nick whispered trying to not get all emotional. This was the last time he would be able to say goodnight face to face for a month or even a little longer. That fact would make anybody feel a little sad.

Justin leaned over and placed a gentle kiss to the tip of Nick's nose before moving his arm to rest on Nick's waist.

'I'm okay...I'm okay...nothing is going to happen...everything is going to be okay.' Nick chanted in his head as he tried to make sure his anxiety wasn't showing on his face.

Justin saw Nick's jaw clench and unclench a few times, rapidly. He frowned even more when Nick took in a deep breath and had his eyes shut tightly. Moving closer to Nick Justin held on tighter.

"I'm okay," Nick said out loud, not exactly sure if he meant to say it out loud.

Justin raised an eyebrow now knowing that Nick was definitely not okay. "I didn't say anything," he whispered.

"I didn't mean to say that either," Nick whispered back.

"But you said it," Justin pointed out. "What are you okay about?"

"You leaving...I'm okay..." Nick said as if trying to reassure himself.

"You will be okay," Justin reassured Nick, not really knowing if Nick would be.

"I gotta be," Nick whispered as he buried his head under Justin's chin...trying to keep from crying.

"You WILL be," Justin said with a sigh, kissing Nick's head.

"Good night Justin," Nick whispered again. As he closed his eyes tightly one tear fell down his cheek and onto Justin's chest.

Justin licked his lips before pulling back from Nick. "Nick..." He trailed off wiping more tears away.

"I'm sorry..."Nick said trying to hide his face from Justin. He knew he shouldn't be doing this. He had been doing so well all day, just now as the time got closer and friends weren't around to keep them distracted everything came rushing down again.

"I know you are... but," Justin was at a loss for words. "You've been away from me before... it wasn't that bad, was it?"

Nick looked up at Justin with a raised eyebrow. "I don't think we should even compare the times." he laughed thinking about how far from good it had been. Especially since at the time all the things with his parents had bee going on. Not to mention the drug addicted brother.

Justin rolled his eyes. "I'm just saying... I mean, you got things to do now. You don't have to just sit at home and do nothing," he said.

"I know that..." Nick said with a nod of his head. "And I'm not asking you to stay here with me and I'm not asking to go with you. But I am sad...isn't it normal to be sad and miss the person you love when they are gone?"

"Yes, it's okay to feel sad," Justin said. "But it's not like I'm going off to war or something that you need to spend a sleepless night over."

Nick laughed at that, "Thank goodness or I would be having a heart attack right now."

Justin smiled when Nick laughed. "Yeah, and we wouldn't really want you having a heart attack."

"Nope," Nick giggled and sighed. "Can I have one last goodnight kiss...well last one for a month...not forever." he laughed.

"Of course," Justin said before lying back on his back. "But you're gonna have to come and get it yourself."

Nick glared playfully at Justin. "Why would I gotta do that?" He said as he moved on top of Justin, but not kissing him yet.

"Because," Justin said licking his lips as he wrapped his arms around Nick's waist. "You asked for the kiss so you gotta come and get it." He looked into Nick's eyes, smiling sweetly.

Nick rolled his eyes playfully, "Oh fine." he grumbled before leaning down and pressing his lips gently and lovingly to Justin's. He didn't want it to start out hard and fast, he wanted to enjoy this.

Justin kissed Nick back at the same pace he'd set, letting Nick take control.

Nick kept the kiss like this for a good minute before he pulled back and let them catch their breaths. Once they did he moved in again and this time the kiss was more intense, his tongue slipping inside of Justin's mouth to seek out every part and put it to memory.

Justin moaned into the kiss, his hands slipping under Nick's t-shirt resting them on the small of his back. First he let Nick's tongue roam his mouth before he slipped his tongue into Nick's wanting to commit everything to memory, the taste, the feel, the little mewling noises that Nick made.

Nick's hands found their way into Justin's hair as he they continued to kiss passionately; both of them making little noises of pleasure.

A few minutes later Justin pulled back, catching his breath, nuzzling his nose with Nick's.

Nick smiled as he looked down into Justin's eyes. "Love you."

"Love you too," Justin said, letting out a content sigh. He didn't mind if Nick stayed on top of him for a while.

"You need a clone," Nick giggled.

Justin made a face. "That would just be totally weird," he said.

"But then that Justin could go to Canada...and you could stay with me." Nick giggled some more.

"True but then what if that Justin wanted to stay with you?" Justin asked. "You're going to have two Justin's fighting over you!"

Nick got a thoughtful look on his face and then smirked playfully. "This is a bad thing..."

Justin playfully smacked Nick's butt. "Yes, it's a bad thing," he said. "One of us would have to die to live in harmony."

Nick shrieked playfully when Justin slapped his butt. "Hey man...my butt...not yours."

Justin squeezed Nick's butt and said, "Too bad, my hands seem to like it there... what are you gonna do about it?"

"I don't know because my butt seems to like your hands there too." Nick giggled and then bit his lower lip, "Or another part of me."

Justin chuckled as he removed his hands from Nick's ass over to the small of his back. "We should get some sleep?"

"Yeah," Nick said even though he didn't move.

"Okay." Justin said watching Nick on top of him.

Nick wasn't tired, even though he knew he should be. He didn't feel like sleeping...even though he knew he should. He just lied there looking down at Justin, wondering when he was going to say something.

Justin wiggled around just a bit before letting himself relax. "Okay, good night Nick," he said.

"Night," Nick whispered as he rested his head down on Justin's chest but he didn't close his eyes. He wouldn't mind staying up all night and just listening to Justin's heartbeat and breathing.

Not that Justin minded Nick sleeping on top of him but Nick wasn't exactly tiny or light. He didn't know how long he could go with Nick there but if it made Nick happy then he wasn't going to say anything. He just wrapped his arms around Nick tighter, took in a deep breath, and closed his eyes.

<><><><><>

A few hours past, it was almost three in the morning. Nick had moved off of Justin and was snuggled to his side when he started to whimper in his sleep, his legs starting to move around a lot more then they had been before.

Justin grimaced when something hit his hipbone and tried to move away from whatever it was but he found that he couldn't move. Finally he opened his eyes and looked to where the commotion was before quickly sitting up and shaking Nick awake, "Nick...Nick," he repeated.

Nick whimpered in his sleep some more but then jerked awake quickly, his eyes shooting open and looked around in a panic.

"Nick, you're okay, just a nightmare," Justin told him as he watched Nick's eyes dart around the room, frightened. "...just a nightmare."

Nick swallowed hard and after a few minutes his eyes slowed down and so did his heart and breathing. He closed his eyes tightly trying to will the images away...this time he could actually remember what he had been dreaming about.

Justin sat there, looking at Nick, worried. He hated to think that he was leaving his boyfriend at a time like this, at a time that Nick seemed to need him. It seemed like the more it got closer to the time he had to leave the more things seem to happen to make him feel guilty about leaving. Justin didn't know what to do.

Nick covered his face with his hands trying to calm himself down. But that didn't really help because the darkness was bringing the images back. Sighing, he moved his face from his hands and glanced at Justin. He hated the worry he saw in his eyes. "Go back to sleep...I'm okay." he said as he sat up and then stood up. "I'm gunna go take a shower."

Justin nodded his head silently before lying back down. He watched Nick head into his bathroom and he listened in when the water started running. He wasn't sleepy anymore.

Once in the shower, Nick slid down the wall and brought his knees to his chest and let himself cry. He didn't want Justin to know how upset he was about the dream, hence why he decided on the shower.

After ten minutes of Nick being in the shower Justin was brought out of his daze when he heard whimpering noises coming from the bathroom; despite the fact that the water was on. At first he wasn't sure if he heard it right but waiting for a few more moments and hearing it he knew he wasn't hearing things. He got up and headed to the bathroom, happy that Nick didn't lock the door. Opening the door he stepped inside and fought the urge to cough at the steam filled room. Walking over to the tub he turned off the water and quickly grabbed a towel to wrap around Nick who was seated with his knees hugged to his chest and his head buried in his arms.

"Go away...you gotta sleep." Nick said through hiccups as he did something very out of character, he tried to wiggle out of Justin's arms. It wasn't that he didn't want to comfort; he just wanted Justin to worry about himself...and not him anymore.

"I can sleep later," Justin said. "Come on, get out of the shower and put some clothes on... please?"

Nick nodded his head as he let Justin help him out of the shower. He dried himself off and put his sweats and t-shirt back on, the whole time not saying anything.

"Wanna tell me what you were dreaming about?" Justin asked a few moments later when they walked back into the bedroom.

"You need to go to sleep...you don't gotta worry about me." Nick said as he climbed back into bed. "I'm okay," he said which was obviously not true.

"Bull shit," Justin said getting slightly irritated with Nick telling him that he was okay and to not worry about him. "I'm gonna worry about you as much as I damn well please... and even if nothing's going on I'm still gonna worry about you. Why? Because I love you and I care about you, and as your boyfriend it's part of my job description. Waking up in the middle of the night and crying in the bathroom with the hot water turned on does not tell me that you're okay."

"But if you worry about me then you're not gunna do your job right and then it will be all my fault!" Nick exclaimed almost screaming as tears fell from his eyes again. He wouldn't be surprised if he hadn't woken Lynn up.

"Me worrying about you is not your fault," Justin said, trying to keep his cool. Losing his temper right now will not solve anything, only make it worse. "If you don't want to talk to me about it then tell me who you want to talk to... I'll call that person for you. Keeping things bottled up inside will not have a good outcome."

Nick was quiet for a second as if making sure he really should talk to Justin. "He was...hurting me." he whispered, looking at the comforter for a second before up at Justin. "William..."

Justin frowned. "That guy from the bathroom?" He questioned. "He was hur...oh." Justin paled.

Seeing Justin pail made Nick wonder if he hadn't made the right choice in talking to him. "Yeah..." he whispered looking down at the comforter again.

Justin didn't know what to say to that to make it better for Nick. He knew that this was something that he had no idea what to do. "I'm sorry," was all he got out. Sure, it wasn't his fault William was an asshole to Nick or just in general. But he was sorry that Nick had to experience that and has to live through his all again in his dreams. "What can I do to help make it better for you?"

"I don't know," Nick answered honestly, looking up at Justin with big blue eyes. "I just gotta face it...and it will get better...I hope."

"And hopefully seeing the psychologist helps," Justin said, frowning. She better be able to help Nick.

Nick nodded, hoping so too. "Baby you really gotta sleep...you gotta be up in like 2 hours."

Justin sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah I know," he said but he made no move to lie down.

Nick thought about something as he turned so he was facing Justin. "Why don't you tell me how you feel about all this?" he suggested. "Maybe we can help each other out?"

"Feel about all of what?" Justin asked looking down at Nick. "How I feel about the nightmares, anxiety and depression?"

Nick shrugged, "Sure."

Justin thought about it for a minute. "It makes me feel sad... angry... sick... makes me want to go and kill all the people that hurt you, to put justice in action. But most of all I feel helpless and clueless."

"You may feel that way, but you are helping me." Nick whispered reaching over to take one of Justin's hands in his.

Justin linked his fingers with Nick's. "It still seems like I'm not doing enough," he said.

"Loving me is enough," Nick whispered. "Not many people have done that before."

Justin wanted to say that 'love can't solve everything' and it wasn't enough but if Nick thought it was then he wasn't going to refute it. "But is that enough, though?"

"There isn't anything else in the world that I would want more then your love." Nick whispered meaning that even though it sounded rather cheesy.

Justin didn't say anything after that. He just leaned down and pressed a kiss to Nick's forehead.

Nick thought of something but was a little scared to ask.

"What are you thinking about?" Justin asked, noticing the way Nick's forehead wrinkled up in thought.

"Nothing," Nick said shaking his head. "Really...nothing."

"Fine," Justin said as he lay down on his back and took in a deep breath.

"If I'm a good boy can I come visit you in Toronto...for like a weekend?" Nick asked looking down at Justin since he was still sitting up.

Justin looked up at Nick before nodding his head. "Sure," he said.

Nick had NOT been expecting that answer. "I think I must have heard wrong...did you just say 'sure'?"

Justin chuckled slightly as he nodded his head. "Yeah... I said, 'sure' as in, yes, you may come a visit for a weekend although," he paused to gather his thoughts. "I was actually gonna come here to visit when I had some free time."

Nick pouted cutely. "I've never been to Canada..."

"It's like... here... except it's in Canada," Justin said keeping a straight face.

Nick couldn't help but laugh, "Yes but it's not here...so therefore it's different."

"We'll see," Justin said.

"Well either way will be fine," Nick said with a small smile, he did want to see Canada but seeing Justin was better.

"Okay," Justin said, stifling a yawn.

"Go to sleep baby," Nick said as he started rubbing Justin's stomach.

"If you sleep too," Justin said placing a hand on top of Nick's that was on his stomach.

Nick honestly didn't think he would be able to but he lied down next to Justin anyway.

Justin lifted his head, and pulled Nick's arm around him so that he would be able to pillow his head on it. Once he got settled in he let out a content sigh.

"G'night," Nick whispered as he went back to rubbing Justin's stomach again hoping to lull him to sleep.

"Night," Justin mumbled, his eyes closed, almost half way to sleep already.

Nick never fell asleep again that night but it was okay because he got to watch Justin sleep and put that image to memory.

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The next morning, Justin woke up when he felt someone shaking him gently. Groaning he turned away from the mean shaking thing not wanting to end his sleep.

Nick giggled, "Justin...baby...honey."

Justin frowned before finally opening his eyes. A few moments of blinking he turned his head the other side and saw Nick looking at him, his eyes having a slighter shade of darkness under them. "What time izzit?"

"5:45am," Nick said knowing he had let Justin sleep fifteen minutes longer then he should have but he knew Justin would be tired.

It took a minute for the time to sink before Justin sat up straight and rubbed at his eyes, hoping that the sleep would go away. "Did I sleep through the alarm or something?" He questioned, still sleepy sounding.

Nick shook his head, "No...I turned it off."

"Oh, Okay," Justin said and then threw the sheets off of him before getting off the bed and padding his way into the bathroom. He went about his usual morning routine before emerging ten minutes later with a towel wrapped around his waist, looking slightly awake.

By this point Nick was already dressed and ready to go. He had taken a shower at five.

"When did you get all ready?" He asked, taking in Nick's appearance. Justin walked over to his dresser, pulling out a pair of boxers, and putting it on. He then went over to this closet and began to get dressed.

"I'm just speedy," Nick laughed.

Justin chuckled. "Okay," he said. When he was finished dressing up he grabbed his keys, cell, and wallet, making sure he had all his important things. He could already smell something wonderful and knew his mom was making them breakfast.

"Did you get your bathroom stuff?" Nick asked not having noticed Justin bring his toiletries out yet.

"I have a traveling kit... a spare..." Justin said. "It's already packed. Let's go down and have some breakfast." He grabbed his luggage before heading out of his room.

"Well aren't you prepared," Nick laughed as he followed Justin out of the room and down to the kitchen where Lynn was making French toast.

Lynn smiled when she saw them walk into the room. "Good morning boys...sleep well?"

"Yeah," Justin mumbled as he grabbed glasses and filled them with orange juice. He then took a seat at the table. "How about you; did you sleep well?" He asked.

"Fine...except I was sure I heard some yelling early this morning..." Lynn said eyeing both Nick and Justin. She had been awake enough to know it wasn't yelling in pleasure but of sadness.

Justin scratched the back of his neck, looking down at his plate before sneaking a glance at Nick. "Just a nightmare," he said in a soft voice.

Nick nodded, not really caring of Lynn knew about it. "Yeah...sorry if I woke you up."

Lynn shook her head, "Nonsense..." it was then she thought she should mention something. "I've decided to stay here for another week..."

Justin looked a bit surprised but nodded his head nonetheless. "Not that I mind, but something going on? Is Paul gonna come?"

Lynn shook her head, "No but he's fine back at home, he's actually learning to cook some things which is just scary...but anyway...I just feel I'm needed here more."

Nick shook his head, not wanting to be the reason Lynn was staying and he knew that was the reason. "You don't need to do that Lynn. I'm going to be fine here by myself. I mean Benny can keep me company." he said with a small smile but it didn't reach his ears.

Justin gave an amused snort before raising his eyebrow over at Nick. "You mean to tell me that you would rather have the company of Benny than my mama?" He questioned with mock shock. "Well, I'll be..." He trailed off, shaking his head.

Nick playfully kicked Justin under the table. "I just don't wish for her to uproot herself just because of Me." he said actually sounding rather 'gay' with the way he said that, using hand motions and all.

Lynn rolled her eyes. "Nonsense Nick...you're part of my family now, I think of you as son. If I'm being too blunt or rude please tell me but I have a feeling if you're having nightmares that cause you to scream out in the middle of the night like that night WHILE Justin is here I'm not to comfortable with leaving you alone."

Justin shot his mom a warm smile as warmth from her words made his heart melt. He then looked over at Nick and nodded his head. "And we're southerners... once you join the family you're in." He chuckled.

Nick didn't say anything but he did have tears pooling up in his eyes. He honestly had never felt so much love until he had met Justin and his family, including his friends even though he still wondered about them.

Lynn saw this and got up and walked around the table so she could pull Nick into her arms. "You're not gunna get rid of me honey, I know this is going to be hard for you and I'm going to try and help as much as I can."

Nick couldn't help it as he started to cry openly, all the love and warmth just making him feel like he could do that.

Justin sat back a bit and watched his mom and his boyfriend interact. He sniffled a bit trying not to get too emotional but failing miserable. Always a sucker for sappy moments he leaned over and wrapped his arms around both Nick and his mom, having Nick between them. He kissed his mom's cheek and the top of Nick's head. "My family is your family."

After a few minutes Nick giggled from where he was sandwiched between Justin and his mom. "Uhh Nicky can't breathe..."

Lynn laughed as she pulled back, "Sorry honey."

"Okay, well," Justin said going back to his breakfast and finishing up. He did have a flight to catch soon, so can't get caught up in mushy moments.

Nick went back to eating his breakfast too but keeping his leg up against Justin's needing to be close to him.

About ten minutes later, everyone was done with their breakfast and Justin grabbed his luggage, heading into the garage to put it in the car. Soon, his mom and Nick joined him. Once everyone was settled in Justin pulled out of the garage and drove towards LAX.

Nick sat in the back seat with his hands underneath him trying to show that he wasn't freaking out as much as he felt. He knew everything would be okay, cuz it helped to know what was wrong with him. But right now that didn't help the anxiety that he felt.

Lynn glanced at the clock and then back at Nick. She could tell he wasn't doing as well as he wanted everybody to think.

Justin was deep in thought trying to not think about the fact that he was leaving for a month or more. And as he was thinking about that he remembered something and groaned. "Make sure you guys go pick up Nick's prescription," he said. He looked in the rearview mirror at Nick and noticed how his boyfriend was a little pale.

"I know," Nick said really wishing he had that prescription and that it would work right about now.

"We'll go pick it up on the way back." Lynn assured Justin.

Justin nodded. He then wondered if Nick took his pills for the depression, not being able to recall during breakfast. Vaguely he suspected that Nick hadn't slept much that night and he sighed. It wasn't long before he was pulling into the airport.

"Justin go ahead and park the car," Lynn said rather then just going to they could drop Justin off. She wanted Nick and Justin to have a few minutes to say goodbye.

"Alright," Justin said as he went to go park the car. Once he parked the car and cut the engine off silence filled the car. He took in a deep breath and turned around in his seat so he could get a look at Nick.

"I'm gunna go head inside there is that little shop that I just adore." Lynn said as she hopped out of the car. "See you guys inside!"

Nick laughed a little sounding uneasy. He hated goodbyes and now he felt like he was going to lose it so it was even worse.

Justin watched his mom get out of the car and head over to the shop before turning his full attention back to Nick. "Hey," he said in a soft voice, keeping in mind he had about fifteen minutes of nothing to do until he had to be at his terminal checking his luggage in.

"Hey," Nick replied in an equally soft voice, looking down at his lap, some how not able to keep Justin's gaze. He knew Justin would be able to tell he hadn't slept last night and that he was having an anxiety attack of sorts and didn't want Justin to feel guilty for leaving.

Justin wondered why this was so hard, it wasn't like he was leaving for good… just for a few weeks and mostly likely he'd come back down to visit or have Nick come up for a weekend or something. Reaching his hand back he resting it on Nick's thigh and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Everything will be okay," he said with a reassuring smile.

Nick finally looked up and nodded, "I know...I'm sorry I'm having a hard time...I can't seem to help it."

Justin unbuckled his seat belt before maneuvering his way into the back seat so that he was sitting next to Nick. "Don't be sorry," he said having the patience to understand that Nick's just being moody without the medications. "I'll call when I get there, okay?"

"Okay," Nick said with a smile as he leaned into Justin resting his head on his shoulder just wanting a little comfort for a second.

Justin wrapped his arms around Nick securely before kissing the top of his head and then chuckling when the blonde spiky hair tickled his nose. "Look up at me?" He asked tilting his head to the side waiting for Nick to look at him.

Nick did what Justin said and looked up at him with a questioning glaze.

Justin bent his head down and placed a soft kiss to Nick's lips, whispering, "Love you," when he pulled back.

"I love you too," Nick said with a smile as he wrapped his arms around Justin and gave him a huge ass hug.

Justin chuckled as he felt the air being squeezed out of his lungs but he didn't mind. At the moment the time caught his attention and he groaned. "I have to get going," he whispered out still being hugged by Nick.

Nick pulled back, "Okay...let's go." he said as he unbuckled his seat belt. "I have to come with you to try and pry your mom away from the shop." he giggled.

Justin laughed as he reached up to the front seat and removed the keys from the ignition before getting out of the car. Going to the trunk he took out his luggage and alarmed the car before handing the keys to Nick. "Alright, let's get my mom," he said as they walked in the direction of the shop.

Once in the airport they found the shop right away and Lynn looked very content in her shopping. "I think this might be difficult." Nick giggled.

Justin walked over to his mom and tugged on her arm. "Ma," he said. "I gotta get checked in and head out to my gate..." He paused to look at Nick before giving his attention back to his mother. "You wanna stay here... or you could come back here when I finish checking in?" He knew that that meant Nick would be shopping with his mother.

"Just let me buy these things then we'll go." Lynn said as she headed for the cash register.

Nick rolled his eyes playfully as he watched Lynn buying little do-dads that he had NO idea what they were used for.

'Women' Justin mouthed out to Nick before rolling his eyes. He waited for his mom to finish up the purchases before they all headed over to the counter and checked Justin's luggage in. Looking at the time Justin stretched a bit knowing it would be best if they all said their good bye's now instead of at the gate.

"Well...you better call us." Lynn said in her best parental voice as she gave Justin a big hug.

"Of course," Justin replied hugging her back. "Don't I always?" He cleared his throat when he pulled back not sure what to do with Nick. He took in a deep breath and went for the casual approach with the hand-shake-half-hug farewell type thing before discreetly kissing the spot by Nick's ear.

That small gesture almost had Nick in tears because he hadn't been expecting it at all. "Bye Justin...you go prove to those movie people that you're a born actor and can do anything you set your mind to." he said with a smile, knowing Justin was nervous about the movie since he hadn't done anything like that since he was younger.

Justin licked his lips and nodded his head. He'd try his best and hopefully the other actors would go easy on him. "Thanks Nick," he said as he adjusted his carry on before taking a step in the direction towards the gates. "I'll talk to you guys later..."

"Bye!" Lynn called,

Nick took a deep breath; "Bye!" he called too hoping he didn't sound as choked up as he felt.

Justin cringed at Nick's 'bye' but waved back anyways and headed over to his gate trying to not stick out too much or get too much attention. It wasn't long before he had to round a corner causing for Nick and Lynn to be out of his sight whenever he turned around. Once he'd reached his gate he let out a deep breath and took a seat, waiting for first class boarding to be called out.

"Let's head out, shall we?" Lynn asked Nick with a smile once Justin disappeared. Her heart went out to Nick at the look that washed over his face.

"Yeah..." Nick said as he followed Lynn back in the direction they came.

"We're going to go pick up your meds?" She asked getting into the passenger seat once they were at the car before reaching back to place her purchases in the back seat.

"Yeah," Nick said again as he got out his own keys and got into the drivers seat. He now had keys to every vehicle that Justin owned, which he was happy for. Not saying much he backed out of the parking spot and headed out of the parking garage.

"So, what are your plans for today?" Lynn asked trying to make conversation in the otherwise silent car ride.

"I don't have any...I don't work until tomorrow night." Nick replied as he headed out into the heavy traffic out side LAX...something he still wasn't totally used to...LA's crazy traffic.

"Do you like it at the restaurant?" Lynn asked trying to grab at anything that could sustain a conversation with Nick.

Nick nodded, "Yeah I do...I really like it there, everybody is really nice. I've only worked one night though, and actually left early." he said then blushed when he remembered why they had left early...a very drunk Justin. Which part of him still wondered what got his boyfriend to begin drinking so much...it wasn't like him.

"Oh," Lynn said and wondered if she needed to know why they left early. She then shrugged off her curiosity, she didn't need to know. "That's good to hear."

Nick thought he might as well ask Lynn about that. He knew she was Justin's mom but also like a best friend at the same time. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, hon," she said with a smile. "Ask away."

Nick bit his lower lip, "Is it normal for Justin to get himself almost fall down drunk?"

Lynn frowned and shook her head. "No," she said thinking. "He isn't a drinker and even if he does he definitely knows his limit. Why do you ask?"

"He kinda did that the other night...I mean he wasn't like really, really bad but he was really tipsy and then came home and drank even more, and that was straight JD shots." Nick said as he got himself on the right freeway that would head them in the direction of home.

This made Lynn frown some more. That was not like her son... the last time she'd witnessed Justin drunk was during his break up with Britney... and that was before he'd locked himself up in his room for days, crying. "Did something happen that night... that upset him or something?"

Nick blushed a little, "Well...one of his best friends...was umm flirting with me."

"Trace?" Lynn almost gasped not expecting Trace to make a move on Nick... and Trace had been in town? She shook her head, that wasn't the main issue at the moment before giving a small laugh. "Justin's a bit protective of his... lovers..."

"No...JC..." Nick said and then laughed at what Lynn said. "And rightly so...just I've never seen him smashed like that before."

Lynn sat there a bit shocked. "JC?" She questioned, "Wow… that would definitely get Justin worked up." She nodded her head. "Huh."

Nick nodded, "Yeah...I just wasn't expecting it and stuff. I'm not sure I really like a drunken Justin that much." he admitted thinking about Justin coming onto him up in his office acting nothing like himself. "Or I should change that to drunken JEALOUS Justin."

Lynn chuckled at that. "I've seen a drunken jealous Justin," she said in thought. That Justin was paranoid and accusatory but she didn't realize that Justin wasn't like that with Nick. "What was he paranoid about or did he accuse you?"

"Well he took me upstairs to 'talk' about what was bugging me and well..." Nick blushed a little. "Ended up wanting to make out with me...he doesn't normally do that, especially in a public place."

"Oh," Lynn said shaking her head and blushed a little. "He must have been drunk-er than I thought."

"I know...I was totally taken back." Nick laughed and then sighed. "I just hope he doesn't continue the drinking thing while he's gone."

"He wouldn't," Lynn said matter of factly. "Not unless something's got him upset or something... which I hope doesn't happen."

Nick seemed to be comforted by that, glad to know that Justin wouldn't do that. He then noticed they were at the exit he needed to take for the doctor's office and pharmacy and got off the freeway.

"I never did ask," Lynn said as they neared the pharmacy. "How did your session go yesterday?"

Nick sighed as he parked. "I have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder cuz of all the shit I went through at home...and then after I left home."

"Oh dear," Lynn said, frowning before getting out of the car and meeting Nick in the front before they headed to the pharmacy together. "I'm sorry to hear that sweetie."

"Well...for me it's just nice to know I'm crazy but at least I know why." Nick laughed as they headed to the door. "I think it help's Justin a little too."

"I think it helps us all who don't know what's going on," Lynn said with a warm smile. "And I wouldn't classify you as crazy... just unfortunate to have to have gone through something so bad to make you have to be diagnosed with this."

"Which reminds me, I'm gunna probably be going through court stuff here within the next few weeks." Nick said with a sigh as they walked inside and he went to wait in line. "My shrink seems to think that my brother is in danger at home so I signed off that she could use that part of information to check into abuse with him. If they do I'm going to try and get custody of him."

Lynn's eyes widened. She'd never realized just how serious things were. "Oh my... if you need anything... don't hesitate to ask."

"Thanks," Nick said with a smile and walked up to the counter when it was his turn. He talked to the pharmacists for a second before they gave him his medicine; he paid for it and then met Lynn back. "Ready..."

"Yes," Lynn replied. "So... these medications... they help you with what exactly?"

"Anxiety attacks," Nick said as they headed out to the car. "I'm just hoping the side effects aren't as bad as they are supposed to be." He said making a face. "It's actually the same medication I'm on now but a MUCH stronger does so its gunna help the depression as well as the anxiety. But with a stronger does more side effects."

Lynn made a face as well. "And just what are these side effects?"

Nick unlocked the door and opened it for Lynn before going around and getting in himself. Once they were settled and backing out he answered her question. "The side effects are pretty much all the fun things that come with taking anti-depressants, Weight gain, upset stomach, sleepiness but sometimes insomnia...sexual side effects...dry mouth."

"Yuck," Lynn said as Nick went through the list. Her heart went out to the blonde and she wondered how anyone could treat their kids the way Nick's parents seemed to have treated him.

"I'll be okay," Nick said ever the optimist. Once they reached the house Nick parked the car in its normal spot in the garage.

Lynn let out a sigh as she unbuckled herself and reached back to get her things before getting out of the car. "I forgot... are you working tonight?" She asked as they headed into the house.

Nick shook his head, "No not tonight...but every night for the rest of the week."

Lynn nodded her head. "So what do you want to do for the rest of the day?" She asked, wondering if Nick had plans or not.

"I was planning on trying to get some sleep," Nick answered truthfully. "I didn't sleep very much last night and hope I might be able to take a small nap at least.

"Of course," Lynn said with a smile. "I'll be somewhere down here if you need me."

"Thanks Lynn...for everything." Nick said as he gave her a small hug before heading upstairs. He was thinking about going into Justin's room but decided not to. He wanted to snuggle with Benny so he went into his room instead.

Lynn watched Nick head up the stairs before shaking her head and heading into her own room to put her purchases away.

<><><><><><>

Manny walked into the living room and flopped down on the couch. He was bored and hated the fact he had already finished his homework and papers for classes. Picking up the phone he dialed Justin's number knowing that Justin had probably left to Toronto already and Nick might be feeling a little sad. Heck, he was feeling a bit sad himself. Marty wasn't around mainly because he was out with his sister who was in town visiting leaving Manny home alone. He listened as the phone rang and hoped that Nick was home at this hour at the night albeit it was only eight but still.

Nick had actually been taking a really long nap, and was still asleep when the phone rang. He sat up quickly though almost knocking Benny to the floor as he answered it. "Hello?"

Manny frowned when he heard the husky, almost gravely voice greet him. "Uh, hi... this is Manny... is this...Nick?" He questioned, not sure.

Nick cleared his throat before answering. "Yeah...hey man...sorry I went down for a nap at like ten and I'm surprised I JUST woke up," he laughed.

Manny chuckled. "Wow, you've been asleep for nearly twelve hours," he said before getting concerned. "Is everything alright?"

"Yeah I'm fine," Nick said with a yawn still attempting to wake up. "Just feeling really out of it," he laughed.

"Oh, okay..." Manny said. "Sorry to wake you up, then... I guess I'll let you get back to sleep."

"No it's okay; I wasn't expecting to sleep that long at all. Hell now I'm not ever going to get to sleep tonight." Nick laughed as he rubbed at his eyes. "What's up with you?"

Manny ran a hand through his hair as he got comfortable on the couch. "Marty's sis is in town... so he's off showing her the sights and stuff... and there's nothing left for me to do so I thought I'd give you a call and see what's up."

Nick laughed, "I see...you only call me when you're totally bored out of your mind." he teased.

"Nah man, that's not how I meant it at all," Manny said even though he could tell Nick was joking. "I did say that we should hang out..."

"What do you have in mind?" Nick questioned.

"I have no idea," Manny said making a face. "I didn't think beyond calling you and seeing what was up."

"Do you wana like come over here and we'll order pizza and watch movies and stuff? Or do you wana go out?" Nick asked even though he was thinking staying in was better...just in case Justin called while he was out. He glanced the clock realize it was eight o'clock at night...Justin should have called by now....shouldn't he?

"I could come over," Manny said as he got up. "I can't stay out late anyways... have a class at noon tomorrow."

"Okay cool, what kind of pizza do you like? I can order it and it will be here soon after you come." Nick said getting up and stretching his tired muscles.

"Any kind of meat as a topping is good for me," Manny said with a shrug. "So..."

"Okay...you know how to get here or do you need directions?" Nick asked, not sure if the younger man knew where Justin's house was.

"I know where it is," Manny said with a smile. "I should be there in like twenty minutes. I'll see you soon, bye."

"Bye," Nick said before he hung up the phone and then turned it back on to call the local pizza place and order a large pepperoni and sausage pizza.

It was exactly twenty minutes later that Manny pulled up Justin's driveway and parked the car before hopping out of and making his way up the front steps. He rang the door bell and waited for someone to open up.

Nick had been attempting to clip Benny's claws when the doorbell rang. Groaning he lifted the cat up in his arms and walked to the door. He smiled when he saw Manny standing there. "Hey man; come on in."

Manny raised his brow as he entered the house. "Hey," he greeted Nick before looking at the big ... cat in his arms.

"Come on in," Nick said and then remembered Benny in his arms. "Oh sorry...I'll go put him back." he said thinking that Manny wasn't big on cats.

Manny shook his head. "Nah, it's cool," he said. "I didn't know you had a cat..." he paused to frown."Does Justin know you have a cat?"

Nick laughed, "Yeah he knows...he just stays in my room when he's home. I'm gunna let him out now though...or well tonight and then ask Justin if it's okay he wanders while he's gone."

"Does he bite?" Manny asked, watching Benny lick at his paws. "

Nick shook his head, "No he's fifteen, and doesn't do much of anything." he laughed. "He's always been the sweetest cat in the world, and now even more so."

Manny reached out and petted Benny's head, chuckling. "Cool," he said before he and Nick headed into the living room.

"The pizza should be here soon," Nick said as he walked into the living room with Manny, Benny following behind.

"That's great... cuz I'm starved," Manny replied with a chuckle. "How's your brother doing by the way?"

"The last I heard he's being released next week." Nick said with a sigh, "But I'm not sure what is going to happen because a police investigation is going to take place to see if there has been abuse at home."

Manny looked over at Nick with shock. "Abuse?" He questioned, not knowing anything about Nick's past. "Why would they think there was abuse?"

"Because my parents are jack asses," Nick said making a face. "Mostly because my dad has done shit to me, so after talking with my shrink they feel they need to investigate if he's safe, or as safe as somebody can be when they end up a heroin addict."

Manny shook his head before turning around in his seat so that he was facing Nick. "Back up a second," he said. "Your dad has done... *stuff* to you like... abused you *abused you*?"

"Not like sexually or anything like that," Nick made sure Manny knew. "He was mostly the verbal abusing type, hit me a few times and then kicked me out when I was barley sixteen."

"Wow," Manny said eyes wide. "And... you're seeing a shrink now"

Nick nodded, "Yeah...well as of yesterday," he laughed.

"Geez," Manny said. "A lot has been going on in your life, huh?"

Nick laughed, not wanting to really get into the whole thing. "You have NO idea." he said. It wasn't that he didn't trust Manny, he just didn't really want to spend their whole time talking about negative things. Just then the door bell rang and he smiled. "Ohh that must be the food." he said as he jumped up and headed to the door.

Manny watched Nick go before he felt something rub up against his leg, startling him a bit. Looking down he saw the cat and heard it purring away.

Nick came back a few minutes later with the pizza in his hand. He brought it into the living room and sat it down. "I'll go get drinks and plates and stuff. What would you like to drink?"

"If you have Coke... I'll take it if not, then just water is fine," Manny said already feeling his mouth water as the smell of the pizza hit his senses.

"Coke it is," Nick said with a smile as he padded into the kitchen and smiled when he saw Lynn baking...something. "You are always in the kitchen," he laughed as he went about getting paper plates and then two cans of coke.

"Got a sweet tooth for something," Lynn smiled. "So I decided to bake... should be down by the time you boys finish up your pizza though."

Nick smiled, "Awesome..." he then thought of something."Oh just so you know Benny is wondering...so if you feel something furry."

Lynn laughed. "Okay, thanks for the heads up," she said as she went back to mixing the batter.

"No problem, "Nick laughed as he headed back into the living room handing a plate, napkin and one of the cokes to Manny."So is there anything in particular you wana watch?"

Manny waved his hand in the air with a shrug. "Anything but sappy movies," he replied opening the pizza box and grabbing himself a slice before doing the same for Nick. He then handed over the plate with a slice of pizza to Nick before taking a bite of his own.

"How can you be gay and NOT like sappy movies?" Nick asked in a mock shocked voice letting his voice go an octave higher then normal for effect.

Manny laughed. "Oh, trust me I like sappy movies... but don't really feel like watching it now without Marty around for me to snuggle up with," he said. "I mean, I doubt you would want me all clingy on you if we watched one tonight anyways, so I'm saving you the drama of trying to dislodge me."

Nick busted up laughing at that and figured that Manny had a point. "I don't really want sappy without Justin either." he said as he got up and opened up the huge ass cabinet that had the DVD's and videos in it. "Umm..."

"Umm," Manny echoed with his mouthful of pizza as he watched Nick throw... Justin's DVD cabinet.

"How about Astronauts Wife," Nick suggested. "Not sappy and Johnny Depp is hot."

"Never seen it," Manny admitted. "And if it's Johnny Depp... then by all means, let's watch it."

"Johnny Depp with spiky blond hair," Nick said wiggling his eyebrows as he poppe the movie in and then came back to the couch grabbing a piece of pizza.

"Oooh," Manny said getting comfortable on the couch.

Nick smiled as he got comfortable on the couch, half way through the movie the phone started to ring. "I'll get it!" he called to Lynn as he reached over and picked up the phone. "Hello?"

"Hey," Justin said with a tired sigh and a lazy smile as he fell back on the bed.

A huge ass smile broke out on Nick's face. "Hey baby...you made it."

"Yeah, I made it a few hours ago but didn't have time to call," Justin said. "I was driven right over to the hotel to where the meeting was gonna be at and let's just say... I just finally got to my room. But anyways... what did you do all day?"

"Slept," Nick laughed. "Literally...I took a nap at like ten this morning and didn't wake up until eight."

"Wow," Justin said as he looked over at the time and did the math. "It's almost nine now, right? And...What are you watching?"

Nick giggled as he glanced at the TV and saw Spencer Armacost or well the alien inside of him fuck his wife hard. "Ohh just Johnny Depp fucking Charlize Theron."

Justin coughed not at all expecting that before he remembered the movie and then rolled his eyes. "I was about to ask… since when do you watch straight porn?" He laughed before shaking his head. "Please tell me you're not watching it with my mom?"

That caused Nick to bust up laughing, "Fuck no...Manny is over watching it with me...except I think he's getting freaked out about the straight sex."

Manny looked over at Nick when he heard his name and gave him a questioning look as to who he was talking on the phone with. Anything to get him to look away from the scene on the TV was a welcome to him right about now. There's was only so much imagining he could do with pretending to the person under Johnny instead of that girl.

Justin laughed. "Oh man, I wish I see the look on his face."

"It's Justin," Nick said when he saw Manny's questioning look. "I'm not too big on it either but Johnny is hot." he said teasing Justin.

"Hey now," Justin said, mock hurt filling his voice. "No replacing me when I'm not around! And say hi to Manny for me?"

Manny nodded his head and gave Nick a smile before indicating whether or not he should go to give them some privacy.

"Justin says hey," Nick said to Manny then stood up. "You watch the movie I'll be back in a few minutes." he said hoping Manny didn't leave before he got back. He then carried the phone upstairs to his room, Benny following behind.

Manny said hi back before going back to the movie, letting out a breath of relief as the scene changed.

Justin heard the noise of the other end lessen. "Where are you now?" He asked, trying to picture just what his boyfriend was doing.

"I'm heading into my room," Nick said as he shut the door once Benny walked through the door. He was surprised the old cat was doing so well on the stairs.

"So, you finally got the sleep that was deprived from you last night?" Justin said, as he stifled a yawn.

"Yeah...and now I'm hyper," Nick laughed and heard Justin yawn. "You're a sleepy boy."

"No, I'm not," Justin said with a chuckle. "I'm just a tired one."

"What's the difference?" Nick asked with a laugh and then laughed some more when Benny climbed on his stomach and chest and was purring against his chest.

"What's so funny?" Justin asked, rolling over onto his stomach and rested his head on his elbows.

"Benny is tickling me with his whiskers." Nick giggled as he tried to move the cat so he was on his lap and not on his neck.

"Oh," Justin chuckled.

Nick bit his lower lip, "Which comes to something I wanted to ask...since you're not gunna be here for a bit...is it okay if I have him wander the house?"

Justin thought about it for a minute. "I guess I don't mind as long as it's not in the studio, the gym, or in my room," he paused, "And definitely not on the furniture."

"Okay...of course not." Nick said with a big smile letting out a sigh of relief he then thought of something. "He is on my bed..." he said thinking about the furniture thing. This wasn't actually his personal bed it was Justin's guest bed.

"Well, it's your room," Justin said with a smile. "And therefore you will be responsible for all the hair that he shreds on your sheets and bed."

Nick laughed, "Thankfully he's a short hair cat, doesn't shed that bad."

"Still, he sheds," Justin said before letting out a sigh. "I miss you."

Nick let out a sigh of his own. "I miss you too baby...Manny is great and all but movie's with him ain't nearly as fun as with you."

"I would hope not," Justin said. "If they were I'd have to kick his ass...Even if he is Eddie's baby brother." He snorted.

Nick laughed, "Nah he's been a good little boy." he said as he stroked Benny's head feeling bad that he had been neglecting him a little over the last few days when Justin had been home. "So what's it like up there? Is your hotel room nice?"

"It's cold up here," Justin said as he looked around his room. "And the room is nice... not much different from the others I've been in."

"Yeah I remember that from when I was touring with you. All the rooms began to look alike," Nick said thinking back to those times. They hadn't been all bad, just full of confusion but that was when their love started...he kind of missed it.

"Try doing it since you're seventeen," Justin replied as he pushed himself up of the bed and over to his luggage which he hadn't unpacked yet. He began ruffling through it for something to change into for bed.

"I kind of did," Nick pointed out, except in his case it had been sleeping on the streets or in random guy's houses after he let them have sex with him.

Justin made a face and took in a deep breath. "Yeah, I guess you... did, sorry," he said feeling bad.

"Don't be," Nick said not feeling Justin had any reason to be sorry. "You'll have to tell me stories about being on the road in a group when you were little sometime."

"Will do," Justin chuckled. "Although... I will honestly say this... I have never seen any of their dicks." That's one question he has been asked about a lot lately, he didn't know why and didn't care to find out but he figured he might as well say it right now in case Nick wanted to know.

Nick was taken back by that, he wasn't thinking like that at all. "Uhh okaaay...good to know." he laughed. He then thought of something, "Even though I find that rather hard to believe."

"But it's the truth," Justin said as he took out a long sleeved t-shirt, clean boxers, and sweats. He walked into the bathroom and placed it on the sinks counter.

Nick laughed, "Okay baby." he didn't really give a shit either way if Justin had or hadn't seen any of NSYNC's dicks. "I just meant a funny story about it...I never was even thinking about dicks...as shocking as that may seem." he said teasing himself.

Justin laughed. "I just said that because people keep asking me about it," he shrugged. "So I figured might as well say it now."

"It seems too weird for me to ask cuz I've liked talked to JC and stuff." he said making a face, "I don't really give a shit about his dick."

"Good to know," Justin said as he stretched his limbs, groaning in the process.

"Baby you sound tired...you should go to bed." Nick said even though he really didn't want to say goodbye yet.

"I was just stretching," Justin said once he finished up. "And I still have to take a shower anyways... so."

"Take a bath and still talk to me," Nick said with a smile.

"A bath, huh?" Justin asked, not really in the mood for one. He just wanted to get a quick shower and crawl under the warm blankets as soon as possible. "Maybe another night..."

"Okay...I was just trying to make it easier on you." Nick said not meaning anything else by it. He then thought of something else. "I started my higher does of meds today."

"Yeah?" Justin asked as he took a seat on the sink in the bathroom. "And how do you feel?"

"Not really any different...which is a good thing in a way." Nick said glad at least he wasn't feeling any odd side effects.

Justin smiled. "Good, good," he said. "I'm sorry to cut this short but I really do have to get to bed soon... we start shooting tomorrow bright and early in the morning. I'll talk to you later okay?"

"It's okay...I still have Manny downstairs," Nick said as he rubbed at his eyes that were threatening to drop tears all of a sudden.

"Okay," Justin said. "You two try and stay out of trouble... but um, good night Nick..."

"I'll try...good night...love you." Nick whispered.

"Love you too," Justin said before he disconnected the call and dialing his mom's cell. He talked to her for a few minutes, just to tell her that he reached Toronto safely and get her take on how things went that day. Soon as he got off the phone he stripped and took his shower before quickly putting on his sleepwear for the night and crawling into bed.

The movie was towards the end when Manny noticed Nick walk back into the living room and flop down besides him. "Hey, things okay?" He asked, seeing the sad look on his face.

"Yeah," Nick assured Manny even though he was sure he didn't look okay. "Sorry I took so long, that was rather rude of me."

Manny waved the apology off. "Don't worry about it," he said with a smile. "I understand. The movie kept me intrigued anyways."

"Yeah it is a very good movie," Nick giggled. "It sucks to think that Johnny Depp has to turn into the bag guy."

"A hot one," Manny shrugged. "So that part can be overlooked and shrugged away."

"Totally," Nick said with a nod as the movie ended. "You gotta get going?" he asked not really wanting to lose his friend because then he knew for a fact he was going to sink into a rather depressed state on his first night without Justin with him.

Manny looked at the time, it was only ten. "Nah," he said. "Don't need to sleep until like one or two... so I'm good for a while. Why, got something you wanna do?"

Nick shook his head, "No..." he said not sure he wanted to mention he didn't really want to be alone.

"Alright..." Manny said as he looked around the room. "Hey, wanna play video games?"

"Sure," Nick said with a smile and then laughed. "I will admit I suck at them."

"Me too," Manny said. "I don't think gay guys are meant to be good at it."

Nick laughed some more, "I think you're right." he said as he walked over to the TV and sat down. "Okay you've got your choice of like a million different game systems and games...you pick."

Manny scratched his head as he saw a few that looked familiar because Eddie had them. "Um, the play station, and whatever game goes with it, you can choose."

It took Nick a second to figure out which games went with the play station. He ended up picking the football game he had played with Justin a few months back. "This is the only game I actually have a tiny, tiny bit of an idea how to play."

"Ugh," Manny said making a horrified face at the game Nick chose. He knew the rules of the game but had no clue about how to play it. "Well, you'd probably do better than me but what the heck, I'll give it a shot."

"I doubt that," Nick laughed as he popped the game into the player. It took a good half an hour for them to realize they just both suck too much to even get this. "Okay...we suck."

"Ya don't say," Manny said before chuckling as he did something with the controller that made his player twirl on the screen.

"Ohh...that was actually really cool how did you do that?" Nick laughed. "I knew they had football players take ballet but that was neat!"

Manny laughed as he showed Nick what he did. "Too bad this isn't SIMS... we could have fun with that."

"I think we have it..." Nick said not exactly sure, "On one of the computers around here."

"Wanna go try that?" Manny asked.

"Yeah," Nick said as he hopped up. "Question is which computer." he laughed.

"How many computers does Justin have, anyways?" Manny said as he turned the game off and quickly followed after Nick.

"I've seen three," Nick stated, "But I think there is more." He tried to remember which computer it was. "I think it's on his laptop…which is in here, unless he took it with him."

"Alright," Manny said as they walked into what looked to be Justin's den or business room. He chuckled at the irony of it.

Nick was happy when he saw Justin hadn't taken the laptop with him and so he booted it up. Once it was he checked to see if the game was indeed on the this computer and it was. "Okay good...pull up a chair." he said pointing at another desk chair.

Manny did as he was told and was soon seated beside Nick, looking at the screen as Nick started up the game.

Nick booted up the game and what he found caused himself to giggle. "Okay when the hell has he had time to do this!" he said seeing that Justin had started a game with characters with his and Justin's name. "Seriously...when did he have time for this?"

Manny laughed as well. "I have no clue," he said before noticing something. "Hey, that's interesting. You guys are in totally different houses and are like talking on the computer..."

Nick raised an eyebrow that was definitely interesting. "Okay...this is a little freaky..."

"Why is it freaky?" Manny asked not knowing that that was how Nick and Justin started talking, through e-mails.

"He did this...like a day after we met!" Nick exclaimed really wondering what the heck was going on. "Why would a guy who thought he was straight be playing SIMS and make one of the characters look a lot like a guy he just met?"

Manny looked over at Nick still not getting what was the big deal. "Um, I don't know... maybe he thought you were cute and decided to just do something?"

"But you don't understand... he didn't start having feelings for me until I was on tour with them...or at least that's what I always thought..." Nick said now totally confused.

"Well, uhh," Manny was at a loss for words now. He had no idea as to what exactly happened with Nick and Justin so he couldn't really comment on that. "There's something you could ask him next time you guys talk or whatever." He wondered if he should ask Nick to see just *what* just did with these SIM characters but thought maybe Nick might not want him to know.

Nick was tempted to start having the SIM guys do their thing but was a little freaked. Could they meet up with each other or did they have to talk online all the time?

Manny looked at Nick and then at the computer screen. He then playfully poked Nick's arms, "Come on, you know you want to," he said.

Nick swallowed hard before he pushed the button and the characters started moving around. For a while it made them look like they were just chatting online but then the little 'Nick' character got out of his seat and went walking a little ways to what he assumed was Justin's house. "This is just weird..."

"Why is it weird?" Manny asked as he watched SIM Nick ring the door bell and SIM Justin checking out his reflection in the mirror before going to answer the door. "I think it's cute."

"It is cute...it's just messing with what I've always thought..." Nick said shaking his head in disbelief.

"And what you always thought was that Justin only started having feelings from you when you toured with him?" Manny asked, although Nick had just told him a few minutes ago. "I mean... if you really think about it... he must have had SOME sort of feelings for you, I mean... a straight guy would not just let a totally random guys he'd met in the middle of nowhere tour with em, ya know?"

Nick thought about that a second, never really thinking about it like that before. "You've got a point. Even so I never would have thought those feelings were deep enough to make him make a SIM of me!"

"Does it have to be?" Manny asked. "I mean... okay, let's think about this... if you met a hot guy but didn't think that person was gay or bi or whatever... and if you could live through a fantasy or something... wouldn't you do something like that... you get what I'm trying to say?" His hands were waving around, showing just how flamboyant he could be.

"Yes but that's because I'm weird like that," Nick giggled. "Justin is a lot more down to earth then that. Hell I was shocked to find out he even had this game when I saw the icon on his laptop a few months ago." he laughed.

"Everybody needs to fantasize or get away from this life now and then," Manny shrugged as he watched as the scene unfolding. "He definitely did spend a lot of time on this. It's interesting and so adorable."

"At least they haven't like had sex yet or something," Nick laughed thinking that would have just drove him over the edge and totally flipped out.

That caused Manny's eyes to widen with interest. "That would be something, alright... but you never know... this still hadn't finished playing out." His legs bounced, he was giddy.

"We haven't even had sex yet," Nick pointed out not thinking that Manny didn't know that.

Manny shrugged before titling his head to the side. The scene changed to a club... Justin was on stage performing and Nick was in the crowd, trying to blend in with all the girls but failing miserably. "That's funny. You stick out like a sore thumb."

Nick playfully stuck his tongue out at Manny. "The scary thing is...this happened." he laughed.

Manny thought about that for a moment. "Maybe he worked on it after you started to tour with him?" He said. "Or maybe whatever he makes up in this game comes true... OoooOooo." he chuckled as he made 'ooing' noises.

"Okay then I really want to see the love making scene," Nick giggled watching the screen intently now.

Manny laughed at that. "Well, there's the kissing the stuff," he said a few minutes later when Justin dropped Nick over at Nick's place. "Aw, a kiss out on the porch isn't that sweet."

"That never happened," Nick giggled. "Our first kiss was on his tour bus. After all this shit went down with me having sex with Kelly." he added.

"Hmm," Manny thought. "Maybe he wanted a different version of the first kiss?"

"Maybe so," Nick said with a nod of his head. "Also this thing doesn't have tour buses."

"And it also doesn't have Kelly..." Manny added.

"Thank goodness," Nick mumbled not realizing how that probably sounded.

Manny looked at Nick, amused. "Don't like her all that much, huh?"

"I did...and I mean I still do..." Nick sighed. "She's just said some things recently that have made me wondering if she really likes ME."

Manny frowned wondering what Kelly could have said. She's such a sweet girl. "What things?"

Nick sighed again, "Just stuff about how she's surprised Justin can put up with me."

"Oh," Manny said not really knowing what to say to that. He's never really been around Nick all that much to know much of anything. "I'm sure she didn't mean anything by it... I think."

Nick shrugged, "It doesn't really matter." he then noticed the characters were both in their own beds going to sleep and laughed. "That's how I feel right now...my man in a different bed without me."

Manny was a bit skeptical when Nick said it didn't matter. He could tell that it mattered and bothered Nick, probably even hurt him. Sighing, he looked back at the screen. "But you could be in his bed surrounded by everything that's him."

"I probably will," Nick said with a smile. "I might even get one of his t-shirts and wear it...be a total girl."

Manny laughed at that. "That's the way to do it," he said. "Shh, don't tell anyone this, especially Marty... I took one of his favorite t-shirts when he wasn't looking and wear it when I miss him the most."

Nick smiled, happy to have met a guy who actually seemed to understand him. "I think even if he knew he would think it was really sweet. I can see him then asking you for a shirt so he could do the same."

"Probably," Manny said, "but its kinda fun watching him look around for his shirt and get this totally adorably confused look on his face when he can't find it."

"Ohh is it that green one?" Nick asked giggling he knew how much Marty liked his green shirt.

"Yeah, it's the one with the white strip going down the arms?" Marty said, giggling.

"Oh man he loves that shirt," Nick giggled. "Good one to pick."

"I know," Manny said. "It's my favorite one too... it's so soft and feels so good," he chuckled and stopped laughing for a minute as he stared at the screen. "Um, Nick... did Justin ever take one of your shirts or did you ever not find one of your shirts?"

Nick shook his head, "No...Not that I can think of." he said thinking about that.

"Oh okay," Manny said with a smile. "Then that shirt that SIM Justin just took out from under the pillow would be a spare shirt he just keeps there, right?"

Nick turned to look at the screen and his mouth dropped open. "Okay this is seriously making me feel funny now." he laughed. "I feel like I'm reading Justin's diary."

Manny laughed. "Does Justin even keep a diary?"

"I don't think so," Nick laughed.

"I say you go look through your wardrobe for any missing shirts," Manny chuckled. "And then you'll have your answer."

"I'm going to have to do that," Nick laughed shaking his head still all baffled by all this.

Manny looked over at Nick. "You two have got to be the cutest couple in the world," he said. "Of course that's second compared to Marty and I," he chuckled. "But still..."

Nick rolled his eyes, "I don't know about that...but thanks." he said actually agreeing with Manny but not wanting to admit it.

"I wonder what else SIM Justin does," Manny wondered out loud.

"I'm almost scared to know," Nick said as he watched Justin in bed, sleeping.

Manny tried to put himself in Nick's shoes and see things through his eyes but came to the conclusion that he wouldn't be scared to know what to would happen next but rather eager and giddy and can't wait for what may come. The scene changed so that it was morning now and SIM Justin was packing his things, obviously to head back out on tour or something. "Hmm," Manny said, frowning. He saw SIM Nick walk into the room, sad and looking just about ready to cry.

"He sure got my emotions down right," Nick stated noticing that Nick was sad about Justin leaving. "I feel like I'm watching my own life on TV."

"Close enough," Manny said. "You're watching it on a laptop screen." He sniffled when SIM Justin hugged a devastated SIM Nick before getting into the car that would take him away. They could see SIM Nick's heart breaking but what stood out more what SIM Justin's heart breaking as well.

This didn't shock Nick too much he knew Justin was upset about leaving him too. Like when Justin said he missed him tonight he knew he was telling the truth. "Poor SIM me...I know how you feel."

Manny frowned when SIM Justin was seen in Boston, alone and sad even when he was surrounded by his SIM friends and other random SIM people, and that's where the game stopped. "Oh well now we know when he did this," he said in a soft voice.

"That's what I figured," Nick laughed. "He didn't have time to play it anymore cuz real Nick was with real Justin."

"IS that when you guys really hooked up, in Boston?" Manny asked trying to remember everything Marty and Eddie had told him. He thought it was when Nick was over Justin's place in Memphis or just a little bit before that when the whole Kelly thing went down.

"Well we didn't actually officially get together until Christmas eve." Nick said. "But we were kissing and stuff before that point."

"Did you guys start that in Boston or something?" Manny asked, being full of questions as his curiosity was piqued.

Nick shook his head, "No...That didn't start until after that. I don't actually remember the city we were in"

"Hmm, I wonder why Justin stopped at that part, then," Manny said looking back at the screen. "Okay... maybe it's that he didn't have time to... but darn... I wanna see how this ends." He laughed.

"Leave a guy with a cliffhanger, geez!"

"You know how it ends...look where we are now." Nick giggled. "It's still hard for me to believe that just the very beginning of December I was working in a bar in Indianapolis and now look at me."

Manny shook his head. "But that's not how Justin played this whole thing out in SIM world," he said. "I wanna know how HE would have ended the story. I know where the real Nick and real Justin are right now in their relationship or whatever... but SIM Nick and SIM Justin are a whole other ball game entirely."

Nick pouted playfully. "Real Nick and real Justin are a lot better then SIM Nick and SIM Justin."

"Eh, sure," Manny said with a chuckle. "Well, this was entertaining."

"Yeah it was," Nick giggled then pouted, "Made me miss Justin though."

"Aww," Manny said reaching over and patting Nick's arm. "Sorry but hey... you'll be with him soon enough."

Nick snorted, "A month or maybe six weeks isn't all that soon."

"True but better than a whole year or something as preposterous as that," Manny said. "Just look at the brighter side of things."

Nick sighed, "I know..." he then gave Manny a small smile."Sorry...I didn't mean to get all blah on you."

"It's okay," Manny said with a small smile. "I'd probably be the same way If I were in your shoes... and would probably even be that was with Marty if and when Justin goes on tour or something like that."

"Then we'll just have a lot of pity parties." Nick laughed.

"Yup... keep each other company," Manny agreed as he looked at the time and groaned. "I should head back home..."

"I'll walk you to the door," Nick said even though he didn't want to see the younger man go. He may have made him think of Justin, but it was a lot better then just sitting around and doing nothing.

"Thanks," Manny said getting up. "We should do this on a weekend... when you're not working or whatever."

"Yeah that would be nice," Nick said with a smile as he got up and walked Manny out of the room and then towards the door.

Just before they got the door Lynn walked out and smiled at the boys. "I'm gonna head on home, Lynn," Manny told her. "Thank you for the cookies."

"Good night Manny, I'm glad you liked them." Lynn said as Manny headed out onto the front porch.

"Bye Manny we'll talk again soon and plan when to meet up next," Nick said as he waved at Manny before he got in his car and backed out of the driveway.

Manny waved at the two of them before heading home.

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Lynn looked at Nick as soon as the front door closed. "Did you two have fun tonight?"

Nick nodded his head, "Yeah we did...I'm glad Manny could come over." He then thought of something. "Oh Justin called...did he call you?"

Lynn nodded her head. "Yeah, about a few minutes ago or something... while you and Manny were watching TV."

"Good," Nick said with a small smile as he headed into the living room to clean up the mess they made. "I hung up the phone and totally forgot to see if you wanted to talk to him."

"That's fine sweetie," Lynn said following Nick and helping to clean up.

"You don't have to help me," Nick chuckled. "I made the mess."

"It's a mother thing," Lynn said. "I'm used to it."

"Yeah...I remember when my mom used to do stuff like this for me too." Nick said with a bittersweet smile on his face. "I miss it."

Lynn put down the napkin she was picking up and pulled Nick into a motherly hug.

Nick hadn't been expecting that so he tensed up a little at first but soon he was hugging Lynn back, thankful to have somebody to hold him. He tried to keep himself from crying though...he didn't need to cry.

"I don't want to sound harsh or anything along those lines," Lynn said pulling back just a little so that she could look at Nick's face. "But don't think about the past or at least the bad things about it...things are different now and hopefully for the better."

"I know that...and definitely for the better." Nick said with a small smile. "I'm very thankful you and your son came into my life." He then made a face, "Now I just pray that I can get my brother out of it, before he ends up in the hospital again." Yes, he knew the drug addiction wasn't something his parents had made him do, but if his home life had been stable it had a much less chance of happening.

"Things will work out, I'm sure," Lynn said with a sigh. "I would love to meet him."

Nick thought for a second, "I'm gunna try and see if I can go in and see him tomorrow. Would you come with me?"

"Of course," Lynn said before frowning. "But aren't you… like forbidden from there?"

"Yeah...but I'm gunna try." Nick said with a sigh, really hating now that he had done what he did. He just couldn't help it and it's not like his father hadn't done things a million times worse.

"Alrighty honey," Lynn said. "What time are you planning on going there?"

"Noonish?" Nick stated as a question wondering if that was a good time for her.

"That's fine," Lynn smiled. "Let's finish up cleaning." She let go of Nick and went back to picking up the pizza box and other things.

"Crazy to think that there were only two of us in here making this mess," Nick laughed as he brushed crumbs into his hand from the coffee table.

"Two big boys," Lynn said with a chuckle before walking away to the kitchen to throw the things she'd picked up. "And Manny's still acting like he's a bottomless pit."

"He's still a teenager," Nick pointed out as he carried some things into the kitchen too.

"Yeah I know," Lynn said as Nick walked into the kitchen. "I never thought I would go through with having to stock the fridge everyday with food, again... at least not since Justin's passed that age. It's a nice welcome..."

"I'm going to have to do that if Aaron comes to stay too." Nick said and then thought about something. He had never really ASKED Justin about taking custody of Aaron. Sure, it was his decision because it was his brother, but this was where he lived and where Aaron would live too. What if Justin didn't want a teenager around the house?

"You're going to have your hands full," Lynn chuckled.

"Yeah it'll be especially hard since he'll be harder to take care of then a normal teenager. The last I heard his hearing and eyesight isn't what it should be. Something to do with the lack of blood to his brain." he said with a sigh. "I still wish I had gotten to him faster before THAT happened...but I'm going to make sure he doesn't go back to that."

"It's a lot of work and ... you know you don't have to go through it all alone," Lynn pointed out.

"I'm still not even sure if it's going to happen." Nick pointed out. "My parents obviously want to take him home, so there will be a fight."

"Well, you said there's going to be an investigation," Lynn said looking at Nick. "And obviously your shrink thinks there's something to look into so... I'm pretty sure the favors in your side... it has to be."

"Yeah I just hope that cuz of the issues I have...wouldn't make it so he goes into foster care instead of with me." Nick said happy to be voicing the fears he was having.

"Aaron's old enough to make his own decisions of who he wants to be with, isn't he?" Lynn questioned. "And I'm sure it will look good in court when they see that you've got your life back in track and everything going well now."

That brought Nick to another issue that he wasn't sure how to deal with. "Doing this...might make it easier for people to figure out about Justin and I..."

"The court case?" Lynn asked.

Nick nodded, "I'm going to have to prove where I'm living...and where most of my money is coming from, because as of right now without Justin's help financially I wouldn't be able to take care of both Aaron and myself."

Lynn thought about that for a few moments. "We could always say that he's doing a friend a favor?" Although she didn't condone lying but she also knew that her son wasn't ready for something like this. "Besides... I'm sure Justin isn't the one that's going to be in the trial...Unless it's to testify on your behalf."

"I know...it's just that Justin is scared to even have me be around him out in public, what is going to happen when people find out I'm living with him!" Nick exclaimed as he flopped down at the kitchen table with a groan.

Lynn didn't say anything for a few minutes. "Same thing they thought when Kelly was living with him or when Trace comes over and stays for a while or when one of his guys comes over... Don't think too much into it. I'm sure Justin could handle that part of the situation if and when it comes down to it."

Nick sighed, really hoping so. He just wished this stuff wasn't even happening. It seemed like Justin and he were doing so well right now and he didn't want to bring something else in that could possibly screw with their relationship.

Lynn reached over and started to massage Nick's shoulders. He is so young and having to go through so much, it was sad and heart breaking. And she prayed Justin would do the right thing when it came down to things and that Justin could handle it.

"Thank you," Nick said after a minute of Lynn massaging his shoulders. "We've only been here alone for a day and you've already helped me so much."

"And I told you..." Lynn said. "You're part of the family and we do things for each other."

"Then I should look after you too," Nick giggled as he glanced at his watch. "It's almost one in the morning...you should go to sleep."

Lynn laughed as she playfully ruffled Nick's hair. "I'm still older than you sweetie," she said. "And am not in nursing home yet... besides, you should head on to bed too."

"I slept from ten this morning until eight tonight. I'm far from tired." Nick laughed as he attempted to get his hair back to some kind of normal.

"You know," Lynn said leaning against the table. "I was never able to ruffle Justin's hair..."

"That's because he's got the hair of a poodle," Nick giggled.

"And he's very protective of that poodle hair," She laughed. "Used to spend hours just trying to get it to look right and eventually just lost patience with it. Plus... I think he's jealous of your hair."

Nick's eyes went wide; the idea of Justin being jealous of something of his was like insane to him. "I doubt that."

"Well, he said it," Lynn said smiling at Nick and the look of disbelief on his face. "Ever since he was in elementary school, he used to get teased for having a billow pad for hair. Drove him insane one time enough to take the scissors and cut his own hair into abstract art. He envies anyone with controllable straight hair."

Nick giggled picturing Justin with his hair cut by himself. "Yeah well I like his hair...especially now cuz I can get my fingers in it..." he trailed off blushing when he realized what exactly he was going to say.

Lynn laughed. "Well at least he let's you run your fingers through it. Anyone else and they'd have their hands bitten off." She winked at him.

"I think timing has a lot to do with it," Nick laughed having a good idea that if he tried to do that just randomly through out the day he would get his hand bitten off.

"That too," Lynn said with a smile.

Just then Benny came walking into the room and started rubbing against Lynn's leg. Nick then wondered if the older woman had the same problem with cats that Justin did.

"Oh my," Lynn said, startled for a bit before realizing it was just the cat. She bent down and picked up the big cat, sucking in a breath. "He sure eats healthy," she chuckled, placing the cat on the table before petting it.

Nick sighed a sigh of relief to see she didn't care. "Yeah he does...but I think it has a lot to do with that he's old and can't run around as well anymore." he laughed.

"Probably... with old age comes arthritis and lower metabolism," Lynne chuckled. "He's a cuddlier, isn't he?" She asked when Benny made himself comfortable against her hand and began purring.

"Yes he is," Nick giggled. "Which is why I asked Justin if I could bring him out...I felt bad for neglecting him the last few days. Well neglecting him with love. I was still feeding him and stuff."

Lynn frowned. "He was here when you and Justin went to Indiana?" She asked. She had been completely unaware of Benny's presence in the house.

Nick nodded his head, "Yeah...but he had plenty of food and water."

"Wow," Lynn said looking down at the cat. "Aww, poor thing... If I had known I would have kept him some company."

"It never occurred to me," Nick said blushing a little. "I guess I just assumed I was the only one here who would really care."

Lynn laughed. "Out of everyone I had to end up with a husband and son who aren't much of pet people. Dogs they could handle but anything else... good luck."

That just reminded Nick of something, "You better not let Justin know that he's on the table."

"He's already given you the rules?" Lynn asked shaking her head.

"Well about Benny," Nick said wondering what Lynn meant by THE RULES. "He just doesn't want him on the furniture...in his office or in the studio, and of course the bedroom."

"It's a good thing he doesn't have a dog right now," Lynn said. "That would have been... interesting."

"Benny could have stayed in Indiana..." Nick said really glad that hadn't happened but he wouldn't have thrown a fit if Justin had said he couldn't come.

"Nah," Lynn said looking down at Benny. "I'm sure he would have missed you and you would have missed him."

"Yeah I would have," Nick answered honestly.

"Hmm," Lynn looked up at Nick. "Well, it's late and I should be getting to bed."

"Okay," Nick said with a smile. "Noon for tomorrow right?"

"Yup," Lynn said walking away. "And you know where to find me anyways... have a good night Nick."

"Yes I know where you live," Nick said in a playfully creepy sounding voice. "Good night Lynn...sweet dreams."

"After that," Lynn said shaking her head with a laugh. "Thanks." She then went into her room to call it a night.

Nick ended up in his room watching a movie before he fell asleep and didn't wake up again until it was nine. Groaning he got out of bed and took a shower and got ready for the day. After he was dressed and ready he headed downstairs to find Lynn.

Lynn was where she usually is, in the kitchen making breakfast. She smiled when she heard purring behind her. Turning around she saw Nick, trailing him was Benny. "Good morning you two," she said with a smile.

"Good morning," Nick answered back with a smile as he went to fill Benny's water and food dish which he had moved into the kitchen the day before.

"Did you get some sleep, hopefully?" Lynn questioned as she went back to flipping the biscuits she was heating up and the bacon.

"Yeah I did...around like four or something." Nick laughed as he sat down at the kitchen table once he had Benny's water changed and down where he could get to it.

"That's good," Lynn said as she grabbed two plates before adding some cheese slices onto the sausage patties, waited till it melted on before quickly making eggs. Soon enough she had bacon, sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwiches made and sat one in front of Nick with a glass of orange juice.

"Thanks," Nick said with a smile as he picked up the breakfast sandwich and took a big bite. "Ohh this is good," he said almost sounding in pleasure.

"Good to hear," Lynn said as she took a seat across from Nick and bit into her own sandwich.

Nick was rather quiet through most of breakfast, just thinking about what he was going to do if his parents were visiting Aaron at the same time he arrived. He didn't want Lynn to see him totally lose it. Thinking about totally losing it reminded him that he needed to take his pills and stood up going over to the counter.

Lynn watched Nick take his medication before coming back to the table. "Are y
ou nervous about today?" She asked, watching him curiously.

"Petrified," Nick laughed uneasily.

"Petrified of seeing your brother ... or your parents?" She asked. "You could always call the hospital and find out if they are there?"

"I'm worried if I do that then they will tell me I can't come. Maybe if I just show up and pout or something they will let me." Nick laughed.

Lynn laughed. "That could work," she said shaking her head before drinking some OJ.

"I'll behave though," Nick said not sure if he was saying that for her benefit or his.

"I'm sure you will," Lynn said with a nod of her head. "Aaron needs you."

"He needed me when I got my ass kicked out too," Nick pointed out as he got up and took his dishes to the sink.

"And now you have more of a reason to be there for him," Lynn said, still finishing up her sandwich.

"Yeah...I'm not even sure if HE is going to be willing to testify in court about this." Nick said with a sigh.

"Hopefully he's allowed to, he's a big part of everything and he deserves to be heard." Lynn looked at nick.

"I'm sure he will be allowed to but, I don't know if he'll want to."

"There's something to ask him when you see him," Lynn responded.

"Yeah," Nick said all of a sudden really wishing he could talk to Justin about this stuff.

Lynn got up to go wash the dishes once she had finished eating; when she was done she wiped her hands on the hand towel. "We still have a few more hours to kill before we have to go... you wanna go now or still planning on around noon?"

Nick thought about that a second and figured now was fine. "Now works," he said thinking he would be a nervous wreck other wise.

Lynn nodded. "Okay, just give me a few minutes to get ready, then..." She said as she headed out of the kitchen and over to her room.

Nick walked into the living room and flopped onto the couch. All the while staring at the phone wondering what Justin would be doing if he tried to call him.

Ten minutes later Lynn walked into the living room. "I'm ready when you are," she said.

Nick jumped up more then ready to go. He was getting anxious just waiting.

"Let's go," he said as they headed to the garage. He ended up going to the same car that they had taken the day before.

"Take a deep breath," Lynn said once they were both in the car and before Nick could start it.

Nick did what she said before he backed out of the garage and headed out onto the street. "I can do this...I can do this." he chanted softly to himself.

Lynn stayed quiet as she listened to Nick murmuring to himself wishing she could be of some sort of comfort. It wasn't long before they pulled into the parking lot of the hospital and Nick just sat there once the car was turned off, staring at the building. "It's okay," she said in a soft voice as she looked at Nick and then at the hospital.

"I just don't want them to kick me out," Nick whispered looking down at the steering wheel.

"They can't kick you out if you haven't done anything now," Lynn said. "I mean, you did before but... now, you hadn't. You just want to see your little brother, there's no harm in that."

"Yeah," Nick said as he took a deep breath and got out of the car. He waited for Lynn to join him before they headed into the hospital. Once in the hospital Nick led Lynn to the right elevator and then up to the floor Aaron was on. Once it dinged, Nick stood there for a minute as if suck in place.

Lynn held the doors opened as he looked at Nick. "Nick?"

Nick shook off whatever daze he got in and followed Lynn off of the elevator. He then led her down the hall to where Aaron's room was.

Lynn saw Aaron's name outside the room and when it looked like Nick wasn't going to do anything but stare at the door she took it upon herself to knock gently. When she heard someone call out for them to come in. She opened the door the slowly and stuck her head inside, smiling.


Aaron got a confused look on his face when he saw a woman he thought was vaguely familiar, "Uh, hi?"

"Hi," Lynn replied before stepping in fully and holding the door open for Nick to enter.

Nick gave Aaron a small smile, "Hey..." he said not sure if he was going to be mad at him since he had made it so he wasn't able to come earlier.

Aaron's eyes widened as he saw his brother. He blinked a few times to make sure he wasn't seeing things out of pure will; Nick was really there. "Nick?" He asked, getting confused. "Wh...what are you doing here? Bob and Jane are gonna-"

"I don't care...I wanted to come see you." Nick said as he walked farther into the room and over to a chair by the bed. "How are you feeling...is your hearing and eye sight getting any better?" he asked even though he knew the doctors didn't expect a full recovery in those areas even with different operations since it was something in the brain, not the ear drum or eye itself.

Aaron sniffled a bit as he nodded his head. "A little better," he answered before squinting his eyes at the woman.

Lynn smiled politely before walking back to the door, wanting to give Nick and his brother some time together. "I'm just gonna go wait outside, okay?"

"Okay," Nick said giving Lynn a grateful smile before turning his attention back to Aaron. "I'm sorry I haven't come back to see you sooner, bro."

Aaron scratched his head before shrugging nonchalantly. "I heard one of the nurses talking... you got kicked out."

"True...but that was my fault." Nick said even though it really wasn't true. He would never have done what he did if Bob hadn't provoked him.

Aaron looked into his brothers eyes, squinting. "You're lying," he said and then sighed. "You promised you wouldn't do anything..."

Nick sighed, "I know...it's just..." he shook his head."No reason...I shouldn't have done it."

"How've you been?" He asked a few moments later.

"Good," Nick said with a small smile. "I was back home for a few days."

"Yeah?" Aaron asked with a smile. "Did you see Angel, Grams, and Gramps?"

Nick nodded his head, "I did...it was great to see them again."

"Doe... does... Ange hate me for leaving her?" Aaron asked in a soft voice.

Nick was taken back by that, "Actually she never mentioned anything like that at all. She talked about you but only about how she hopes you get better and stuff."

Aaron bit his lower lip. "I'm sorry," he said, apologizing for a lot of things that he'd done but mostly for all the drugs he's taken. The hospital had him assigned to a shrink to talk about his drug addiction, so he'd been doing that although not saying much of anything that dealt with his life.

"Don't be sorry...I'm just glad you had the sense at all to do what you did here." Nick said as he reached out and took his brother's hand in his. "I don't even want to think of what would have happened to you if you had done this at home."

Aaron took in a deep breath. "Oh god... Eddie and Kelly... how are they?"

"As crazy as always," Nick laughed. "They were worried for you, but they are doing a lot better now that we all know you're going to be okay."

Aaron sighed; he had a feeling he was never going to be okay. His life sucked and it wasn't even worth living anymore. "Good to hear," he said. "I thought I wasn't going to get to see you again after last visit."

Something just hit Nick like a tone of bricks as he listened to his brother. The last time he had been here to see him Aaron had been much more out of it then now. "Aaron...answer me honestly...did you do this on purpose?"

Aaron looked down at his lap, at his hand that was still held by Nick's. He didn't say anything for a while.

"Answer me," Nick said firmly...already really knowing the answer but he wanted to hear it in words.

Aaron looked the other way. "Life sucks, Nick," he said. "Our whole family is just torn apart... and there's nothing left."

Nick sighed he understood that, "But that isn't a reason to go and kill yourself. If that was the case I would have been dead years ago."

"It didn't start off like that," Aaron said. "I just wanted to forget things for a little bit... but... as time went on nothing seemed worth it anymore."

"I wish you would have told me life was so shitty for you." Nick said with a sigh, which reminded him of what he really needed to talk to Aaron about. "While we're on this topic can I ask you something?"

Aaron shrugged. "Sure, what?"

"Now I need you to answer me honestly..." Nick started not sure how to ask this. "Back home...was dad or mom doing anything to you?" he asked and then thought of a better way to explain what he was asking. "Like dad used to do to me."

Aaron sighed. Instead of answering his brother he let go of his hand before reaching behind him and untying the knots of the strings holding his gown together. He let the top drop so his brother can see for himself. When the doctors had asked where he'd gotten these marks from he simply said that he'd gotten into a lot of fights back home, and people usually picked on him and stuff. He was too ashamed and scared to say the real source of where he'd gotten them.

Nick's eyes went wide and he felt sick to his stomach. "Dad..."

Aaron quickly put the gown back on and tied the strings, not saying anything.

Nick sighed, "I'm seeing a shrink...and I told her all about the stuff that dad did to me. She seemed to think the same things were happening to you..."

Aaron looked quickly at his brother, fear in his eyes. "She wouldn't be wrong... but... you told her about… me?"

Nick nodded, "Well yeah I told about you and the girls."

"Bob's gonna be pissed," Aaron said making a pained face, it was then he saw the time and he sucked in a deep breath. "You have to leave."

Nick got a confused look on his face, "Why?"

"It's almost ten-thirty," He answered. "They'll be here soon."

Nick sighed; he wanted to spend more time with his brother. "Do you know when they're going to leave?"

Aaron nodded. "They come from ten-thirty to noon then go out to have lunch before coming back at one-thirty and stay till three." He frowned. "And that's when I have my session with the shrink for an hour."

"What if I come back around five?" Nick asked and then smirked. "Maybe I can bring in Mickey D's."

Aaron's eyes lit up. "Don't tease me," he pleaded. "You have no idea how much I'm craving real food that doesn't smell like the hospital."

"Well there is only a week left and you're outta here." Nick said with a smile but it didn't reach his eyes. He had no idea where Aaron would have to go once he got out of there. At least in the hospital he was safe.

"Yeah and back in hell," Aaron mumbled.

"I'm gunna do all I can to get you outta there but you gotta do something for me." Nick said begging Aaron with his eyes.

"I don't know what I can do," Aaron answered. "But sure..."

"If somebody...that might look like a cop...Comes in and talks to you about stuff...answer him truthfully." Nick said not sure how his brother would react to this. "If you do...I think you'll be able to stay here...and live with me."

Aaron shook his head trying to understand. "Why would a cop come in here?" He asked before his eyes went wide. "You went to the cops?"

Nick shook his head like crazy, "No...When I told my shrink stuff...she told me it would be in your best interest to have an investigation started."

Aaron rubbed at his face. "Bob's not going to be happy about this at all," he said, looking at his brother with worried eyes, craving an acid trip right about now.

"But nothing can happen to you...just don't let him know anything is happening...and once the investigation starts and they can tell something is going on they won't let him get to you. I promise."

Aaron bit his lower lip and nodded his head, using his will power to keep his hands from shaking. "You better get going," he said.

Nick nodded as he stood up and leaned over to give Aaron a kiss on the cheek. "I just worry about you Bro…and I would feel so much better knowing you're safe with me and Justin." he said not realizing how domestic that sounded.

"I know," Aaron said giving Nick a small smile. "I'll see you later?"

"You bet," Nick said with a smile as he headed to the door. "Bye," With that he headed out and saw Lynn sitting in a chair across from the room. "Come on we gotta get outa here."

"Okay," Lynn said putting the magazine down and grabbing her purse. "Is everything alright?" She questioned, seeing Nick's need to hurry on out of there.

Nick's eyes went wide when he noticed who just got off the elevator. "Uhh no." he said more then a little uneasy

Lynn looked from Nick over to where he was looking at, the elevators, where a couple got off and were heading their way. By the looks on their faces Lynn guessed they weren't too pleased to see Nick and neither was Nick. "Your parents?" She asked in a whisper.

"Yeah," Nick said as he stood up straighter and just started walking. He was going to ignore them and pray they did the same with him.

Lynn wasn't sure how to act but took on Nick's lead and followed him quietly. She only stopped when Nick stopped at Bob's stern, rough voice that even made her cringe.

"What were you doing here?" Bob questioned.

"Visiting my brother," Nick stated trying to keep a tough face on when he felt like running away in tears.

Jane tried to pull on her husband, not wanting to make a scene, the whole time not even looking at Nick.

Bob sighed at Jane's consistent tugging of his arm. "You shouldn't have been here in the first place."

Lynn rolled her eyes and hooked her arm with Nick's, gently tugging him in the direction of the elevators. This wasn't worth it, at all.

"No YOU shouldn't be here," Nick spat. He wasn't able to keep the anger out of his voice as Lynn pulled him to the elevator.

"A fag like you shouldn't be around an impressionable kid like him," Bob hissed under his breath before Jane hissed at him.

Lynn took in a deep breath to keep her own cool as he managed to get Nick in the elevator and pressed the button to the lobby.

Nick leaned back against the back of the elevator looking like he was about ready to explode at any second.

"Don't listen to him, Nick," Lynn said in a soft voice as she saw Nick grinding his teeth and clenching his fists.

"Easier said then done," Nick said as he ran a hand through his hair, "You didn't see the scars on Aaron's back."

Lynn closed her eyes. Oh dear god. "No... No, I didn't," she said knowing that if she had she would have slapped that so called father right there and then.

"I hope I can at least get temporary custody of him by the time he's released next week. I will NOT let him go with them...I won't." Nick said shoving his hands in his pockets as they got off the elevator and headed out of the hospital.

Lynn sighed as he followed Nick out into the parking lot. "Do you need a lawyer?"

Nick hadn't thought about that but now he figured yeah he probably did. "I guess I do," he said as he unlocked the car and hopped into the driver's seat.

"You need to call Justin and get that figured out," Lynn said buckling herself in.

"I don't want to bother him...he's got so much other stuff going on." Nick said as he pulled out of the parking lot and headed for home.

"Maybe but I'm sure he would still like to know what's going on," Lynn said.

Nick sighed, "I'll try calling him when we get back, maybe I'll be lucky and catch him on a break or something."

"Okay," Lynn said. "Are you going to go back to see him or...?"

"Yeah I'm going to bring him McDonalds for dinner." Nick said with a small smile.

Lynn chuckled. "I'm sure he'd love that."

Nick laughed too as he pulled into the driveway, parking the car out side since he was just going to be using it again later. "Yeah I know he will."

Lynn got out of the car and headed up the front steps before opening the door. "Would you like anything?"

"No...I think I'm just gunna go up and see if I can get a hold of Justin and talk to him for a few." Nick said with a thankful smile on his face. "Thanks though."

"Don't mention it," Lynn said before walking down to her room.

Once upstairs, Nick walked down past his own room to Justin's room. He kicked off his shoes and couldn't help but climb under the covers. Reaching over he picked up the phone off of Justin's night stand and dialed the familiar cell phone.

"Hey it's Justin and obviously I'm busy right now. You know what to do and I'll call back when I can."

Nick sighed when he got Justin's voice mail. Taking a deep breath he waited for the beep and tried to keep what he felt was a normal sounding message. "Hey baby...it's me...Umm I just needed to talk to you as soon as you can. So please call me back. Love you."

It wasn't until five in the evening that shooting for the particular scene was done for the day. Tired, Justin headed over to his trailer to quickly change and head back to his hotel room. In the car ride back he checked his missed calls and voice messages, frowning when he'd listened to Nicks. Quickly he dialed home and waited as it rang.

Nick woke up when he heard the phone ringing right next to his ear. He hadn't meant to fall asleep and groaned as he answered it. "Hello?" he answered in a husky half asleep voice.

Justin frowned some more. "Nick?" He asked, immediately worried. "Is everything alright?"

Nick rubbed at his eyes trying to get himself to wake up. "Hey...yeah...things are okay." he answered as he sat up.

Justin let on a small smile. "Okay, good to hear," he said. "But I got your message... what's up?"

"Right to the point," Nick laughed and then sighed. "I went and saw Aaron today..."

"Oh?" Justin wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. "Weren't you kicked out of the hospital?"

"I guess they don't really care that much anymore. Nobody stopped me," Nick answered but then went right into the matter at hand. "I'm really going to pursue that investigation. Aaron showed me scars on his back that my fucking asshole of a father put there."

"OH man," Justin said rubbing at his temples. "How IS your brother doing now, though?"

"He's still got the hearing and eyesight problems but those are supposed to be permanent by this point. He's seeing a shrink which is good because he's also having major cravings which I don't think he wanted me to know." Nick sighed. "I told him what was going to be happening so I hope he does tell the cops the truth."

"Do you think he will?" Justin asked.

"I sure hope so," Nick said and then thought of the other part of his visit. "I saw my parents again..."

"Uh oh," Justin said hoping Nick hadn't lost his temper again and got kicked out.

Nick laughed a little, "Your mommy pulled me away before I could do anything besides yell back at him as he called me names."

"Wow, you have a busy day," Justin chuckled.

"Yeah...which is probably why I was asleep when you called," Nick laughed. "But tell me about yours...gets my mind off of the shit going on here."

"Um, not much to tell; we started shooting today," Justin replied. "It wasn't so bad. The cool part is I get to work with Kevin Spacey, Morgan Freeman, and like LL Cool J."

Nick's eyes went wide, "Whoa...you're SO going to have to introduce me if I come and visit," he giggled.

Justin chuckled. "Uh, yeah, they keep picking on me though... it's all in good nature but still...it was fun."

"Picking on you how?" Nick asked getting protective over his boyfriend.

"Cry me a river," Justin informed him. "The way I sing the chorus... and from Gone too."

"What is there to make fun of?" Nick asked not seeing what was to make fun of there.

Justin sighed not really knowing how to do their impressions of him much less tell Nick. "I guess it's one of those things that you gotta see for yourself to know what I'm talking about."

Nick thought about the songs a little and then might have gotten an idea. "You just mean how high your voice can go and stuff?"

Justin scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah... they say it's too ... girly," he chuckled before getting out of the car once it parked in front of his hotel. Quickly he made his way in and headed to the elevators.

"Yeah well if they need somebody to come in and explain how NOT girly you are I'll be happy to do it." Nick said, totally joking but it was true at the same time, "I know for a fact you are NOT a girl."

Justin laughed. "Like I said... it was all in good fun, I didn't mind."

"Yeah well if they pick on you too much I'll come and kick their asses." Nick giggled.

"Yeah DAD," Justin said shaking his head as he entered his key card and opened the door. "So what are your plans for the rest of the day?"

"Fuck off," Nick laughed at the dad' comment. "I'm going back to the hospital with McDonalds at five."

Justin chuckled at that. "Funny," he said. "It's five now and I was just about to go out to get me some Mickey D's."

"Must be a thing everybody is supposed to do at five." Nick giggled.

"It's an addiction." Justin walked over to his bed and took a seat. "So, did you sleep well last night?"

"When I did go to sleep," Nick laughed. "My sleep schedule got all whacked out from sleeping all day."

"You'll un-whack it soon enough," Justin said with a chuckle.

"That's a new one...un-whack." Nick teased just having fun to have some happy times in his day.

"Yup, learn something new everyday," Justin said as he got up again and went to put on an extra sweater before putting his jacket back on. He then made sure he had some cash in his wallet before heading back out of his room and down to the lobby. "So... did you talk to Aaron about the whole custody thing?"

"Kind of...just mostly made sure he's going to tell the cops the right stuff." Nick said with a sigh. "I think he's scared that Bob is going to make things worse on him if he tells."

"I would be too," Justin said frowning. "How bad is his back...?"

"It looks like he's been hit by something...more times then I would care to count." Nick said tears coming to his eyes. "I have to get him outta there Justin..."

"He's safe in the hospital but... I don't know what to do for when he's out of there," Justin replied. "I mean, if the cops go in and investigate now... they're going to want to keep him with someone who isn't part of either party until this whole thing is settled in court."

Nick flopped back down on the bed looking up at the ceiling. "He's not going to stand it if he has to go to foster care. He's having a hard enough time fighting this drug addiction."

"This totally sucks," Justin commented as he exited the hotel and walked down the block to where the McDonald's was. "To keep him with you... it's gonna take a lot of convincing."

"Which I have no idea how to do," Nick said his eyes beginning to tear up. Too many emotional things were going on and he was having issues keeping them at bay.

"We'll think of something," Justin said, still walking. "Was there something else you wanted to talk to me about or ask me?" He questioned, remembering the voice mail.

Nick thought for a second, "Oh...your mom told me to ask you about a lawyer."

"For Aaron?" Justin asked, knowing that was the case but just wanting to make sure.

"Yeah...or for that situation, I'm not sure if it would be ME with the lawyer or him." Nick said really wishing he knew more about this.

"I think you might need one," Justin said after a few moments of thought. "But I'll look into it and see if I can get someone for this." He made a mental note that this lawyer would be needed soon, hopefully before the weeks end.

"Okay...thanks." Nick said really wishing all of this wasn't happening while he was alone.

Justin entered the restaurant, "Hold on a sec," he said into the phone before holding it against his chest as he placed his order at the counter before going back to Nick. "So where were we? Right... lawyer..."

Nick thought this might be a good time to voice his fears from earlier. "Justin...people are going to know I'm living with you once this is all done..."

Justin remained silent for a little while before taking in a deep breath, his stomach grumbling at the aromas that hit his senses. "Yeah..." He trailed off. "I don't know... I, hmm... we'll talk about this a bit later, okay?"

"Sure...I'll let you eat your dinner." Nick said knowing when a topic was being dismissed.

"Nah... I'm still waiting for my dinner to be packed," Justin said looking at the girl impatiently. "Just... need time to think about things that's all." Once he finally got his meal he headed back out of the restaurant to his hotel, feeling good that he was doing this by himself, no bodyguards and no paparazzi. He knew this would all change the moment word got out that he was in town but for now, he was living it up.

"Oh, okay." Nick said still not sure what Justin was thinking about all of this. "You sure you're not busy?" he asked not wanting to be a bother and get on Justin's nerves.

"I'm sure," Justin said. "Besides having to read the script for tomorrow I'm free for the rest of the day... I think."

Nick smiled at that, "Oh cool..." he was glad it didn't sound like Justin had to rush off and do anything.

"Yeah..." Justin trailed off. "Did I mention how much I don't like the cold?" He asked ducking his head as the wind blew at him.

"I think I remember from seeing you in it." Nick giggled thinking back to Boston and earlier in the week in Indiana.

"Well, I hate it," Justin said, shivering slightly. A few more feet and he'd be inside the hotel. Just a few more.

"Yes and you don't have your oh so cute boyfriend to cuddle with to keep warm."

Nick giggled, just picturing what Justin looked like all shriving, his face probably pink from the cold wind.

"Yeah... sucks," Justin said letting out a sigh of relief as he entered the lobby and headed on over to the stairs. "Watch... my foods probably all frozen by now."

"Ohh a frozen hamburger that would be appetizing." Nick laughed.

"And fries," Justin added. "And nuggets... plus the ketchup and the barbeque sauce..." He sighed. "Good thing the room comes with a microwave."

"I'm sure its warmer then you think," Nick giggled thinking this was just the cutest thing in the world. "You're too cute baby."

"Yeah, I guess so," Justin said with a chuckle, fumbling with the key card for a few moments before he finally got the door to open.

Nick just laughed some more when he heard Justin shuffling into the room and slamming the door behind him. "Now *I* am getting hungry...just thinking about your food."

"You didn't have any lunch?" Justin asked as he placed the bag on the table, "Hold on a minute," and began to take him coats and sweaters before picking his cell phone up again as he peered into the bag.

"No...I slept through lunch." Nick said with a laugh. "Like I said my sleep schedule is all whacked out, plus there was nothing else to do so my body said take a nap."

"Ah, I see," Justin said making a face. "Well... the food's not frozen but it IS cold." He sighed as he walked over to the microwave and heated everything for a few seconds. While the food was heating up he walked over to his bag and rummaged through it for a minute. "Damn... I think I forgot to pack my laptop." He pouted before deciding to look through everything again, just to make sure.

"You did," Nick said as he blushed bright red thinking about what he saw the night before.

Justin sighed, not thinking much about it as he went back to retrieve his food. "I knew I forgot something..."

"I can send it to you if you want me to," Nick suggested.

Justin took in a deep breath. "No, it's alright. You can either bring it up with you when you visit or I'll take it when I come down for the weekend."

"Okay," Nick said trying to figure out how to bring up what he had seen the night before. "Yeah I noticed it was still here last night when Manny and I were trying to find out what computer and SIMS on it."

It took a minute for what Nick said to sink in before he started to choke on his nugget. "Uh, yeah," he said hoping, although by the tone of Nick's voice he knew otherwise, that Nick didn't play the game or hopefully didn't bother to play the one that was already in it. "So, did you and Manny have fun last night?" He asked, trying to change the subject.

"Don't try to change the subject," Nick said really wanting to know what was up with the game. "You wana explain to me what I saw?"

'No, not really,' Justin thought and knew Nick wouldn't really like that as an answer. "What did you see?"

"Well what I did see was really cute..." Nick said wanting Justin to know he wasn't mad about it...not at all. He then began to wonder if Justin was mad at HIM for seeing it. "I wouldn't have thought anything of it...except the timing...seemed a little off."

"How so?" Justin asked. "You watched the whole game play out or something?"

"Well...just the beginning seemed strange..." Nick said still totally baffled by that. "It was even before Boston..."

Justin wished he wouldn't have forgotten that laptop of his at home. He really didn't feel like explaining something to Nick that he himself didn't understand. He had been bored the night after the concert, the night that Nick had given him his e-mail address. And well, one thing led to another and although he didn't know why or what he was doing he found himself playing with the SIMS. "Yeah..."

Nick sighed, figuring Justin wasn't going to explain to him what was going on. "I'm not mad at you...are you mad at me?" he asked really hoping Justin wasn't.

"No, I'm not mad," Justin said. "I just... I can't explain something that I don't know myself."

"Okay," Nick said as he let out a sigh of relief that Justin wasn't mad at him. "I wasn't trying to snoop or anything...honest." He said going back into his apologizing the whole time mode without realizing it.

"I know Nick," Justin said. "It's okay..." He wiped his hand on the napkin before rubbing at his cheeks; his beard was really itching him. He thought of the best way to explain the game and really couldn't come up with a good reason besides he just felt like doing something like that. "Remember I told you that I've always been bi except I never met anyone to bring that side of me out until I met you?"

"Yeah," Nick said softly, he remembered when Justin had said that. It made sense too.

"Well... the night I met you at the bar... I noticed how you kept staring at me and trying to start a conversation, almost fidgety. A whole bunch of things were going through my head... like, okay don't take this the wrong way but usually that happens with the girls... and I was trying to figure out if you were gay, bi, or straight... or if I was imaging things..."

"I guess I should have acted more flamboyant so you would have known." Nick laughed trying to keep the mood as light as possible even though he knew this was a serious matter. "Baby you don't have to explain yourself if you don't want and I think I understand now anyway."

"You do?" Justin asked, letting out a breath of relief, because frankly he didn't understand... not completely anyways. "What do you understand?" He asked curiously.

"You were having feelings for me...that were a little strange since you normally only had these feelings for girls. Of course I didn't make it easier on you cuz I popped up at the club for the concert the next night too. Since you were having all these crazy feelings and saw my e-mail address which made you feel that I was possibly gay or bi too you took the only outlet you could...you did the SIMS thing...because SIMS are safe. You could make up anything you want and it wouldn't mess anything up." Nick tried to explain what he got from the whole thing, the whole time wondering if he was way off.

"I didn't even know I had feelings for you," Justin admitted. "The first thing that popped into my head when I walked into the bar that night and saw you sleeping was 'Well, isn't he adorable' and that freaked the hell out of me. It took everything in me to not walk out of the bar and commit myself to a shrink or something." He laughed. "Then I decided to distract myself from my thought by watching the sports review on TV. But yeah... that pretty much fits more or less to why I think I did the SIMS thing."

Nick giggled blushing a little. "I am adorable...so you were right on target no need for a shrink." he teased knowing that wasn't what Justin was talking about.

Justin laughed. "Sure, good to know," he said.

"Then again I could drive you crazy with my oh so gorgeous looks." Nick said in his best cocky, yet flamboyant voice he could.

"You're something else Nicky," Justin said chuckling to himself.

"But you love me," Nick giggled.

"Yup," Justin said as he finished up his food. "So, um... Manny watched it too?"

"Uhh...yeah," Nick said and then laughed at what Manny had said. "He was pissed it ended when it did."

"Why?" Justin asked.

"Cuz he loved the story," Nick laughed. "He was really getting into what the characters were doing. I told him he already knows what happens and that real Nick and real Justin is better."

Justin laughed. "Yeah, the real thing is better."

"Totally," Nick said with a smirk on his face. "The real thing is MUCH better."

"So, what did you and my mom do today besides go to the hospital?" Justin asked.

"Eat breakfast," Nick laughed. "That's about it. I came home...tried to call you and then fell asleep. I'm not sure what she's doing."

"Hmm," Justin said feeling a bit sad that his mom has nothing to do there.

"What's the 'hmm' for?" Nick asked not understanding why Justin did that.

"Nothing," Justin said shaking his head. "I think I'm gonna see about that lawyer thing right now... I'll call you later to see how your visit to Aaron went, okay?"

"Okay," Nick said wondering why the mood seemed to drop again but didn't say anything. "Talk to you later tonight then."

"Okay, bye," Justin said as he ended the call and went through his phonebook, looking for the number of his own lawyer.

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At almost exactly five Nick walked down the hall to Aaron's room. He stood at the door listening to see if he heard any talking and when he didn't he slowly opened the door. "Anybody in here want Mickey D's?"

"Oh, I do," Aaron chuckled as he heard his brother's voice. "Bring it over man."

Nick walked over to the bed and pulled the try over so it was in front of Aaron and sat the bag down on it. "Quarter Pounder with no onions...right?"

Aaron nodded his head with a big smile on his face. "Yeah, you remembered," he said with a chuckle, licking his lips as he opened the bag and went about taking the fries and burger out. "Thanks."

"No need to thank me, I wanted to." Nick said with a smile as he pulled out his own burger and fries.

"You saw Bob this morning, didn't you?" Aaron asked after a few minutes when he let himself enjoy the taste of the burger.

"Yeah..." Nick said with a sigh. "I'm sorry if that made him act weird with you..."

"Made me feel like I was being interrogated," Aaron said making a face. "But nothing he hadn't done before."

"What did he say?" Nick asked getting into protective big brother mode.

"Just the usual... what did you want... why were you here... what did I say... and all that stuff."

"I'm sorry," Nick said meaning more then just what happened today. "I'm sorry you had to grow up hearing him bashing me and putting me down all the time."

Aaron looked down at his food before looking back at Nick. "You had to put up with a lot more shit than I had to."

Nick shook his head, "You've put up with just as much. Those words may never have been said to you but you heard them and that's just as bad. He's...hit you...that's just as bad." he took a deep breath. "You're not going to go back there...I won't let them take you back."

"They kicked you out when you were my age," Aaron pointed out not mentioning the fact that Bob thinks that he might be a 'fag' too that Aaron was just hiding it because he was too afraid that he would end up getting kicked out like Nick had. "They're still keeping me... which I don't understand why."

"Because you aren't gay," Nick laughed bitterly. "If you were you would have been out on the street before you had a chance to explain yourself."

"Wouldn't be long before they do kick me out," Aaron mumbled under his breath. Yes, he was straight but still; having a gay big brother and an asshole of a father didn't help his case any. Bob was convinced Aaron is or would be gay if he continued to be around Nick.

"Well you won't have the chance to be kicked out." Nick assured Aaron with a nod of his head before he took another bite of his hamburger. "I won't let you live on the streets like I did...I won't.," he had never told Aaron about all the things that had happened to him after he had been kicked. He had tried to see Aaron at least once a month during those years but that was normally just stopping by his school to say hi and maybe get ice cream of hot chocolate. He never took Aaron into his neighborhood nor did he explain why he hadn't spoken to Aaron for close to six months when he had been at Williams.

"It's that bad, huh?" Aaron asked, looking at Nick. Nick looked a lot older for his age, his eyes showing much more experience than that should have been there. One thing he'd never told Nick was that he'd tried running away once before but his parents had figured out where he'd been hiding and that was why Aaron knew he had to actually get out of the state. He later found out just where Nick was and knew just where he had to go. From what he'd seen... life on the streets was scary, especially to someone his age traveling alone. He could only imagine how it must have been for Nick.

Nick nodded his head figuring it was about time he told Aaron the truth. He needed the boy to realize why he couldn't run away or anything like that. "It was probably the most scary thing in the world...well not all of it...but most of it. I was never really lonely though...at least not physically because I was a cute young blonde teenager and men thrive on them." he said hoping Aaron would get what he was saying.

Aaron's eyes tiered up as he quickly looked down at his lap. Imagining his brother in a situation like THAT was not what he needed to know and the hate he held for his parents increased even more. "That's just sick," he whispered out.

"Eh...the sick part is I didn't really mind it." Nick laughed shaking his head. "But it's all in the past...it just affected me a lot more then I realized up until recently."

"Sorry," Aaron said not really knowing what he was apologizing for. There were way too many things that happened to just pick one out and say he was sorry for that.

"Don't be...you didn't do anything to be sorry for." Nick said as he patted Aaron's leg over the blankets. "Are you still weak and stuff? Or are the only things bothering you still your eyes and ears?"

"A little bit of both," Aaron answered. "The doctors were saying that they could try doing some kinda retina laser thing for my eyes but as far the hearing thing, they said it wasn't as bad... I wouldn't need a hearing aid or something like that."

"That's good..." Nick said with a smile. It was still really hard for him to fathom that his baby brother had done this to himself. It wasn't some fluke accident but something he had done.

Aaron took in a deep breath. "So where's that boyfriend of yours?" He asked with a small smile.

Nick pouted playfully, "Up in Toronto for a month."

"What's he doing all the way over there?" Aaron asked.

"Filming a movie," Nick said with a small smile.

"Ohh," Aaron said with a smile too. "Wow, a movie star boyfriend."

"Yeah he's a movie star and musician all in one." Nick laughed a smile on his face. He was really proud of Justin for doing this movie thing, even though he knew his boyfriend was nervous wreck about it.

"Sounds like a good deal to me," Aaron chuckled.

"I seriously have no idea how I became so lucky," Nick said with a dreamy smile on his face.

"Well whatever it is... you deserve it bro," Aaron said.

Nick smiled, "I can't wait for you to meet him...he's nothing like everybody thinks he is. Ya know how he gets that kind of stuck up persona going."

"I wouldn't know," Aaron said. "All I know about him is how hot he is and how hot he is. That's all Angel kept saying over and over again. I started to tune her out after about the hundredth time I heard her say it."

This caused Nick to bust up laughing, "You should have seen the look on her face when she met Justin a few days ago."

"Wait, you AND Justin went back home?" Aaron asked, surprised.

Nick nodded his head, "Yeah he came with me to help me pack up my stuff."

"Wow, I wish I saw the look on her face," Aaron said. "Please tell me you got a picture of that?"

"I think gramps might have." Nick laughed shaking his head. "I think Justin had the life hugged out of him that day."

"I'm surprised he actually left that place," Aaron said. "I was sure Angel would have locked him up with her Justin Timberlake collection, he would be the ultimate item."

Nick busted up laughing at that, "She would have gotten in a huge fight with her big brother if that had happened. He's MY piece for MY collection."

"I didn't even know you eve HAD a Justin Timberlake collection," Aaron said shaking his head. "How'd she take the news that you two were an item?"

"She was shocked," Nick laughed. "To say the least...but I think she finds it rather cool that her idol is part of her family now."

The way Nick said the last part made Aaron realize that this was for real, like it was actually serious. "You and Justin are serious about this, aren't you?"

Nick thought about that a minute, he knew HE was serious about it and the more he thought about the more he knew that Justin was indeed just as serious. "Yeah we are...I don't see things ending between us any time soon...if ever."

"Wow," Aaron said. "And it's been only... like what a few months?"

Nick laughed, "Not even two...it'll be two on the twenty-fourth. But I tell you it's already seemed like a lifetime all the things we've been through. I mean just becoming a couple...then Kelly's pregnancy and losing the baby. Not to mention my health issues and then him having to be on tour and things. A LOT has happened."

"I bet," Aaron said nodding his head. "Better having something happening than be bored with nothing, I guess."

"I wouldn't have minded that," Nick laughed and then sighed. "But things are looking up...and will be even more so once this situation with you gets figured out."

"And what if it doesn't?" Aaron asked.

"It will," Nick said knowing that there was no way he was going to let Aaron go back home.

"Okay," Aaron said as he finished up the last of his fries and took a sip of his soda. "Earlier... that was Justin's mom wasn't it?"

"Oh yeah," Nick said blushing bright red. "I can't believe she came with me and I never actually introduced you two!"

"She seems nice," Aaron said with a shrug. "He looks like her."

"Yeah he does...and the whole family is nice." Nick said with a smile and then pouted. "I miss him and he's only been gone a full day."

"You're such a big softie," Aaron teased as he playfully poked Nick's arm.

"You try being in love with somebody and away from them." Nick laughed as he rubbed at his arm playing like it hurt.

"Not anytime soon," Aaron said shaking his head.

"Nope not any time soon you're too young for that." Nick smirked knowing how much his brother hated being told he was too young for things.

Aaron rolled his eyes. "I just don't feel like settling down... For that I won't deny I'm too young for but for everything else..." He snorted.

Nick rolled his eyes playfully. "So...how did your time with your shrink go today?" he asked not sure if Aaron would want to discuss it with him or not, but he thought he would ask anyway.

"Pointless," Aaron said. "I don't understand why they make me go see this person who doesn't even know what the hell I'm talking about and pretends to understand anything about me. Just sits there, nods his head and jots stuff down on that notepad. Plus, he keeps asking me stuff I already told him an answer to. It's REALLY annoying."

"Well once you get outta here I'll let you go talk to my counselor she's really nice. I don't feel like those things you just explained." Nick said with a small smile. "And I know you probably don't like them in general either do I but sometimes you do stuff just because you have to."

"Well, all I can say about this dumb-fuck is that I would be pretty off talking to a tree," Aaron said with a shrug.

Hearing this caused Nick to bust up laughing. "He sounds special indeed." He then thought of something. "Justin is going to be contacting his lawyer to see what we can do about getting you away from Jane and Bob."

"Yeah?" Aaron asked. "So, this is going to court and stuff, huh? Am I going to have to testify and all that?"

Nick nodded his head, "Yeah it appears that way..." he then thought of something. "But only do this if YOU want to...I can't make you come live with me."

Aaron thought about it and looked into Nick's eyes. "After all this, you still think I wanna live with Bob and Jane...?"

"I wouldn't want to if I was you...but I just realized I've been assuming that you would want to come live with me." Nick explained what he was feeling. Sure he came here after running away from there, but well...I hate to say this but I doubt you were exactly clean when all this was happening.

"I wanna stay with you," Aaron nodded his head. "I always have... but if I can't I would happily take the streets rather than go back home. I'll just find some way to escape them again and maybe head to New York or something."

Hearing this made Nick feel even more determined to get this to work. He would talk about it with Justin tonight and they would come up with something. "You won't live on the streets and you won't go home. You're going to come live with Justin, Benny and I." he said with a determined nod of his head.

Aaron chuckled. "How IS Benny doing?" He asked.

"Right now he's having fun wandering the house, when Justin is home he's gotta stay in my room." Nick laughed. "I think the old guy isn't sure what to do with all the space of the huge ass house."

"Probably thinking 'I'm the king of the world,'" Aaron chuckled. "And then has a heart attack trying to remember where the litter box is."

That made Nick get a freaked out look on his face, "I am SO going to have to get him a litter box at least for each floor." he said thinking about Benny trying to get up the stairs in a rush to get to the box in time.

Aaron laughed at the look on Nick's face. "Yeah do that... wouldn't want Justin coming home and finding little unwanted presents here and there."

"He would kill me...or the cat," Nick said making a face not liking either choice.

"He's not a cat person, I take it?" Aaron said.

Nick shook his head, "No...But I have a feeling he'll warm up to Benny...even without knowing it."

"I know I did," Aaron said with a smile.

"He's just a lovable little guy." Nick smiled. "I mean not a mean bone in his body either."

"Yeah," Aaron agreed as he looked at the time. He pouted when he realized visiting hours was almost over.

Nick noticed this too and sighed, "I should probably get going, but I will come back at least in a day or two. I'm going to work on this legal shit too. If things go our way once you're out of here next week you'll be coming to stay with me."

Aaron smiled at that. "Promise you'll be back?"

"I promise," Nick said as he stood up and then kissed Aaron on the forehead before cleaning up their mess. "You have a good night little Bro."

"You too," Aaron said as he picked up the remote and turned the TV on. His bed time wasn't until ten and it was only a little after six.

After leaving the hospital, Nick decided he would stop off and get some food for Lynn as an apology for neglecting her today. She was there to help him and he had only managed to leave her bored at home. Once home he called out hoping she was there and hadn't eaten yet. "LYNN I"M HOME!" he called as he sat his keys down on the table by the door.

Lynn emerged from the living room with a smile on her face. "How'd did your visit to Aaron go?" She asked.

"It went good," Nick said as he held up a bag. It was from the local restaurant down the street and inside was one of their famous chicken salads that he had a feeling Lynn would love. "I brought you dinner."

Lynn raised an eyebrow as he she the bag. "Thanks Hun, but you didn't have to," she said peering inside and seeing the chicken salad, "Oh, my favorite."

"I know...but I wanted to," Nick said with a small blush. "I know you've been here to help me and I've been pre occupied and I'm sure you've been bored."

Just then Benny came walking into the room licking his lips obviously acting like he had just been fed...which Nick knew HE hadn't done. "Oh thank you for feeding him; you so didn't have to do that."

"Nonsense," Lynn said leaning down and picking up the cat and setting him onto of the table. "I had great company... besides; you have more pressing issues to deal with and wouldn't need me tagging along."

"I wish I could just stay home and snuggle him," Nick laughed. "Seems so much easier." he then sighed. "Which reminds me I have to go call Justin again he said he was going to talk to his lawyer."

Lynn nodded her head. "Which reminds ME," she said. "Justin called a few minutes ago telling me that his lawyer found someone that is willing to look into this situation. So, yes, go and on call Justin back."

Nick laughed, "Okay thanks..." With that Nick ran upstairs, grabbed the phone and then headed into the bathroom. Grabbed the phone, dialed the number and then headed into the bathroom*

Justin put his script down as his cell started to ring. Reaching over he checked the caller ID before answering it immediately. "Hey," He greeted with a smile.

"Hey baby...you're mom said you called." Nick said as he held the phone between his ear and shoulder as he lifted the toilet seat intent on reliving his protesting bladder of all the soda he had drank earlier.

"Yeah I did," Justin said leaning over to grab the hotel pad that he'd written down information on. "I talked to Clark, my lawyer... and he said one of his good friends, a very good lawyer, is willing to check into situation. Although he wanted more information than what I was able to give him... and I told him that you'd give him a call and explain the situation, plus he's gonna want to talk to your shrink and see Aaron."

"Okay can you hold on a second before you give me the number?" Nick asked as he tried to keep in a content sigh, not really wanting to make it totally obvious what he was doing on the phone. Not that he really cared, other wise he wouldn't be doing it...but still.

"Okay," Justin said and then wrinkled his forehead when he heard the toilet flush. He then started to laugh.

"What's so funny?" Nick asked as he walked to the sink to wash his hands.

"You could have gotten to me anytime... I wasn't in a hurry..." He said.

"I know that," Nick said still not getting what Justin was talking about.

"If you had to use the bathroom, you could have called me... after you did," Justin said with a shrug, not really caring. "But um, whatever..."

"I wanted to talk to you right then...I was going through Justin withdrawal." Nick giggled as he flopped onto the bed.

"Aww," Justin said with a chuckle. "You ready now?"

Nick was about to ask what he was ready for but then remembered the phone number. He found a piece of paper on Justin's night stand and a pen to go with it. "Yup I'm ready...what is his name again?

"John," Justin said. "Merriman. He's the one you need to call and here's his number and information." Justin went about giving Nick the information he'd been given as well as the hours.

Nick wrote down everything Justin said on the paper. "Okay I'll call him tomorrow and hopefully get this mess under way." he said with a sigh, not wanting to admit it but this was really wearing him down and it hadn't even really started yet.

"It'll be okay," Justin assured him when he heard Nick sighing. "He's a really good lawyer, got great credentials and everything."

"But what if it takes more then just a really good lawyer...what if I don't have what they think I should have to be his guardian?

"You do," Justin assured him. "I mean, you're a better bet for Aaron to be with than with his own parents... or anyone else."

"I hope so...I mean I've never taken care of a kid before...let alone a teenager." Nick said making a face. "It should be interesting."

"He's your brother," Justin said. "Besides, I think he's pretty much old enough to know what's going on to make things easier on you."

"I hope so," Nick laughed but then thought of something else. "I don't think he's recovering with the addiction part of things as much as the doctors think he has. And he says his shrink would be better off as a tree."

Justin frowned and then chuckled at the last two things Nick said. "Maybe he just needs someone with experience to talk to him about drugs...?"

"Yeah he had some other select words to say about the shrink but I'm not a potty mouth so I won't repeat them." Nick giggled.

"Wow," Justin said picking up his script. "Did he complain about the shrink or no?"

Nick got a confused look on his face. "I just said he cursed up a storm about him and said he listened like a tree...that seems like complaining to me." he was now beginning to wonder if Justin was even listening to him.

"I meant to the doctors and stuff... not to you," Justin clarified.

"Oh," Nick blushed feeling bad that he automatically thought Justin wasn't listening to him." I'm not sure if he has or not."

"Only a week left so... I don't think it should matter right now." Justin said. "And then we can get him a better shrink."

"Yeah," Nick agreed and then thought he definitely needed a lighter topic. "Okay so do you have to go soon or can you talk a little longer?"

"I have to read the script for tomorrow," Justin said. "I'm half way done...So, maybe for a few more minutes?"

Nick wanted more then a few more minutes but didn't say anything. "Okay cool...so is your hotel bed comfy?" he asked then laughed at the dumb question.

"Yeah," Justin laughed. "It's comfy... although it's not my bed..."

"Yeah...your bed is comfy," Nick agreed as he flopped onto his back on said bed.

Justin narrowed his eyes. "Enjoying yourself?" He asked, jokingly.

"Yes I am," Nick giggled as he pulled Justin's pillow into his arms and hugged it.

Justin smiled as he looked down at the shirt he was wearing. It still smelled like Nick when he inhaled its scent. "Keeping it warm for me, huh?"

"Yup," Nick said as he smelled the pillow that smelled so much of Justin that it almost made his heartache. "I miss you so much...and it's only been two days."

"I know what you mean," Justin said. "But I'll see you soon enough."

"You keep saying that...but right now soon enough wouldn't be if you were just driving to the market and back." Nick said not able to keep the whine out of his voice.

Justin laughed. "You survived without me for a while there, Nick... you can do it now too," he said.

"But I don't wana," Nick pouted. It wasn't that he COULDN'T do it; it was more like he didn't want to do it.

"But ya gotta," Justin imitated Nick.

"I know," Nick said with a sigh. "Be thankful this is going on with Aaron or I would have no reason to stay and I would come up there and hold you captive."

Justin laughed. "I'll be sure to send Aaron a fruit basket or something then," he joked.

Nick rolled his eyes and then decided to get playful, just meaning it be silly nothing more. "Whatcha wearing?"

Justin rolled his eyes before he looked down and wondered if he should be honest or make something up. He chose the latter and decided to see what nick would say. "Boxers," he said.

"Just boxers?" Nick asked rather shocked. Sure, Justin was in a place that had heat…but he would have figured Justin would still be cold. "My man who hates the cold is only wearing boxers?"

Justin laughed. "Under a pair of sweats," he added. "Besides, it's nice and warm in the room and under the blankets."

Nick rolled his eyes, "Yeah well I'm only wearing the sweats and not the boxers...but what else is new."

"Are you really?" Justin asked, wondering if Nick was just wearing the sweatpants.

"Uh huh," Nick said. He was indeed just wearing sweats. He had, had a t-shirt on when he first got home but now he had it off.

Justin closed his eyes and tried to picture that scene, smiling when it was very clear in his mind. "Okay," he said, opening his eyes again. "Well, you're lucky to be in a warmer place."

Nick laughed, "Yeah and it still seems weird to me. I mean it's like in the 70s and it's February!"

"That's LA for ya," Justin said with a sigh. "I should get back to reading the script..."

Nick pouted, he didn't want to let Justin get back to the scrip, but he didn't say that. "Okay...I should go...do something too."

"Okay," Justin said. "Good night and I'll talk to you soon..."

"Good night...talk to you soon." Nick whispered.

"Love you, night Nick," Justin said as he hung up the phone and went back to reading his script.

Nick sighed as he snuggled up against the pillow even more. He knew he should go downstairs with Lynn...but he couldn't get himself to do it.

It wasn't until around nine that night that Lynn walked up to Nick's room before realizing the blonde wasn't in there. So she went to her son's room and knocked on the door. She'd just made more food, the chicken salad really not enough and wondered if Nick would want something to eat.

Nick didn't hear the knock on the door because once again he was asleep. This was something that he seemed to be doing a lot lately…maybe too often.

Lynn locked once more before he slowly opened the door and peaked inside. She saw Nick fast asleep and decided to let him be, she'll come and ask again in about an hour or two.

An hour or two later, Nick was still asleep. When he was asleep he could see Justin in his dreams and everything was okay. When he was awake Justin was gone, a court case was about to start and things were jus all around screwy.

Lynn placed the food in Tupperware and put it in the fridge, leaving a note for Nick incase he did wake up in the middle of the night, hungry, before she called it a night and went to bed; Benny accompanying her, surprisingly.

<><><><><><>

Surprisingly enough, Nick didn't wake up until close to noon the next day, and even then had to practically pull himself out of bed and head downstairs.

Lynn had ordered in a pizza for lunch was just paying the delivery boy the fee when Nick padded his way downstairs. "Are you feeling alright, sweetie?" She asked, as Nick looked... tired, still.

"Yeah," Nick said as he walked into the kitchen and to the fridge. He didn't get anything out besides a bottle of water though.

"I've got pizza, if you'd like some," She said placing the box on the counter.

The idea of food didn't sound very good to him so he politely shook his head. "Thank you...but I'm not very hungry." he said as he walked to where he had his pills sat on the counter and took them with the bottled water.

Lynn sighed and hoped to god it was something that had to do with the side effects of taking the pills. "Alright, well, it's here if you need it," she said getting herself three slices before heading out in to the living room.

Nick followed Lynn out to the living room. He didn't want to be by himself but he also didn't feel very social right now. He climbed into an over stuffed chair and tried to focus on what she was watching on TV. It was then he remembered he had to call the lawyer Justin talked about.

Lynn watched curiously as Nick disappeared back up the stairs only to return with a piece of paper in his hand as he picked up the phone and took his seat again. She turned down the volume so Nick would be better able to hear.

Nick dialed the number and waited for somebody to answer on the other end.

"Hello, office of John Merriman, this is Lacy Smith, how may I help you?" Came the voice of the secretary.

"Umm Hi my name is Nick Carter, I was giving this number from a friend. I think Mr. Merriman is expecting my call." Nick said nervously. He hated talking to big hot shot people.

Lacy took a few minutes, looking through her notes and smiled. "Yes Mr. Carter," she said. "Thank you for calling, Hold on the line for a moment while I transfer you to him." Quickly she transferred Nick over to John.

"Mr. Carter," John greeted.

"Hello, Mr. Merriman." Nick said trying to sound as polite as he could. "Thank you for being willing to speak with me."

"You're welcome," John said. "And please, call me John. I've spoken with Clark Saunders and to Mr. Timberlake last evening, there are something's, some factual evidence that I would need in order to see if I do indeed have a case here."

"What do you consider factual evidence?" Nick asked just to make sure he had this kind of evidence. He had a good feeling he did, but he didn't know for sure.

"Well, I hear that your younger brother," John paused as he looked through the information he'd been given. "Aaron Carter... has been subjected to... abuse of both physical and oral, is that right?"

"Yes, that is correct." Nick said feeling like he was twenty years older then he really was with this kind of talk and it made him slightly uncomfortable.

"I would need… pictures and an actual statement from him," John continued. "And other witnesses, if there are any..."

Nick thought about that, "I don't know about witnesses, but I'm sure you can get a picture...and he's expecting to talk to somebody."

"To the cops," John nodded. "I'll be heading down to hospital later this evening with two officers, to look into it. We've talked to the hospital personal and his doctor this morning, his session with the therapist will be cancelled."

"Okay..." Nick said not sure if there was something he was supposed to do. "Do you need me there...or do you want to do this with him alone?"

"That's what I was getting at," John laughed. "It would be better if he was with someone he can trust, and the only person that I'm aware of at the moment is you. So, if you can make it to the hospital around five this evening that would be great."

Nick looked down a this watch and noticed he still had time to hopefully wake up and get the blah feeling away. "Yes I can be there then...thank you for being willing to try and help us."

"No problem," John said. "It's my job. I'll see you later then. Have a good day Mr. Carter."

"You too, see you tonight." With that Nick hung up the phone and sat it down on the table with a weary sigh.

"I take it everything's underway?" Lynn asked softly as she looked at Nick.

Nick nodded his head, "Yeah...I'm supposed to be at the hospital at five again. Cops and lawyers..."

Lynn nodded her head. "Does Aaron know about this?" She asked.

"Yeah he does," Nick said as he rubbed at his eyes. He hated this, he hated feeling constantly tired.

"Honey, are you sure you're feeling alright?" She asked, getting all motherly. "Maybe you should eat something... It's almost twenty-four hours since you've eaten last probably."

Nick sighed, "I'm just not hungry Lynn...I have like no appetite."

Lynn frowned. "Alright sweetie, it's just... you took those medications on an empty stomach... whether or not your hungry... it's always good to have something in your stomach when taking medications."

Nick thought about that as his stomach made a grumble in protest to the medication. "You've got a point," he said making a face. The made him nauseous as it was he didn't need to make it worse. "I'll go get some pizza."

Lynn smiled, relieved. "Good, you go and do that," she said before she the notepad caught her attention. "Oh and Nick... Manny called, seems that he and Marty are heading out to a club this weekend and want to know if you wanted to go with them. He said, for you to call him back whenever you're available."

"Oh good....I don't have to work this weekend..." Just then Nick thought of something. "Oh fuck..." he cursed loudly.

Lynn was immediately on her feet, worried. "What?" She asked. "What's wrong?"

"I was supposed to work last night..." Nick said as he stood there with his hand in the pizza box his eyes wide.

"Uh oh," Lynn said making a face. "That would explain why Tim called last night looking for you... I wonder why he didn't say anything about you working last night..."

"I'm in trouble," Nick groaned as he flopped down at the kitchen table his head in his hands...pizza long forgotten.

Lynn sighed as he walked over to Nick and started to knead his shoulders. "I'm sure it'll be alright," she said, not really knowing if it would be but Nick did have a lot on his mind and too much going on in his life right now. "Well… You're dating the boss so I'm sure he'll go easy on you and not... fire you." She tried assuring him.

Nick sighed as he stood up. "I'm going to try and go down there...see if I can help them with the lunch crowed to make up for it." he said heading for the stairs. He didn't exactly have the energy but he had to try and fix this. 'As long as I get to the hospital at five I'm fine...and then back there by eight to work tonight everything is good.' he thought to himself as he forced himself up the stairs and to get dressed.

Lynn shook her head. Nick was in a no position or in the right frame of mind to actually go into work early. It would only mess things up for him. Not knowing what to do she walked over to the phone and dialed her son's number, knowing that if her son's busy he wouldn't answer the phone. She sighed when it rang but no answer was coming forth. She hung up the phone when she got the voicemail only to jump, startled, when the phone started ringing. "Hello?" She asked, a bit breathless from the scare.

"Mama?" Justin asked, concerned. "You called?"

"Yes I did...and didn't expect you to call me back so quickly," Lynn chucked softly and then got down to business. "Your boy here isn't doing so hot...I'm not sure if he's told you other wise or not. But if he has...its lies."

Shaking his head, "What?" Justin asked, not understanding what's going on. "What's wrong with Nick? And I talked to him last night... he sounded fine." He paused and remembered the voicemail he'd gotten that morning. "Does this have something to do with him not going into work last night?"

"He didn't go to work because he fell asleep around seven and didn't wake up until noon." Lynn said knowing that wasn't normal in itself. "Now he just realized the work thing and is on his way to work now to hopefully make up for not showing up last night. He then has to meet people at the hospital for the investigation. THEN go to work again tonight. He's going to exhaust himself, Justin...and I seriously see it happening."

Justin rubbed at his temples before pinching the bridge of his nose. "This is bad," he mumbled to himself before sighing. "I don't have much time here... but tell him not to go into work now... he can make up the missed night some other time. He just needs to go to the hospital and if he's feeling up to it... can go into work then... and mama, go with him, please?"

"To the hospital?" Lynn asked making sure she understood Justin correctly.

"Yes," Justin said. "I'll just have Tim keep an eye on him at the bar if Nick goes. But I gotta get going now... I'll call you later. Bye ma."

"Good bye, honey," Lynn said as she hung up the phone.

Nick came running down the stairs and the sound of keys being picked up could be heard.

"Nick," Lynn called out running out of the kitchen before Nick could run out of the house. "You don't have to go into work now to make up for it... You can make it up some other time..."

Nick shook his head, "I don't miss work...I gotta go." he said as he walked to the door. Deep down he knew he didn't have to go, but also he did have to go. If he stayed here he would fall into the depression he felt coming on even with the medication. He had to keep himself busy...if he was busy he couldn't think about how his life was being turned upside down...once again.

'Well, that went well,' Lynn said as she watched Nick head out. She quickly ran to her room and grabbed her purse before heading out the front door, making sure it was locked. "Wait up," she called after him before getting in the passenger side. "I'm coming with you then."

Nick was a little taken back by that." Coming with me to...the restaurant?"

"I won't accompany you inside, if you don't want me to," Lynn told him. "But yes, I'll go with you to the restaurant and just borrow the car till four-thirty or so and come back."

"Why?" Nick asked not understanding this at all.

"Because," Lynn said. "You haven't eaten anything... and you've got way too much going on in your head... and I want to keep an eye on you to make sure nothing's going to happen. Besides, you look like you could use another centuries worth of sleep."

Nick couldn't help but roll his eyes a little, he wasn't in a very good frame of mind and Lynn was beginning to get on his nerves. "How are you supposed to watch me if you're out shopping?" he asked as he pulled out of the drive with the older woman in the car anyway.

"Don't snap at me young man," Lynn said in a stern voice. "I said, I won't accompany you inside, if you didn't want me to... there's always Tim or someone inside I could get to keep an eye on you. And who said anything about me shopping?" She rolled her eyes, looking out the window.

Once in the parking lot of the restaurant Nick turned to look at Lynn. "I'm glad you care about me...but I don't need a babysitter, I'm old enough to fuckin take care of myself!" he exclaimed not realizing just HOW moody he had gotten.

Lynn patiently looked at Nick. "Sure you are," she said, smiling kindly. "Now hand over the keys." She held her hand out.

"Whatever," Nick said as he put the keys in Lynn's hand. He then got out of the car and headed into the restaurant. Once inside he walked over to where Tim was. "Yo dude...I am SO sorry about last night."

Tim looked over at Nick with a raised eye brow. "Did you get smashed or something?" He asked, taking in Nick appearance. Just then the phone rang and he held his finger up to Nick indicating to give him a minute. Answering the phone he frowned when he heard Lynn's voice and then nodded his head as she kindly asked him to keep an eye on Nick who isn't all up to par that day. He promised her discreetly before hanging up the phone and going back to Nick.

"I know that was Mother Teresa and I don't need you to watch me. I'm fine." Nick spat as he walked around behind the counter. "I'm just going to make up last night until four thirty."

Tim took in a deep breath before shaking his head. This guy was really weird. "I don't know what you're going to accomplish by staying here for a few hours but whatever... did Justin ask you to come in or something, because he hadn't called me back about it."

"No I haven't talked to my boyfriend today." Nick replied not realizing what he just said. His brain was fried, he wasn't thinking straight at all.

Tim dropped the glass he had been drying at what Nick said, his eyes wide as he looked at Nick with shock. "What?" He squeaked getting the attention of the few customers near by but thankfully not close enough to actually hear what he and Nick were talking about. He then wondered if Justin even knew he was dating Nick because Nick looked like he was making this shit up, obviously high on something. He wasn't this mean or rude or arrogant a few nights ago when they met.

"What...what?" Nick asked still not sure what in the world he had just said.

"Uhhh," Tim said not really knowing what to do now. They had a strict policy and one of the rules was that the employees must not come into work drunk or high... or drink or do drugs on the job and well... Nick seemed to be having a problem in the former area. "I'll uh, be right back." With that he quickly went into the small room off to the side of the bar and picked up the phone, dialing Justin's number in a panic. He rambled everything that happened from Nick walking into the restaurant to Lynn calling him to what Nick just told him. He told Justin that he thinks Nick high on something and his wistful thinking is making him think that they were dating. And before he hung up the phone he begged Justin to call him back as soon as he got the message. Hanging up the phone he took in a deep breath before opening the door and walking back out to see Nick serving a few customers that showed up.

The good thing was, Nick was actually doing his job perfectly fine and interacting with the customers like he always would.

Tim wondered if maybe he was the one that was on something when he saw Nick and how he acted normal. And then wondered if it was HIS own fault... maybe his ears heard the wrong thing coming out of Nick's mouth. But taking a careful look at Nick he could tell he still looked worn out and that right there told him he hadn't imagined things. Sighing, he went and stood next to Nick... helping him out with the other customers.

Nick actually survived working until four-thirty and put the bottle he had been using back. "Okay man...I've gotta go but I will be back at eight." he said as he headed for the door. He had called Lynn an hour ago and told her to make sure she was back with his car by four thirty.

Tim watched wearily as Nick walked out of the restaurant, a little scared to know what tonight was going to be like.

Lynn was waiting in the parking lot for Nick, with a very unimpressed look on her face. The boy had some nerve calling her like that and demanding things before hanging up the phone without giving her a moment to get a word in edgewise.

Nick hopped into the passenger side of the car and rested his weary head back against the seat. His eyes closed as he attempted to get a little tiny piece of rest so he could handle what was about to happen.

Without saying much of anything Lynn drove them towards the hospital before parking the car in the parking lot. She wondered if she should go and accompany Nick inside, knowing she'd promised Justin that she would but if Nick didn't need her or much less want her around then she'd just read her book in the car. "We're here," she said, when Nick hadn't opened his eyes yet.

Nick had actually fallen asleep on the fifteen minute drive to the hospital.

Lynn sighed as she leaned over and gently shook his shoulder. "Nick... we're at the hospital..."

Nick opened his eyes and sighed. "Okay," he said as he stretched his arms over his head. He then got out of the car and when Lynn didn't make any move to get out he poked his head back in. "You comin?"

"I'm not sure if I should," Lynn replied. "After all you're a grown man and don't need a babysitter."

"You're right I don't but moral support is appreciated." Nick whispered.

Lynn shook her head as he grabbed her purse and got out of the car. She quickly alarmed the car she following Nick into the hospital. They both then headed into the elevator before taking it up to Aaron's floor. Just as they stepped out and headed down the hall they saw two L.A.P.D officers standing outside of Aaron's door.

Nick didn't like this; he hated cops having had run-ins with them back in Indiana a few times. Taking a deep breath he moved a little closer to Lynn for comfort before walking up to them. "Excuse me...but I'm Nick Carter..."

Both the officers looked at Nick and saw that he resembled the young man inside and smiled politely at him before stepping aside. "Merriman is already inside, we were just waiting for you to arrive," one of the officers say while the other one looked curiously at Lynn who just smiled at the men and walked into the room behind Nick.

Aaron's heart was pounding, and he was sweating but he sat on his hands so that no one could see how badly they were shaking. Sure, this Merriman guy was really nice and Aaron could tell the man really wanted to help him but all this going one was just a little too much and he needed some coke, no, some meth to calm him down; badly.

Nick walked over to Aaron's side, "Hey bro," he saw his hands shaking and took them in his. "It's going to be okay...I'm here."

Nick walked over to Aaron's side and took a seat on the edge of his bed hoping to bring him some comfort because he could tell Aaron was close to freaking out. "Okay...so how do we go about doing this?"

One of the cops walked into the room and the other shut the door behind them. "We're going to need to fill some paper work out to state that you want a formal complaint and case done against Mr. and Mrs. Carter."

John got up from the chair he was sitting in and looking over some of his own paper work before putting that aside and going to greet Nick. "Hello, Mr. Carter," he said. "I'm John Merriman and this is Officer Brody. I've already looked over the paper work and if you want we can go through it together to make sure you understand everything that's going to happen from here on..."

"Thank you that would be nice," Nick said with a smiled and then shook the man's hand. He then looked over at Lynn. "This is Lynn Harless...a umm...friend's mom." he said really hating to lie to a lawyer and cops that wasn't good at all.

Lynn smiled politely before she shook Merriman's and the Officer Brody's hand before going over to the other side of Aaron's bed and out of there way. Aaron looked ready to either puke or soak the bed. Her motherly instincts kicking in she wrapped an arm around his shoulders and reassured him that everything's going to be alright, that everyone here were there to help him. He just needed to relax some and let his brother handle everything unless he had to answer their questions.

"Have a seat," John told Nick as he gestured towards the small table, placing the papers that needed to be filled out on top before taking a seat. It was at that moment someone else walked into the room introducing herself as Clarise Sharman, Nick's therapist.

Aaron leaned into Lynn's touch only to groan at the amount of people in his room.

It took about half an hour but soon Nick had all the paper work filled out and it was time for questions to be answered.

John turned his attention to Aaron. "Son, I know this isn't easy but I need you to answer my questions honestly...okay?" he asked in a soft comforting sound voice.

Aaron nodded his head and took in a deep breath. He sat up straighter in bed and gave his attention to John. "Okay," he answered. He watched as the cops look out a tape recorder to record his statements and Nick's therapist doing the same thing but also took out her notepad. He took in a deep breath and blinked randomly before squinting his eyes to get a better look at John.

"Has your father or mother ever hit you?" John asked still keeping the same gentle tone to his voice.

Nick was back at Aaron's side on the other side that Lynn wasn't. He didn't say anything; just let Aaron answer the questions.

"Bob," Aaron said as he nodded his head. "Yes, he has."

"Do you have any marks on your body from where this happened?" John asked, knowing they had to take the boy's word for it because all kids got marks. Then again it all depended on the marks.

Aaron looked around the room, a little uncomfortable but nodded his head anyways and leaned forward. He took his hands away from underneath him and reached behind to untie the string to the hospital down before letting the top fall off, revealing his back.

Lynn gasped, as tears filler her eyes. Quickly she looked away before she actually reached over and hugged the boy to her and cried on his behalf. She moved out of the way when John came to her side to see himself and she could tell he was feeling the same way she was.

John took a deep breath as he looked at the scars of what was obviously belt whippings. "Brody can you take a picture of these please?" he asked the cop who came over and took a picture.

"It's okay Bro," Nick said knowing this was really hard on his brother, it was hard on all of them.

Once the questioning from John was done, Clarise came in and did a little session with Aaron to get some more information. By the time everything was finished it was five to eight.

Nick swallowed hard, totally raw from the day. "I've gotta get going...I need to be at work at eight, so I'm already late."

Aaron was lying back against his bed that had the top portion raised. "Okay, Night Nick," he said in a soft voice.

"We'll be heading out as well," John said putting his things away. "And let you get some rest. You have a good night Aaron." Following his suite Clarise and Brody said the same thing before walking out of the room, talking amongst themselves about what they'd learned today.

Aaron was a bit close to tears, after all that he didn't want to be alone that night but Nick had to work but he sucked it up and gave his brother a smile. "I'll see you later?" Before he looked over at Lynn and thanking her for her comfort, he really liked that.

Nick pulled Aaron in for a long hug, "Good night Bro...I love you so much." he said not wanting to let Aaron go.

Aaron hugged his brother just as tight, whispering, "I love you too," before pulling back and fighting to keep the tears in their place.

Lynn sniffled a little before gently squeezing Aaron's hand and wishing him a good night and kissing his forehead. She then followed Nick out the door and let out a deep breath, those past few hours took a lot out of her and she couldn't begin to imagine how Nick and Aaron must he feeling.

"I have to work until 2am...you can drop me off at work and I'll get a ride or take a cab home." Nick said not wanting Lynn to have to stay around waiting for him.

"Are you sure?" Lynn questioned. "I could just call for a cab right now that way you can take the car."

"No it's okay," Nick said with a small smile. "I would rather have you take the car."

"Well, okay," Lynn said as they got to the car and once again she took the drivers seat. Once Nick was settled in she drove them off to the restaurant all the while replaying everything that happened in the last few hours.

Thankfully this time Nick had managed to stay awake and once at work he hopped out. "I'll see you tomorrow then, good night and thanks." with that he ran into the

"Night Nick," Lynn said before pulling out from the restaurant and heading home. Once there she grabbed took a quick shower, changed into her nightwear, made herself a small snack, went into her room and dialed her son's number to bring him up to date with everything that happened, even though she was sure Nick would do it tomorrow or whenever they did talk.

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It was a little over a week later and Aaron was released from the hospital into the capable hands of his big brother. After some harsh things, Nick had temporary custody of Aaron until the court trial could come into play. Then they would know for sure if Aaron would come to stay for good.

"Do you want me to show you your room? Or do you want something to eat?" Nick asked the smaller blonde as they walked into the house.

"Both?" Aaron said chuckling. "Please tell me you got Lynn to teach you how to make some of her fried chicken and the other stuff she brought in for lunch?"

"Actually no...But I could cook something else." Nick laughed as he led Aaron upstairs to the room he was going to be using. "This is your room...Justin and I are just across the hall."

Aaron chuckled as he saw his duffle bag and book bag by the desk. "I know," he said going over to his book bag and picked it up and handed it over to Nick. "There's a pocket inside... all the way at the bottom..." He paused to take in a deep breath. "Could you take care of the stuff that's in there?" He asked. That was a step up, getting rid of all the stashes of drugs he had on him albeit he wasn't the one doing it but that's as close to it as he was going to get.

Nick was confused for a second but quickly got what Aaron was talking about. "Sure," he said as he got into the backpack and pulled out two baggies of white powder, something in a syringe and then a bunch of different pills. He took a deep breath as he carried the items to the bathroom and flushed them down the toilet including the needle. He had never asked Aaron, but now he was wondering...had the boy done intravenous drugs?

Aaron let out a breath when he heard the toilet flush before flopping down on the bed, happy for the comfort that it had unlike the hospital bed. He let out a content sigh and stared up at the ceiling, thinking back to what felt like years ago; but was only a few weeks, to when Kelly and Eddie brought him here.

Nick came walking back into the room and flopped onto the bed next to Aaron. "Can I ask you somthin?" he asked propping himself up on his elbow so he was looking at his brother.

"Yeah..." Aaron said turning his head slightly to the side and looking up at his brother.

"I noticed the needle...were you using them?" Nick asked gently.

Aaron shook his head. "No... but was thinking about it," he answered truthfully.

Nick let out a sigh of relief, thankful for that. He knew from personal experience all the problems that could come from IV drug use. "Good..." he then thought of something else on the same train of thought. "How about sex...unprotected?" He knew how easy that was when you were high on something.

Aaron took in a deep breath. "I've used condoms Nick," he said nodding his head. "Always had."

"So the pregnancy scare...it broke or something?" Nick asked just being the protective brother and plus he wanted Aaron to feel he could always talk to him about stuff like this.

Aaron nodded his head. "Yeah, it broke," he said.

"Okay," Nick said with a small smile. "I wasn't meaning to think you were irresponsible...but I just know you do some pretty crazy dumb things when under the influence."

"I've seen it with the people I was with," Aaron said. "I mean, it was usually around guys or I'd do it when I'm all alone."

Nick laughed, "Which in your case is a good thing. If I was around guys while doing drugs...bad things happened."

Aaron made a face at that. "Well, you don't have to think about that now."

"Nope, cuz now I only do that stuff with one person." Nick said and then laughed at the face that Aaron made at that too. "What...am I grosin you out?"

"Worse, you're making me imagine things and I'm scarring myself for life," Aaron said shaking his head and sitting up before playfully smacking Nick's arm.

Nick laughed as he too sat up, "So what do you want me to make you for lunch?"

"Anything," Aaron said with a big smile. "That's edible."

"You know I can cook." Nick said with a pout. "Nobody appreciates me," he mumbled playfully as he walked out of the room.

Aaron sighed. "Nick, the last time you cooked for me," he said. "My food imitated coal... although once you got down past the first few layers... it tasted pretty good."

"The last time I cooked for you I was fifteen," Nick pointed out with a laugh. "I've been on my own a lot since then I do know how to cook. If not call Justin and he'll tell you other wise."

"I've talked to him last night," Aaron said with a smile not at all realizing that Nick and Justin hadn't talked for a while. He walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge, looking through it to see if he wanted anything.

Nick was a little taken back by that. "You talked to him?" he asked. He hadn't talked to Justin for almost three days now. Every time he called him he only got the voice mail.

"Yeah," Aaron replied scratching his head. "He called to ask about me being let out of the hospital and how I was doing. Said he was sorry that he couldn't be there to welcome me home but promised to make up for it sometime later or something. Hey, I could go for a meaty sandwich."

"Okay," Nick said as he got all the stuff out and made a sandwich for Aaron, all the while wondering how Justin had time to call his brother but hadn't even answered his messages.

Aaron sat at the island as he watched Nick make him a sandwich before he heard the familiar purring of Benny. "I think he's hungry too... did you place a litter box on each floor?"

Nick laughed, "Yeah I did...you seriously freaked me out about him having a heart attack." he said as he handed Aaron his sandwich before going about feeding Benny.

"Thanks," Aaron said as he took the sandwich and took a big bite out of it.

Once Benny was fed Nick went about making himself a sandwich all the while still thinking about Justin.

"Is everything Ok bro?" Aaron asked, when Nick hadn't said anything for a few minutes.

"Yeah..." Nick simply said not wanting to make Aaron feel bad for mentioning his talk with Justin.

"So what are we gonna do today?" Aaron asked, licking his fingers when a bit of honey mustard dripped out.

Nick shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know...what would you like to do?"

Aaron shrugged. "I don't know," he said with a sigh. "I'm good for whatever."

"Well...why don't you unpack your stuff...and I'm going to make a few phone calls." Nick suggested. "Then we can think about what we want to do."

"Okay," Aaron said thinking something was off but then again, what does he know? He finished off his sandwich and washed it down with a glass of Sprite before heading up to his room to unpack his stuff.

Nick headed upstairs to his room and sat on the edge of the bed. He dialed Justin's cell number. He was beginning to get ticked off now.

Justin excused himself from his co-stars for a minute when he felt his cell vibrating. Walking over to his trailer and entered it. "Hello?" He asked knowing it was Nick and knowing he had to answer.

"Wow you actually answer your phone." Nick stated, not sounding pleased...because he wasn't.

"Yeah, I wasn't as busy at the moment," Justin replied.

"Well I'm glad cuz I was getting sick of leaving messages that were never getting returned." Nick said seriously wondering why Justin hadn't wanted to talk to him...because that was obviously what was going on.

"Sorry," Justin apologized and he was but he had been a little too ticked off to call him back.

"Why?" Nick asked, not understanding why in the world Justin would be upset with him. He hadn't done anything.

"Do you remember anything about that night a few days ago... when you decided to go into work to make up for missing out the previous night?" He asked.

"A LOT happened that day." Nick pointed out, mostly only remembering what happened at the hospital.

Justin sighed. "What about what happened when you went in early?" He asked. "Do you remember what you said to Tim?"

Nick thought about that and then remembered saying something not very nice about Justin's mom...was that what Justin was upset about. He had already apologized up and down to Lynn how he had acted that day. "Justin...I said a lot of stupid stuff that day, I've already apologized." he said still thinking Justin was mad about Lynn

"You don't remember do you?" He asked. "I'm talking about what you said to TIM... what you said in reference to ME!"

Nick tried to think hard, he didn't remember mostly because he had no idea he said it. "I'm sorry I don't."

"Hang up the phone, call my cell back, punch in my password and listen to the second message," Justin replied and then gave Nick the access code to his voice mail.

"Okay," Nick said as he hung up the phone and did what Justin said. When he came to the message Tim left his eyes went wide. He had said THAT...oh shit. He couldn't believe he had been THAT out of it. Taking a deep breath he called Justin back.

"Now do you remember?" Justin asked once he answered the phone.

"No...I don't remember saying that." Nick answered honestly. "But that doesn't mean I didn't." he sighed, not sure what to say.

"That's comforting to know," Justin said wondering what else Nick had said that night that he didn't remember.

Nick groaned, "You're making it sound like I went out and got drunk and told everybody our secrets!"

"I wouldn't be too far now would I?" Justin said and then sighed. "Look, I'm sorry... but with everything going on... and then me getting that voice message... I just wasn't expecting that."

Nick wasn't sure how to take an apology that had something rude like that before it. "There is a big difference Justin. I didn't go out and get myself intoxicated. I was on prescription medication that made me act out of the ordinary."

Justin knew that too but he couldn't help but be ticked off. He was lucky that it was only Tim that was there that night, and that Nick was on meds... that gave him an excuse. But there usually were reporters or paparazzi and other celebs that frequent the restaurant... what if they had caught that remark?

"And why did you even go to work when I specifically told my mom to tell you to stay home?"

Nick ran a hand through his hair. "I Fucked up okay…the whole day was just fucked up. I didn't do any of it on purpose. I went to work because I though it was the best thing to do. I wasn't thinking rationally!" he exclaimed getting upset but mostly at himself...even though he really didn't have a reason to.

Justin sighed when there was a knock on the door before the one of the crew men popped his head in telling him that he was needed in five. He told him that he'd be there before he went back to his phone call. "Nick...I get that it wasn't intentional... I get that you were on your meds... I get that it has its side effects... I can forgive you for snapping at my mom... but if the press or someone gets wind of this, I...I'm just not ready to deal with that. I need to have stability and a better understanding of where I stand before I actually come out and say something. I don't want to be put in a situation when I have to lie about us."

"I know that...you make it seem like I go out and start telling everybody everything." Nick said really beginning to get upset. "You ever think that I'M not ready for you to come out either. Yeah it would fuck up your career but I have NO idea how to be in the spotlight like that. You say you don't want to deal with this with all your shit...well I have shit too. Now go out and make your movie."

"It's all in the package Nick," Justin said in a defeated tone. "You knew what you were getting into when we started this thing with us. Spotlight will come to you when you expect it or when you don't." he took in a deep breath. "If you didn't want to deal with my shit well, I suggest you rethink all this and get back to me when you've come to a decision. Bye."

He hung up the call and took in a few deep breaths not believing he'd just done that and totally knowing that he was going to mess up his lines.

Nick wasn't going to let that happen. He quickly dialed Justin back. He knew he had to do something probably shoot a scene, but this was important. HE could say there was some family emergency or some shit.

"Hey it's Justin and obviously I'm busy right now. You know what to do and I'll call back when I can."

"You know who this is...and you better call me back when you can. You totally misunderstood every single thing I just said. I care about your shit...I was just pointing out that *I* have shit too and having to deal with all of it hasn't been easy. You said you didn't want to have to deal with what happened with all your shit...well I have shit too. I know what I got myself into the minute I agreed to being your boyfriend, and well I think you need to think about the fact of YOU know what YOU got yourself into. I'm going out tonight...you can try and call me...but I might be too busy for you."

With that said Nick hung up the phone, too angry to be moping about being in a fight with Justin. He was beyond that...this time they both had issues with each other. It wasn't just one sided.

Taking a deep breath he got up and headed out of the room. He then went across the hall and poked his head into Aaron's room, now wondering if he heard him yelling.

Aaron was seated on the end of the bed, staring at the opened bedroom door. He didn't have too much to unpack so he had been done for a while. He'd heard Nick's side of the argument with who he guessed was Justin and didn't know what to think of it. "When you going out tonight?" he asked in a neutral voice.

"Huh?" Nick asked, forgetting what he had said at the end of the message he has left.

"You said you were going out tonight," Aaron scratched his head wondering if he heard it wrong, after all his hearing wasn't all that great. "I was just wondering where and when." Not that it really mattered because he knew he was too young to go anywhere his brother probably wanted to go and he didn't mind.

"I might go see if Manny and Marty want to go out." Nick said with a sigh as he sat down next to Aaron. "But if you want me to stay home with you...that's perfectly fine. I mean it is your first night back. It would be really shitty of me to leave you here."

Aaron shrugged. He really didn't care ever which way. "You go out and have some fun bro, looks like you need it," he said with a chuckle. "Don't worry about me... I can take care of myself... besides I know Justin's got a shit-load of DVD's in the movie room that I can't wait to watch."

"That he does," Nick said with a sigh. "Sorry you had to hear...all that in there." he said pointing out the door meaning in his room.

"Every old couple has their moments of bickering and quarreling," Aaron said with a shrug as he kept a straight face. "That's understandable."

"I know...I just hate being the one that is doing it." Nick said running a hand through his hair. "Never date anybody famous...its not easy."

Aaron laughed at that. "Even if I'm not serious about it?" he asked.

"I don't suggest fucking around with a famous person either," Nick laughed. "Then again I've never done it."

Aaron shrugged. "Maybe I'll have better luck with women, who knows," he said. "Anyways... Where and when you going? And you better be home before midnight or I'm having the whole LAPD after you."

Nick rolled his eyes playfully, "Yes DAD." he laughed. "I don't know yet I still have yet to contact people."

"Well, whatever it is..." Aaron laughed.

"I'm going to go make those phone calls now." Nick said as he headed back across the hall to his and Justin's room. Once there he got an almost naughty idea. He knew it was low...but that was how he was thinking right now. Picking the phone back up he walked to Justin's desk, found an address book, looked up the number and then dialed.

JC reached over and grabbed the cordless from the coffee table as he checked the caller ID. He frowned when he saw Justin's home number on the display... wasn't Justin in Toronto? "Hey" he greeted figuring he would start off with a casual greeting.

"Hey JC...it's Nick...from Chi." Nick introduced himself, feeling odd saying. 'Nick...Justin's boyfriend.

JC raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Hey," he said the surprise evident in his tone. "To what... do I owe this... uh, surprise call?" He asked.

"Well I remembered you were back in town, and wanted to know if you wanted to go out with myself and a few friends?" Nick asked knowing he still had to talk to Marty and Manny but he had a good feeling they would be willing.

"Um," JC said wondering what possessed Nick to actually CALL him. "Is...Justin there with you?" He asked, frowning.

"No he's in Toronto." Nick said as he went around looking to see what he could wear to go out clubbing.

"And you're calling me to see if I wanted to go out with you and a few friends tonight?" JC asked, just wanting to make sure he was hearing things correctly.

Nick laughed, "Yes that's what I'm asking."

JC was a bit weary. Nick hadn't wanted anything to do with him before and now he was calling him and acting like they were actually buddy-buddy. "Sure," he said, mostly out of curiosity. "What the hell, better than staying home and watching movies that I hadn't had time to watch?" He laughed.

"Okay then...well I need to get in touch with my friends again and figure out details but I'll call you back once I do." Nick said with a smile. He knew this was bad...but he didn't care.

Once he heard the dial tone JC pulled the phone away from his ear and stared at it. Thinking he would call Justin, just in case to make sure so he doesn't end up with his manhood chopped off, he dialed Justin's number only to get his voicemail. He left a quick message basically saying that Nick had called and invited him along to go out clubbing with his friends and that he'd said yes. He promised not to try anything with

Nick before hanging up the phone and going up to his room to take figure out what to wear.

<><><><><>

At around ten thirty Nick pulled up to the front of 'Element' a dance club that everybody had been raving about. Justin had actually been there a few times. "Okay we're here he said to Manny and Marty who had driven with him. They would be meeting JC there.

"Great," Manny said hopping out of the car and looking at the club. "Funky looking place," he commented as he hooked his thumbs in the belt loops of his jeans. "Does anyone see JC around?"

JC had just pulled up into the VIP parking lot of the club and got out of the car before making his way over to the group of three men standing by one of the car. "Hey," he said.

"Hey," Nick said with a smile. "Have you met Marty and Manny?" he asked not sure if they had been introduced before.

"Marty yes," JC said shaking the other man's hand. "Manny, nope," He shook Manny's hand and politely said hello before he turned his attention towards the club. "We ready to go in?" He asked nodding over to the building.

Marty kept his hand tightly in Manny's. Thankfully he knew this club so it wasn't going to be too difficult to get Manny in.

"Yeah let's go," Nick said as he followed JC to the VIP entrance so there weren't any huge long lines.

Just as they were walking through one of the paparazzi near by started snapping pictures of JC and shouting out to get his attention. It also brought in the attention of a local celebrity circuit show, 'Extra' as they quickly got their mic's to JC asking about the next NSYNC album, if there was any or has the group called it quits. JC put on a perfected smile before kindly but quickly answering their questions, and ushered Nick, Marty, and Manny inside, letting out a breath of relief when they were inside and away from the flashes. "After that... I need a drink," he said shaking his head. "Anyone want anything?"

Manny smiled. "I'll have a Bacardi."

JC eyed him suspiciously. "You would now, really?"

"Okay, I'll have a glass of Coke with ice." Manny sighed.

"Don't worry Manny...I'm not drinking anything with a kick tonight either." Nick said as he patted Manny on the back.

"Can I get the Bacardi?" Marty asked and then whispered in Manny's ear. "I'll let you have some sips."

Manny smiled.

JC rolled his eyes as he chuckled. "Coming right up," he said as he headed over to the bar and ordered one glass of Bacardi, one glass of coke with ice, and one glass of rum and coke. Once he got those he weaved through the crowd and found the guys sitting in a booth nearby.

It was then he remembered Nick hadn't ordered anything and he made a face. "Shit I'm so sorry... did you want anything?" he asked, looking at Nick.

Nick shook his head, "I'm okay for now...and I can go get something when I want It." he said with a smile.

Marty took a sip of his drink and sighed, it had been a while since he had drunk anything alcoholic. "This is nice," he said leaning back in his seat, arm lying over the top of the booth and hand resting on Manny's shoulder.

"Okay." JC took a seat next to Nick as he sipped his drink and looked around to see if he noticed anyone familiar. There were a few that he did but none that he wanted to greet without having a few drinks in his system first and maybe then he'll consider going over to them. He smiled to himself when he saw Marty let Manny sip from his glass. "How long have you two been together?" He asked, curious.

Marty swallowed what he had drank and then answered JC's question. "About three weeks."

Nick laughed, "They are still in the newlywed stage." he teased.

Manny stuck his tongue out at Nick before continuing to smile.

JC laughed at that. "That's cool, man," he said taking another sip of his drink. "Are you guys gonna go and dance or something?"

"Yeah...are we?" Marty asked his young boyfriend.

"Well it is a club," Manny said with a shrug, "Yes, why not?"

JC rubbed his chin as he looked back out into the crowd and spotted a tall, dark, and handsome type of guy with long hair pulled back into a ponytail standing near the bar talking to someone he could barely see…Hmm.

"Would you like to dance too?" Nick asked JC after a few minutes and Marty and Manny had left and were already out shaking it up.

JC looked over at Nick. "Yeah," he said but didn't know how to say, 'there's no way I'm getting close to you. The last thing I want is for Justin to write a song about it and get a look-alike of me and make a stalkerish video out of it.' "But not right now, if you want to go ahead and dance, go right on ahead."

Nick scrunched up his face in confusion but shrugged and got up. "Okay...whatever." he said as he headed onto the dance floor and over to where Marty and Manny were grinding against each other. "You two really don't need to be fucking on the dance floor, he teased."

Marty gave Nick the finger as he continued to dance in the same fashion, and it was obvious Manny didn't care either.

JC watched Nick head over to where Marty and Manny were before he diverted his gaze over to the guy that had his attention earlier. He smiled to himself when he saw that man checking out a guy and that right there told him it was safe to approach him. Quickly he got up and weaved his way through the crowd and over to this man and causally greeted him not at all thinking how this might look to Nick who had just asked if he wanted to dance only to have him respond with something close to a 'no.'

Nick noticed JC approaching the other man out of the corner of his eye and then going out on the dance floor. He didn't know why but he felt a pang of jealously and sadness go through him. It wasn't like JC came with him as a date...he had his own boyfriend, JC just needed to find one too. Shaking those thoughts away he concentrated on dancing with his other two friends and a few people who had gathered around joining them.

<><><><><>

It wasn't until eleven thirty or so that they all found themselves back at the booth with JC's new guest. He introduced them to the group as Kevin before asking each of them what they wanted to drink or even eat. Manny asked for a bottle of water and Kevin agreed he should get the same as well. "Nick? Marty?"

"Sparkling water," Nick replied.

"Coke," Marty answered thinking one alcoholic drink was good for him.

"Will be right back," JC said as he headed back over to the bar and ordered everyone's drinks before making his way back. He got a bottle of Coca Cola for himself.

"So Kevin..." Nick said turning to the newcomer. "You come here a lot?"

Kevin looked up at Nick and nodded his head before shrugging. "Whenever I'm in town," he replied with a smile, "Which is usually a few days a month."

JC looked a bit surprised at the turn of conversation to Kevin but went with it, having already asked Kevin all of this while they were dancing.

Manny, on the other hand, leaned into Marty content as he drank his water.

"Oh...where do you normally live?" Nick asked curiously.

Marty wrapped his arms around Manny as he too contently drank his drink and listened to the conversation.

"Two places actually... Kentucky and New York City but I also have a place out here in LA," Kevin replied. "You seem new here too... you live around here or...visitin?" He looked between JC and the other two guys.

Manny picked his head up from Marty's shoulder. "We live here," he said. "Nick's just moved here a few weeks ago."

"Yeah...I just moved from Indiana a few weeks ago," Nick said adding in a little more information then what Manny said. "I've never been to Kentucky...but New York is nice." he said actually impressed that he could finally say he knew what New York was like.

"Are you in the business?" Marty asked, thinking the man looked really familiar but he couldn't place why. He also knew Kevin would know what he meant by 'in the business'.

"Well not exactly," Kevin said with a slight shrug. "I write songs for a few people and I do some Broadway stuff on the side but my full time jobs are being a lawyer and a spokesperson for my Just Within Reach environmental organization."

"Oh that's cool..." Nick said with a smile, wondering what kind of lawyer stuff Kevin did...just in case he ever needed another one besides John.

"What do you guys do?" Kevin asked, looking around the table. He already knew about JC, who didn't?

"Nothing," Manny said, smiling. "I'm still in college."

"I'm a dancer," Marty replied after he swallowed, "Right now taking a break since we just got off tour."

"I'm a bartender." Nick answered with a smile.

Kevin nodded his head. "That's nice," he said with a smile. "You're with... Justin, I presume then?" He asked looking at Marty when he mentioned touring. No wonder the man looked familiar... he'd seen him a few times in Justin's entourage before.

Marty nodded his head, "Yeah I am," he replied.

Speaking of Justin made Nick wonder what his boyfriend thought of the message he had left. He was glad he hadn't just apologized to not cause a problem. He wasn't happy and Justin needed to know that.

"And he's not here?" Kevin looked confused for a moment. "Or is he holed himself in the studio for a second go-around with the album or something?"

"Nope," JC spoke up, shaking his head. "He's in Toronto... taking a whole other direction. He's working on a movie."

"So he's trying to conquer all aspects of the industry huh?" Kevin chuckled, Mickey Mouse Club, Boy-band, Heartthrob, Dated pop princess, Solo artist, and now Movie star, all there was left to this was a model.

"I'm sure he could pull that one off too," Nick laughed actually thinking Nick would make a really NICE model.

Marty laughed, "He would." he agreed and then pouted when Manny elbowed him playfully in the side. "HEY!"

"Yeah...and I'm sure he could do it too," Nick said with a smile having all faith in his boyfriend that he could do anything he set his mind to.

"I want to see him be a model," Marty laughed and then yelped when Manny kicked him playfully under the table.

Manny got a satisfied smirk on his face and took a drink from his bottle, acting innocent.

JC chuckled. "Uh huh, look what you started."

Kevin looked at Manny and Marty. "I didn't start anything." He reached over and nudged his shoulder with JC's. "So, what are all of your plans for tonight?"

"Dancing away my sorrows," Nick laughed.

Marty looked at Nick funny, he knew something had been up with his friend, but now he knew for sure. WHAT was wrong was another question.

"Sorrows?" Manny, Kevin, and JC asked at the same time before looking at each other with a chuckle.

Nick laughed, "Dang there is an echo in here." he teased his friends...and new friend. "Let's just say relationship issues." he said knowing 3 out of the 4 would know who he was talking about.

JC narrowed his eyes as he looked at Nick suddenly feeling a little angry. So, THAT's why Nick called him and asked to go out that night... because he was having issues with Justin? Humph!

Manny, on the other hand, looked concerned. The last time he'd left Nick, he had been sulking over missing Justin and now they were having...issues?

Kevin just sat there, lost. And it suited him, because he just met these people a few seconds ago so he didn't know anything about them and so being lost was natural.

"Oh, nothing too serious, I hope?" Manny asked.

"I don't think so," Nick assured Manny knowing the other man was sensitive...quite frankly just like him. He glanced at JC and gave him a confused look because the man was glaring at him...why was he glaring at him?

JC rolled his eyes, happy that he decided to let the fear of losing his friendship with Justin or the potential of being outted through one of Justin's angry song or video make him not dance with Nick. "Well, that's good to hear," he said trying to be polite before he looked back at Kevin. "So, um... feel like dancing some more?"

Kevin nodded his head as he smiled at the other men. "Excuse us," he said as he got up and followed JC out to the dance floor.

"Why do I feel like he did that to spite me?" Nick mumbled as he watched JC head out onto the dance floor with Kevin. It wasn't like he was there with JC as a date...but he had invited him...isn't it just the nice thing to do...dance with the person that invited you?

"Okay...I'm confused," Marty laughed, he had seen the looks JC was giving Nick and didn't understand why he would be doing something like that.

Manny looked at Nick knowing that he could ask questions regarding him and Justin now without worrying about Kevin or JC. "What kind of issues are we talking about here?" He asked, curiously.

"You know the new meds I've been put on?" Nick asked and when both Marty and Manny nodded he continued. "Well they have some odd side effects in the first few months like being tired constantly, but yet not being able to sleep at night, mood swings and things like that. Well one night last week I fell asleep at seven and didn't wake up until noon the next day. I was supposed to have worked that night. When I realize this I decided to go into work that morning to make up for it. Well, I guess I was really tired and not acting myself and said something to Tim my boss that I shouldn't have said and now Justin is pissed at me." he rambled.

Manny's eyes widened. "I'm sure it wasn't... I mean, what did you say to Tim that could have Justin pissed at you?" He knew from what he'd seen and been told, Justin usually kept his cool and not get pissed. Annoyed and irritated, maybe but pissed at his lover... that was a whole other ball game. What, did Nick come on to Tim or something?

"I happened to mention that Justin was my boyfriend." Nick said softly. He was upset at himself for doing it, but he hadn't known what he was saying other wise there was not a chance in the world he would have.

Marty's eyes went wide, "Oh shit..." he wasn't really sure what else to say.

Manny went silent. Okay, that would be one of the things that could get Justin pissed. He sighed. That was not good. "What happened after?" He asked softly.

"He didn't call me for close to three days. I kept calling and left messages. I mean when he didn't call me back I just assumed he was really busy. Well Aaron this morning told me that he had talked to Justin the night before and that was when I realized...he had the time he just wasn't calling me." Nick said and it was obvious he wasn't happy about this.

"He was purposely not calling you?" Marty asked...thinking that didn't sound like Justin.

Manny made a face at that. "Well, that wasn't nice of him," he said shaking his head. "Well, did you at least get to talk to him or no?"

"Yeah I talked to him," Nick said shaking his head. "He went into this big whole spiel about how he is too busy to worry about me doing stuff like this and that I can't keep going around saying it; like I purposely go around doing it."

"He actually said that?" Manny asked, disbelief that Justin actually did that; not that he doubted Nick or anything. It just didn't sound like Justin at all. "Wow."

"He then talked about how he's not ready to come out and stuff and I know that. I'm not ready to be out in the spotlight about it either. OF course he took that as me saying I wasn't comfortable with my life as it is and that I need to take some time to rethink if this is what I want." Nick shook his head he was beginning to fume again. "He then hung up the phone before I could reply to that. So I left a message saying that I do know what I got myself into and maybe it was him who didn't know." he sighed. "It was probably a lousy thing to say but I'm not going to let him trample all over me like he used to do."

Marty sighed and shook his head, "It sounds like both of you are just having issues...he shouldn't have said what he said and maybe you shouldn't have said what you did."

"Or maybe you two just need to let loose and think before you speak," Manny said shaking his head. "You both have a lot of stuff going on in your lives... most of which I can only imagine the stress that's put on you two." Manny thought for a moment. "And maybe dealing with heavy issues while you two are on the opposite ends of the country wasn't such a bright idea."

Nick sighed, "I know what I did...I shouldn't have done but I didn't know I did it." he said rubbing his face with his hands. "I just wish there could be one day in my life without drama. I wish I could go back to the few days we had Indiana, we let loose. And I don't mean because we could actually act like a couple. I realize we can't do that."

"You need to be stranded on an Island only the two of you." Marty laughed.

Manny nodded his head. "I think it's all just bad timing," he said. "All this stuff that's happening to you two... chose a really bad time to happen." He then thought Nick definitely needed to let loose before nudging Marty to scoot out of the booth. "Come on... let's go dance."

End of Chapter Ninety Five