"Well this is lovely," Howie stated as he looked out at the empty arena. This was their first day on tour...as a quartet. The good thing was that the tour is kicking off in L.A.... where they already were staying so they didn't have to worry too much about tour bus and hotel rooms. They'll leave the worrying for three days later.

Kevin patted Howie on the back as he passed by. "It's different, but really things seem to be going well." He said as he watched AJ up on stage doing his solo mic check.

Nick was sitting down on the floor in front of the stage attempting to color in a coloring book that Brian had just bought him but he was having a hard time concentrating on it.

Brian fidgeted with his ear piece for a few seconds before being satisfied. He sung a few lines making sure that everything was working properly. "...halfway around the world...For just one kiss from you...Far beyond the call of love...The sun, the stars..." He hummed.

Howie walked up to the stage and looked up at Brian who was walking slowly in circles with his eyes closed singing and AJ who was doing shimmies. "So, now what?"

Nick whimpered as he wiggled around on the floor a little. His stomach was really starting to hurt. Standing up slowly he looked on stage and the person who was closest to him was Howie. "Owie?" he called in the loudest voice he could even though he felt close to tears.

Howie quickly turned his head, his heart rapidly beating for being startled. "What's wrong Nick?" He questioned closing the three feet that was between himself and the younger boy.

"My tummy willy huts." Nick said as he swallowed hard, a good sign that he was close to losing it.

Howie had no idea just what to do about that. "Hey Kev," he called out in a panic. "Nick has a really bad stomach ache. Like, really bad." He didn't want to disturb AJ and Brian who were in deep concentration up on stage.

Kevin turned his head just in time to see Nick turn even greener. "Crap...Howie get him to the trash can over there and fast. I'll get Brian."

Howie nodded his head as he put his arms around Nick and quickly escorted them towards the garbage can by the end of the stage, a few feet in front of them.

Kevin literally ran over to where Brian and AJ were. "Hey guys can you take a break for a second, Nick is with Howie throwing up," he said trying to stay as calm as he could. He really wasn't sure if Nick was throwing up, but he had a good feeling he was by now.

And he was right only a few seconds after getting to the trash can Nick started heaving in front of it, big alligator tears falling down his cheeks.

Brian's eyes widened at what Kevin told him and then widened even more, if that was possible, when he heard the gut wrenching sounds of Nick vomiting. "Oh my god," he exclaimed as he dropped the mic and literally ran and jumped off the stage towards where Howie and Nick were.

Howie turned his head towards Brian when he saw him run towards them with a worried look on his face.

By this time Nick was done throwing up and was just standing there with the most pitiful look on his face. There was puke down his shirt, and the little that was on his face was mixing with tears. When he saw Brian he just started to cry harder...mostly in relief. Over the last few days he had thought of Brian as his daddy so seeing him made him feel a little better.

Brian looked at Nick's appearance and inwardly cringed at anguish on the young boy's face. "Oh Nick," Brian breathed out. "You feeling better or do you feel like you're gonna go another round?"

Nick didn't feel like he was going to throw up anymore but his tummy still hurt. "Me no feel like gunna puke...but tummy still hurt," he whispered as he swallowed making a face at the taste of puke that was left in his mouth.

Brian wrinkled his nose before nodding his head. "Okay, okay," Looking around for a second trying to think up of what to do next. "Okay, well, let's get you into the dressing room and have you change your shirt." Brian was thankful that he'd packed an extra set of clothes for Nick in Nick's baby bag. "We'll get your face and mouth washed too."

"Otay," Nick whispered as he walked with Brian down the hall to the dressing rooms. Once they were halfway down he stopped and groaned again an icky look on his face. He didn't have to puke again but his sick stomach was causing him to have problems out the other end. He looked at Brian not wanting to move because this was so nasty; boy did he not feel good.

Brian stopped walking when Nick abruptly stopped. Turning around he did not like the look etched on Nick's face. Stomach aches and that look... it could only mean one thing. "Uh oh," Brian said. "You gotta go, really bad, don't ya?"

Nick bit his bottom lip before he nodded his head as he attempted to move closer to Brian again but this time he stopped because he had lost it. He blushed bright red, not liking being exposed this much as he did THAT.

"Hey Bri, he okay..." Kevin called and stopped when he saw Nick and Brian in the hall. "Ut oh should I grab the trash can?"

Brian immediately shook his head. He knew Nick was really shy when it came to situations like this and didn't want the younger boy to be put more on the spot so he waved Kevin away. "You think you can walk to the dressing room, it's only like two feet away. There's a bathroom in there and you'll have all the privacy in the world?" Brian whispered so no one else can hear.

"No baffoom," Nick whispered as he walked awkwardly towards the dressing room. Being sick made him feel even more vulnerable which made his fears even worse. He looked at Brian with sad eyes. "Me sowwy," he whispered knowing he was being a pain in the butt; well that’s how his parents had always looked at it when he was sick.

Brian looked at Nick confused for a moment. "Nick, I know you don't like the bathroom but this is important. Please, you have to trust me," Brian pleaded as he stressed the word 'have'. He needed Nick to start trusting him. "It's only for your good. I don't want you getting sicker."

Nick's lower lip trembled as he nodded his head just a little bit. It was a very unsure nod that was almost non existent but it was there none the less. His hand went to rest on his bottom and made a face. "I icky," he blushed.

"I know," was all Brian said before he walked towards the door of the dressing room and opened it for Nick. "C'mon, let's get you all cleaned up."

"Otay...tank you," Nick whispered trying to be as polite as he could, knowing he needed to be totally on Brian's good side today since he felt so icky.

Brian walked over to one of the shower stalls trying to think of just how he was going to go about the situation at hand. "Hmm, we should take your clothes off first," Brian thought and then turned around to face Nick. "Yes, um, let's get you out of those clothes."

Nick nodded as he pulled his basketball shorts down and off. Thankfully they were still totally clean. He then moved so Brian could help him with the shirt cuz it was gross. "Hewp...pweeze."

Brian walked over and gently stretched the collar of the t-shirt so that he could get Nick's head through it first. When that was done he said, "Lift your hands up, Nicky." He smiled when Nick did just that. Then he grabbed the hem of the shirt and lifted it up and off of Nick smiling when Nick's face was revealed. "There." He then walked over to the garbage can and brought it towards them. "Let's the diaper off now and get you in the shower stall quick."

"Yeah cuz I tinky and dis feel baaad," Nick said making a face as he wiggled around a little, for once really wanting to be changed and quick.

Brian chuckled. "I wouldn't know but I could only imagine," Brian said as he held his breath and quickly took off the heavy diaper, careful not to squeeze it, at all, and placing it in a plastic bag which then went in to the trash can. "Get in the shower stall," Brian directed softly as he turned the water knobs to get the right temperature.

Nick did as he was told and got into the shower quickly. He pouted a little as he stood under the water. He had already taken a shower only a few hours earlier. "Me just did dis," he pouted, still feeling yucky and starting to get cranky.

"I know but we gotta clean that bottom of yours. We can't just stick your butt in the shower!" Brian exclaimed chuckling. He frowned when he didn't see any soap or shampoo around. Instead he saw two small sachets of body wash and shampoo/conditioner. "I guess this will do," Brian mumbled under his breath as he took the small wash cloth and applied the body wash to it.

Nick continued to pout as Brian cleaned him up the whole time his stomach making strange gurgling noises saying that it still wasn't happy. "Tummy grumble...but me not hungy," he said, not understanding why his stomach was making weird noises.

"You gotta a tummy ache and diarrhea. It happens sometimes," Brian said not really knowing how to explain it and why. "You might have to go again, I think." Brian finished washing Nick's body but after a few seconds of contemplating he decided against shampooing Nick's head since he'd already done that that morning. "Okay, all done." Brian brought the big towel over and wrapped it around Nick. He read somewhere that soda or carbonated water helps settle diarrhea. "Do you feel like you have to go again?"

Thinking for a second Nick shook his head. All he knew was he wanted to get dressed again and go lie down. He shivered a little from standing in the water even though it was rather warm. He was probably a little feverish too. "Me wana go night, night."

Brian frowned. "Okay," he said. "First, let's get you dressed up!" Brian walked over to Nick's bag and took out a diaper and a new t-shirt. Then he walked over and grabbed the basketball shorts Nick had worn earlier. "Here let's get this stuff on."

Nick helped Brian get himself dressed and then they walked out of the bathroom. He looked at Brian with helpless eyes, not sure where he was supposed to go now. He knew Brian, Kevin, AJ and Howie needed to work...so where was he supposed to go?

Brian took out his cell phone and dialed his cousin's number as he brought his hand up and indicated Nick to wait a moment.

"Hey couz, I need you to get me club soda," Brian said into the phone and distinctly he heard Howie's voice in the background asking if it was Brian before there was a rustling noise and Howie's voice was on the line. Brian listened as Howie said he called Nick's doctor because he got freaked out and that the doctor would be there in a few minutes. Brian was relieved. "Okay, thanks but what about mic-check? I can't leave Nick alone," Brian inquired only to be told not to worry since the little bit Brian had done earlier was enough. Saying this thanks he quickly ended the call and said, "C'mon, buddy, let's get you settled in on the couch."

Nick walked over to the couch and snuggled up, going into a fetal position. "Me ick," he whispered as his eyes got heavy. "Me no like being ick," he said as if there were people who did like being sick.

Brian hummed as he sat down on the very edge of the couch, his hand instinctively going to feel Nick's forehead. It was hot to the touch. "Nobody likes being sick, either, Nick," Brian said softly. He reached into the baby bag and retrieved Nick's forest green blankie and covered him with it, securely tucking him in.

Within a few minutes Nick was fast asleep, his thumb in his mouth because he didn't have his binkie.

After a few minutes AJ knocked on the door, opening it slowly he poked his head in. "Brian...can I come in?"

Brian was resting his head on Nick's shoulder when he heard a knock on the door followed by AJ's voice and head. "Hmm, yah," he whispered, a bit distracted.

"He okay," AJ asked as he walked all the way into the room and gently closed the door behind him. He could tell by just looking at Nick that he had a fever and still wasn't feeling good at all.

"He's burning up," Brian replied, worried. "Did the doc show up yet?" He moved over just a little so that AJ could have some room to sit down beside him.

AJ shook his head as he sat down, "No not yet but he should be here in a few minutes." He then remembered he had brought something. "Oh I have some ginger ale here, D wanted to bring it but he and Kev had to be on stage."

"No club soda?" Brian questioned but took the ginger ale either way.

AJ shook his head. "Not that we could find, we were gunna order it but that would have taken longer. This should work though I think. I mean anything fizzy is supposed to help calm the tummy."

Nick moaned and wiggled around a little in his sleep, getting a yucky look on his face again but he didn't wake up.

"Yah, but this has sugar in it and I'm not sure how much that'll help but it's worth a short," Brian said and then popped the can open. He stilled all moments as he watched Nick wiggle around. Noticing the distraught look on Nick's face he gently shook Nick. "Hey Nick, wake up for a second, please?"

Nick slowly blinked his eyes open, looking at Brian with sad, sleepy, sick eyes.

Brian smiled an apologetic smile. "Sorry but I want you to take a few sips of this, hopefully it'll ease your tummy pains," Brian said showing Nick the can of soda.

Nick looked at the can skeptically but took a few sips anyway before resting his head back down. His tummy started making really weird noises again.

AJ heard his stomach and made a face. "Ugh, that doesn't sound good."

Brian's face wrinkled up, he didn't think that sounded good either. "Maybe give it a few seconds for the stuff to settle in," Brian stated, hopeful. He prayed for the doc to come soon.

As if an answer to Brian's payers there was a knock on the door and the doctor poked his head in. "Hey guys...we've got a sick little dude I hear."

Brian would have leapt for joy and sang hallelujah if he could but restrained himself opting to just give the doc the biggest and brightest smile he could muster up to show just how grateful he was. "Ya, we do," Brian whispered looking down at Nick and then back up at the doc. "He has a bad case of stomach aches and he's burning up," Brian said trying to bring the doc up to date with Nick.

"Has he thrown up?" The doctor asked as he crouched down next to the couch, feeling Nick's forehead.

AJ moved so he was out of the way, but stayed in the room to watch.

Brian nodded his head. "Yah, he did."

The doctor took Nick's temperature and then checked him over a little more before standing up. "He's fine guys no need to worry. He's just got the stomach flu...keep him hydrated the best you can and keep him comfortable. I'm sure the worst should be over by tomorrow morning.

"Are you sure? I mean, he's like burning up, and he had diarrhea," Brian said worried. It's not that he didn't trust the doctor but he just wanted to make sure Nick was going to all right.

"It's going around he could have picked it up at the hospital a few days ago." The doctor said with a smile. "If he gets any worse go ahead and call me again but I think he should be getting better. The diarrhea could last a little longer then the vomiting, but I still think through tomorrow he should be fine."

Brian sighed. "Alright, you're the doc." Brian smiled. "Thank you for coming down here on such short notice. It's just all new to me... us."

"Don't worry about it," The doctor said with a smile. "I will tell you that if Nick actually had the body of a two year old I would be a little more worried but a 100 degree temp for an adult body isn't really anything to be worried about."

"Oh? But is there anything I should give him or do to get the temperature down?" Brian questioned. He didn't like the idea of Nick's temperature being 1.4 degrees higher than normal.

"Once his stomach settles a little I would give him two extra strength Tylenols, but I would wait a few hours to see if it goes down on his own and it would be best if he's not throwing up any more." The doctor instructed as he headed towards the door.

Nick moaned and got the same look he had in the hallway again. This time grabbing his blankie and putting it over his face to 'hide'.

Brian noticed the look and the fact that Nick is trying to hide. "Uh oh, doc?" Brian questioned before the doc could leave. "There's something the matter..." Brian ran over to the garbage can and brought it over to Nick's side, just in case.

The doctor turned and looked at Nick for a second before Nick removed the blanket from his face and whispered to Brian. "Me gotta go poopy again," he whispered a little late in the fact that he was telling them but at least they would know what was wrong.

The doctor laughed and smiled a little. "That is what's wrong and will probably be for a little while longer. If it keeps up past tomorrow then call me."

"Oh," Brian said. "I'm sorry to do this but could ya'll, like, quickly leave," Brian said with an apologetic face but in a hurry, shooing both AJ and the doctor out. "Sorry," he called out before closing the door and heading over to Nick. "Nick, I know you don't like the toilet BUT the problem here is we don't have anymore diapers for you. You have to go and sit on the toilet. Please," Brian begged.

Nick wanted to freak out and say no but something about the look in Brian's eyes made him realize he needed to do what he said. "O...otay," he whispered the fear evident in his voice.

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about, trust me," Brian said as he quickly removed Nick's diaper and escorted him into the bathroom. Lifting the toilet's cover lid he indicated for Nick to sit down.

Silent tears fell from Nick's eyes as he sat down on the toilet really wanting to be anywhere but there at that moment. He hated this; it made him feel so uncomfortable and scared.

Brian stayed in the bathroom with Nick. When he saw the tears his heart ached. "Nick, please don't cry. Nothing bad is going to happen to you. I promise, please, don't you trust me? You know that I won't let anything bad happen to you, not anymore." Brian wanted nothing more than to kill Nick's parents. The poor boy was afraid of the damn TOILET!

"I...I...I know," Nick said as he tried to calm himself down and stop crying but he just couldn't. It wasn't that he didn't trust Brian and thought something bad would happen again it was the fact that he remembered what had happened.

Brian didn't know what else he could do to help clam Nick down. He got a feeling that there was something more to this. Nick hadn't quite told him just why he was afraid of the toilet. "What can I do to make it less scary? What can I do to help you?" Brian was trying to grab at straws here. ANYTHING that could help him get through to Nick, anything that could help him understand and know more about Nick, he was willing to try.

"Me no gotta go potty no more...me wana get up." Nick practically begged pleading at Brian with big blue eyes. Then to answer Brian's questions he whispered. "Make picture go way," he said pointing at his head. He was actually really smart for a two year old, but nobody was ever around to give him credit for it.

Oh damn, Brian screamed in his head. He wasn't helping Nick one bit. Frankly he was making it worse, at least that what it seems like. He was never going to be able to get anything right, when it comes to Nick. "Oh Nick, I'm sorry but are you sure you don't have to go?" What the hell are you doing Brian? he questioned himself. Who the fuck cares about if Nick does his business in the diaper again? His sanity is more important and diapers can be bought! "Forget it. C'mon let's get you back in your diaper."

Nick nodded his head as he got up and walked to where Brian was. "Me sowwy..." he whispered, he was sensitive and was good at picking up any irritation in an adults voice. He knew that being scared was making things harder on Brian but he didn't know what to do.

"Don't be sorry Nick. I shouldn't be forcing you to do things that you're scared of. I know it's going to take you some time to get over whatever trauma you've had in your life." Brian then walked over to where Nick's bag was and helped Nick back into his diaper.

"Mommy scare me...dat scary," Nick said as he pointed at the potty. "Me no like being scared." He mumbled around his thumb that had gone into his mouth for a pacifier substitute.

"Mom did something to you? What did she do Nick?" Brian questioned as he paused from where he was helping Nick back in to his basket ball shorts.

"Nicky bad boy...she put my face in potty," Nick whispered, actually opening up to Brian a lot more then he had before, because he did trust Brian with all his might. "It had poopy in it...dat icky...no yummy."

What Nick had confessed hit Brian like a Mack truck knocking him back on his butt, hard. He looked up at Nick, eyes wide and unblinking. "Oh my..." Brian could even begin to formulate a coherent thought besides 'oh my god'.

"Me no ike the potty," Nick said as an after thought even though he had said it before. Now it just seemed to make more sense.

Brian didn't say anything else. He picked himself off the floor and finished dressing Nick. "Is your tummy still aching or are you still sleepy?" Brian asked in a soft voice that even he couldn't hear.

Nick thought about this for a second, "Me sweepy, tummy hurt and I feel ucky," he said making a face to show that he did feel yucky. He then moved so he could cling to Brian, resting his head on his shoulder.

Brian slowly put his arms around Nick's waist and rested his chin on Nick's shoulder. "What can I do to make you not feel yucky?"

"No go bye bye," Nick said having a feeling it was almost time for Brian to go again and he didn't want him to go.

"You don't want me to go?" Brian asked wanting to make sure he understood what Nick had meant correctly. Spotting the opened can of ginger ale he unwrapped himself from Nick's arms and walked over to it.

Nick almost instantly burst into tears when Brian walked away from him even if it was to just walk across the room. "No go bye bye!" he said again as he sat there crying.

"Nick, Nick," Brian said quickly walking back towards Nick. "Calm down, don't cry!" Brian sat down beside Nick as he placed a comforting arm around Nick's shoulders. "I just went to get you this soda for your tummy ache."

Nick took the can before snuggling up as close as he could to Brian, trying to get himself to calm down. He didn't feel well so it was showing in being clingy and cranky all in one.

Brian smiled as Nick snuggled up to him. He liked that. Snuggling. especially when it was Nick who was doing it. He remained silent opting to do whatever Nick wanted to do.

Just then there was a knock on the door and Kevin poked his head in. "Umm Bri...what are we gunna do about the show we have to figure something out."

Brian looked down at Nick who was clinging on to him for dear life and then back at his cousin. "I don't know. He doesn't want me to leave him," Brian said and as if to confirm his statement Nick repeated his statement of not wanting Brian to go.

Kevin ran a hand through his hair, trying to figure out what to do as he looked at the sick boy in Brian's arms. "This is the first show...it would look really bad if we canceled...but I mean I dunno."

Nick was slowly falling asleep in Brian's arms again even though he was trying to pay attention to what Kevin was talking about.

Whispering Brian said, "I can't leave him alone, Kevin but you're right, this is our first show and LOU will be here." Brian started worrying. What was he going to do with Nick?

Howie then poked his head from behind Kevin. "Hey," he said as he looked at Nick and Brian on the couch. "Is everything alright?" He asked nodding his head over at the younger boy in Brian's arms.

Brian shook his head but answered with a hesitant, "Yea." Then he nodded his head and unsurely said, "No."

Howie was confused.

AJ walked back into the room, "We could call Justin,“ he suggested knowing they needed somebody that Nick trusted to watch him while they preformed.

Brian had completely forgotten about Justin. "We could, definitely. I totally forgot about him." Brian admitted, blushing. "Did you give the ring back and talk to him that day?" Brian asked hopeful.

AJ sighed and shook his head, "No I got to his house and he wasn't there and he wasn't returning my calls."

"Then what makes you think he'll come now?" Kevin asked, really hoping Justin could come and help them out because they really needed it.

"Because this is Nick we're talking about," Howie piped up. "You heard what he was saying that day...we all did. He's going to come back. He'll come for Nick. The only question is how do we find him." Turning towards AJ he asked, "Did you ask his mom or dad of his whereabouts?"

Brian turned his head from Howie to AJ.

"Nobody was home when I tried and I only have his cell phone number," AJ explained.

Howie frowned. "Well, where else could Justin have gone? Do any of you know where he hangs out or where his favorite spots are?" He looked pointedly at Brian.

Brian shook his head. Justin and Nick were always secretive when it came to their hang outs. It had something to do with their anthem or oath or something like that. "Sorry," Brian said shaking his head. "He never told me." Then thinking of something he said, "We still have time before we have to get ready for the concert tonight. I could like go and look for him." As much as Brian didn't want to leave Nick's side he knew he needed to find Justin, fast.

"How about I go...I mean I still have the ring and stuff and you need to stay here with Nick," AJ suggested.

Kevin nodded his head, "I think that would be best because I mean I don't really know what to do with a sick Nick," he said blushing a little knowing that sounded dumb.

Howie placed a comforting hand on Kevin's shoulder. "None of us do," Howie said before turning back to Brian. "You should definitely stay. If Nick wakes up and sees you're gone, he'll probably throw a fit or something and I don't think we know how to handle it." Howie didn't fail to notice the way Nick's arms were wrapped around Brian as though Brian was a giant teddy bear.

Brian sighed. "Okay, fine. Hurry up, though. I don't know how much help this is going to be but try and think of places that Justin and Nick might like to hang out. They both loved basket ball so I say look at the parks or something. Look in the mall or at the beach or at the video arcade or in the tree house or..." Brian said trying to remember the few places that he knew Nick and Justin liked to go.

"I'll figure something out," AJ said as he ran out of the room, automatically opening his cell phone and dialing the number he had for Justin.