What You Need - by Lyric

Felicity Fiction

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She settled into her seat. She had done it! Nick was on the plane before anyone else. The wake up call came on time and she asked for a luggage cart. Nick and Mike were out the door before they completely woke up. Wearing the same clothes from the night before had its advantages, even if they were less than fresh. The guys tumbled into the van, while she settled their bill. She called Roger on the way to the airport.

The guys selected their seats. She took a seat across the aisle on the chartered jet. Brian and Leighanne arrived next with dogs. Howie and AJ boarded and did a double take when seeing Nick. They smiled at her, leaving Nick and Mike to sleep. Roger boarded with Kevin.

�I guess we can leave when Nick gets here,� stated Kevin, upon entering the cabin.

�He�s here,� replied Roger.

�What?�

�Kev, he beat all of us here this morning,� said Brian from behind Abe�s seat.

�Humph,� muttered Kevin as he took his favorite seat up toward the front of the plane.

Abe glanced up from her book to see Nick�s eyes still closed, but his lips curled into a smirk. Shaking her head, she went back to reading.

They were headed to New York for appearances on the Today Show and MTV. They would be performing in the Plaza and talking to NBC�s Morning Team, then dropping by TRL later in the day. It was the beginning of the media blitz for the new album. The album, Instincts, dropped in six weeks on the 2nd Tuesday in May. The single and video dropped two weeks before the album. This allowed a four week window to shoot the video, put the final touches on everything and start the rehearsals for the tour. Visits to CBS This Morning, The View, MTV, VH1, and Regis & Kelly were scheduled for the week after the album dropped. After the MTV special on Friday night, they were all boarding a plane to Cologne, Germany, where the tour kicked off on the last Monday in May.

Abe watched the New York skyline come into focus. The guys were heading to the hotel to check in and meet with the stylist. After dinner, they were meeting with the band and rehearsing for the next day�s performances. Meetings about the new video would follow the performances.

Packing her book bag, Abe nudged Nick.

�Wha,� asked he with a start.

�We�re ready to land.�

�Oh. Hey man wake up.�

Nick had poked Mike, before stretching as much as he could in the cramped space. She noticed he was still wearing the bandage on his neck. Without thinking, she reached across the aisle and touched it. He jumped and turned to look at her.

�What are you doing?�

�Checking the bandage.�

�I forgot about it,� he said, pulling at the tape.

Abe pulled his hand away.

�Wait until we get to the hotel.�

�OK,� he agreed with a roll of his eyes.

As they got off the plane and climbed into vans, AJ noticed Nick�s bandage.

�Hey Nick. What happened to you?�

�Huh? Oh! Some girl got too close.�

�How close,� asked Roger, joining the conversation and inspecting the bandage.

�I was dancing with her last night and she didn�t like it when we left.�

�Yeah, but I took care of her,� stated Mike. �Got Nick out of there quick. Right AB?�

�You went with them,� asked Roger.

�I wanted to make sure Nick was on the plane.�

�I see.�

Roger didn�t pursue the matter until after the stylist had the guys busy trying on outfits. She forced Nick to sit still while she checked his neck. It was healing, so she left the bandage off. It was then Roger asked her to come with him to his suite.

Taking a seat on the couch, he asked, �What really happened last night?�

�Pretty much what they said.�

�Abe, I need you to be honest with me.�

Abe told him everything.

�I guess we need to get Eddy back.�

�Not the Eddy who guarded him before."

�Yeah. Why?�

�I�ve heard about him. He�s just as lax as Mike. The difference is Mike really cares about Nick, but I think he�s a friend first and guard second. He�s just not pro-active enough.�

�Eddy and Nick always got along.�

�That�s because Eddy pretty much let Nick do whatever he wanted. Also, Eddy liked partying with Nick. It�s nice having the guy you�re guarding pick up your bar tab.�

�Then who do you suggest,� asked Roger.

�I heard them talking about Billy.�

�Not an option, he�s not touring anymore.�

�Then you need someone like him or like Carlos. The person needs to be unknown by the fans and able to intimidate with a look.�

�Carlos scared you,� teased Roger, chuckling.

�Yes, he did!�

�I suppose you�re right. I�ll give Billy a call and see who he�s got.�

�I really hate being the reason Mike is fired.�

�He�s not fired. He just won�t be Nick�s primary guard. We can use him as backup. Besides like you said he is Nick�s friend.�

�Good.�

Kevin interrupted their conversation and she left the two men to talk. She promised Roger she wouldn�t say a word to Nick or Mike. He would handle it. It was an easy promise to keep. She had to be the bad guy too much with Nick. This time she was only one of the bad guys, but not the main one.

Everything was moving along nicely, until after the MTV appearance the following day. Roger pulled Backstreet into a conference room once they arrived back at the hotel. They needed to get some work done before the directors arrived.

Wrapping up, Roger said, �The last thing we need to talk about is bodyguards for Europe. We are set with Carlos, Marcus and Raul.�

�And Mike,� added Nick.

�Brian, we will meet the two guys you will choose from,� continued Roger like he never heard him.

�Nick, I will be lining up someone for you by the end of the week.�

�What,� exclaimed Nick.

�You need more protection than Mike can give.�

�No fuckin� way!�

�Nick look at your neck. He took real good care of you last night,� stated Kevin.

�What the fuck do you know about last night?�

�I know what AB told Roger and you�re lucky more didn�t happen.�

�What did you tell them,� asked Nick, turning to face Abe, who had been quietly taking notes of the meeting for Roger.

�She answered my questions, Nick,� interceded Roger.

Nick stood abruptly and started pacing.

With arms waving, he said, �Mike takes good care of me. He�s my friend.�

�Nick that�s the problem. He�s your friend first,� said Roger.

�So, you need someone who won�t give in to your every whim and will make sure to keep your ass out of trouble,� replied Kevin, in a tone he seemed to reserve just for Nick. It was condescending and always pushed his buttons.

�Fuck you, Kevin!�

�Nick,� started Abe.

�You shut up.�

�Nick.� She tried again.

�AB stay out of this,� warned Kevin.

�It�s simple. Mike doesn�t go to Europe. I�m not going,� stated Nick.

�Nick, will you grow the fuck up,� yelled Kevin.

�Fuck you! Fuck all of you!"

Nick stormed out of the room. Abe looked at the men around the table. None of them made a move to go after him. She started to get up, but Kevin stopped her.

�AB sit.�

�Someone has to go after him.�

�No they don�t. He needs time to cool off.�

�AB, Kev�s right,� agreed Brian.

�I still need to talk to him,� answered Abe, getting up again.

Kevin was fed up with people not obeying. He was use to Nick, but coupled with AB it was too much. She had to pass him to get to the door. He stood up and looked down at her. He knew he intimidated her and he was using all his talent in that department on her now.

�I said sit. He will cool off then we will go talk to him.�

�Kevin, I think it�s different this time,� countered Abe, summoning up all her courage as she looked up at him.

�I think we know him a little better than you do, so sit your ass down!�

The volume of his voice rose with each word, until he was finally rewarded with her flinching. No one spoke for a moment as they listened to his last word ring through the room. Roger stepped in.

�Kevin, Abe, please sit. We will give him some time to cool off then AB you can go find him.�

They sat down and the meeting continued. She was so mad that she didn�t hear a word. She sat with her arms folded and her leg bouncing under the table. After thirty minutes, they took a break and she bolted from the room. Even Kevin had to chuckle.

She was gone for several minutes. Returning, she closed the door and waited until she had everyone�s attention. With all eyes on her, she began to clap.

�AB what�s going on,� asked Roger.

�I have to hand it to you. You know Nick Carter so well. In fact, I�m sure it will not surprise you to know Mr. Carter and his bodyguard left the hotel approximately twenty minutes after he stormed out of here.�

�What,� asked Kevin.

�That�s right Mr. Richardson. Nick and Mike are gone with bags in hand. So bravo,� she finished and began clapping again.

After her announcement, there was a flurry of activity, starting with Roger calming down the other four group members. While they were all running around, she went to her room. She knew calling Nick was pointless. Instead, she called Mike and left a message. It was brief, letting him know he wasn't fired and asking him to please let her know they were okay.

Two hours later, he called. She explained the situation and he believed her, which was the only reason he told her where they were going. They were flying to Tampa, where Tony and Mike shared an apartment. He said Nick was the maddest he had ever seen him and there was no way he was coming back. She told him to not even try to make Nick come back. She was coming after him and all Mike needed to do was keep him there.

She made a few more calls and arranged everything. She would be in Tampa by early morning. With everything in place, all that was left was telling Roger.

Carlos opened the door and let her in. The four remaining members of the group were in Roger's suite. Kevin glared at her.

"Nice of you to join us."

"Kevin," warned Howie.

"What have you been doing while we've been dealing with this shit," he asked, ignoring Howie.

"I've been cleaning up this shit," she replied with attitude.

"What do you mean," asked AJ, not giving Kevin the chance to speak.

"I mean, I'm going to get him." Turning to Roger, she continued, "He will be back by noon tomorrow."

Roger asked, "Where is he?"

"Doesn't matter."

"How do you know he'll be back here by noon tomorrow," asked Brian.

"I'm going to get him," she replied flatly.

"Carlos, let's get packed."

"Why," asked Abe.

"We're going with you."

Shaking her head, she said, "No. You're not."

Kevin just laughed and started to pass her. Her adrenaline was pumping so hard that with one hand on his arm she was able to spin him around to face her.

"I said no you're not. You caused this. All of you," she stated, making a broad sweep of her hand as she pointed to all of them. "I am fixing this mess. You are all going to stay here and wait. I am going to be the bad guy and bring him back here. When we get back, you will not say anything more than glad to have you back."

"You are not telling me what to do little girl."

Taking a step closer, she looked up at him and said, "Oh yes I will. I'm not playing. You screwed up and chased him away. You know how to push his buttons and you did it. You didn't care about the consequences. You enjoy setting him off in some perverse way."

"Do not,' exclaimed Kevin.

"Then why do you do it," she asked, pausing for an answer that wasn't coming. "Thought so. I am going after him. He will be back here tomorrow and everyone of you will be happy about it. Got it?"

Everyone, but Kevin said, "yes."

Leveling her gaze back at Kevin, she said, "If you ever get between Nick and me again, I will knock you on your ass."

"Yeah right," chuckled Kevin.

Before he knew what hit him, he was flat on his back looking up at her.

"Don't underestimate me. Now I'm leaving�alone. Are we all clear on this?"

Again everyone, but Kevin agreed.

Looking at Brian, but pointing at Kevin, she said, "Get him with the program."

Without another word, she was out the door. No one moved for a minute, then there was a soft chuckle. All heads turned to look at AJ. He looked around before speaking.

"Damn, who knew she had that much fire in her?"

"Good thing she has that fire," stated Kevin, getting off the floor. "Because the bitch is fired!"

"No she's not."

"Funny, Brian."

"You deserved what she did."

"What in the hell are you talking about?"

"Think about it, Kevin. She's been doing her job. Nick has been everywhere he's suppose to be."

"He's not where he's suppose to be right now. Is he Brian?"

"That's our fault."

"How you figure?"

Roger answered, "She thought he might do this. We stopped her from going after him. If we hadn't, he might be here now."

"So that gave her the right do that to me?"

"No and I will talk to her tomorrow, after she gets she back here."

"That's another thing. I don't think she can get him back here and I still say she's fired," stated Kevin, digging his heels in.

"I don't think I'd be betting against her," commented AJ. "Kev, if she gets him back here will you let this drop?"

Howie tried, "Think about it, Kevin. Things have gone smoother with Nick since she's been around."

"You know they're right. I think she will have him back here tomorrow and when she does you need to do what she said." Brian held up his hand to silence his cousin and continued. "We agree here and now that she will not be fired if she gets him back. Everyone agreed?"

They all agreed and looked at Kevin.

"Alright, if she gets him back here by noon then she�s not fired."

"Good. Let's go back down and get ready to meet with Nigel," said Roger.

As they rode down in the elevator, AJ started to laugh. The others looked at him and waited.

"I only regret not seeing the look on Nick's face when he sees her."

The others chuckled too.

Howie asked, "I wonder how much trouble she'll have talking him into coming back?"

"Somehow I don't think she'll give him an option," replied AJ.

"Well I doubt she can carry him all the way back here," stated Kevin as they walked into the meeting room.

"She sat you on your ass so I wouldn't be too sure," said AJ, slapping him on the back as he continued to laugh.

"I still don't know how she got me to the floor so fast," grumbled Kevin.

Roger answered, "I think she learned it from fighting her brothers. From what I understand, they are big guys."

"Maybe she should guard Nick," suggested Brian and the others laughed.

All further discussion of the situation was tabled as Nigel Dick walked into the room. The rest of the evening was spent going over video concepts. Once again, Nick was missing out on having input, but it was his own doing.

Abe was standing in line at the car rental desk inside Tampa International Airport, when she felt her feet leave the ground. Before she could react, she was spun around to come face to face with her big brother, Andrew.

"At least I know who�s got me," she said.

"Hello to you too, Munchkin."

"Hi Sis," said Allen, who still held her off the ground.

"Allen Bennett Cavett put me down!"

"Drop her," said Andy.

Allen let his sister drop, but she was prepared and remained standing.

"Shoot," grumbled Allen.

Hugging him, she said, "Good to see you too. Let me get the car and we�ll get some breakfast."

While at breakfast, she explained the situation to her brothers. Allen was up for the plan she laid out, but Andrew was a harder sell. He tended to share her parents' opinion of her chosen field, which was she needed another line of work. They were cautiously happy about her new job as Nick's assistant, but still wished she would come home and settle down with a nice young man. It didn't matter that no nice young men had ever been interested in her when she was at home. She highly doubted one would just suddenly materialize now.

"Get ready," whispered Abe.

"Relax" replied Andrew, knocking on the apartment door from his spot out of view.

Tony opened the door and said, "What the fuck are you doing here?"

"Mike here?"

�Bitch! Why do you want Mike?�

�What did you call my sister,� asked Andrew, bumping shoulders with his little brother as they both moved to stand behind Abe.

�Down,� ordered she, enjoying the look of surprise on Tony�s face.

"I'm here," Mike replied, coming to the door. �Come in.�

�Why are you letting this Bit�her in?�

�Don�t worry about it, Tony.�

�I�m gettin� Nick.�

Mike pulled him back. �No you�re not. You have to trust me, man.�

�But she took your fuckin� job!�

�No she didn�t. Now sit down.�

Tony did as Mike asked, allowing him to talk with Abe.

�He�s still asleep and he�s going to have a hangover.�

�Not surprised. Where is he?�

�In here,� he directed as he moved to the closed bedroom door.

�Anyone in there with him,� asked Abe.

�Good. Thanks Mike.�

�He�s gonna hate me.�

�Not for long. I�ll make it clear to direct all the hate to me. I suggest you have a seat with Tony. Keep him out of our way.�

�I'll get in your fuckin� way if I want,� said Tony, getting agitated again.

Mike quickly sat down next to him and made sure he stayed put.

Abe quietly opened the door. Tiptoeing in, she found Nick sprawled out across the bed. His butt uncovered for all the world to see. She smacked at her brothers when they started snickering. Gently pulling the sheet up, she covered him.

Bending down by the bed, she softly said, �Nick.�

Nick stirred, but didn�t wake.

�Nick,� she said again louder.

�Yeah,� he asked, opening his eyes. �What the fuck are you doing here?�

�Do they all have such a grasp of the English language,� asked Andrew.

Nick flipped over, grabbing for the sheet.

�Who stepped on your chest man,� asked Allen.

�What,� asked Nick, shaking his head to clear the cobwebs.

�It looks like a kid stepped on your chest,� replied Allen, pointing at Nick�s chest.

�Their tattoos. Who are you?�

�They're my brothers, Andrew and Allen,� she answered.

�I�m not going back.�

�Yes, you are.�

�No, I�m not!�

Looking at her watch, she said, �Nick, I�m giving you one minute starting�now. Get dressed.�

�Or what?�

�We take you out of here like you are.�

He studied her for a few seconds, before saying, �you wouldn't dare.�

�Nick when have I ever not followed through on what I said? You now have 20 seconds.�

�Like I can really get dressed so fast. Besides, they won�t let me on a plane nekkid.�

�Five seconds. This one will. Three�two�one.�

Without another word, Andrew and Allen picked up Nick and the sheet. Abe grabbed his bags. Mike had left them by the door of the bedroom. He was struggling and cussing a blue streak as they moved through the apartment and out the door. He stopped struggling the second they were outside, but he continued to mutter all the way to the SUV. Allen and Andrew placed him in the backseat with them on either side. Abe hopped in the driver's seat and quickly started rummaging around in his bag.

�Why are you going through my stuff?�

Andrew retorted, �ya got somethin� to hide?�

�Shut up,� ordered Abe.

�Anna chill,� directed Andrew.

�Anna,� asked Nick.

�Yeah. Anna. Anna Bella Cavett,� supplied Allen.

�Shut up,� exclaimed Abe. �I getting you some clothes.�

�I ain�t puttin� em on. You can just drag my ass through the airport nekkid.�

�Fine!�

None of them spoke again. Nick pouted. Abe seethed. Andrew and Allen didn�t look at each other for fear of laughing. Nick did a double take when Abe stopped at the gate leading to the area of the airport designated for privately owned airplanes. Abe drove through the gates onto the tarmac. She stopped beside a small jet.

"Get him settled and I�ll return the rental."

"Gotcha," said Allen.

"I can walk," replied a sullen Nick.

"Show me," said Andrew.

Nick started to get out, but Abe stopped him.

"Hang onto that sheet. It looks windy out there."

She returned the rental and got a ride on a service truck back over to the plane. She paused on the tarmac for a moment. Tired didn't even begin to explain how she felt. Beat up and drained were better descriptions. Truth was she wanted to cry. It was completely girly of her, but didn't mean she wanted to do it any less. Right at that moment everything sucked, her job, Nick, Backstreet, and life in general. Not only did she have to deal with Nick on a long flight back to New York, but she had to deal with him in front of her brothers. Sighing, she trudged up the steps of the plane, because like it or not the flight from Hell couldn't end until it had begun.

"What You Need" is a work of fiction.
The characters and events portrayed are fictitious,
and any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental.

Used with Permission
Copyright ©2002-2003
All Rights Reserved
No part of this text may be copied or reprinted
without the author's permission.

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