What You Need - by Lyric

Felicity Fiction

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Allen checked Andrew�s watch, they had been at it for almost two hours. It had started the second Anna stepped on the plane, continuing through take-off and showed no signs of ending when they landed. What IT was, was a fight between. Nick was yelling and Abe was giving it right back. Kinda felt like watching a tennis match. He couldn't believe Andy had chosen to listen to his CD player instead of watching. Glancing over at his brother, Allen shook his head. He was asleep. True, they had both seen this side of their sister before, but few others had and this time they weren't on the receiving end.

Rarely did Anna argue. He was always in awe of his sister's ability to get people to do what she wanted. If things weren�t going according to her plan, she would figure out a way to make it workout the way she wanted. She would reason, discuss, persuade, and if that failed, she would find a way around, over, under, or through the person.

Another thing he knew was his sister only argued with people she cared about. Judging from the way she was arguing with Nick, he figured she must really care about him. However, he didn't think anyone, including the two fighting, had noticed yet.

"They're still at it," grumbled Andrew, when he nap was disturbed by turbulence.

"They fight like we use to."

"Allen sometimes your communication skills amaze me."

"Yep," replied Allen with a wicked grin.

Poking his little brother in the arm, Andrew got comfortable and dozed off again.

"I don't need a fucking babysitter!"

Growling, Abe replied, "Are we starting this conversation over?"

"That's the first thing you said when I got on the plane!"

"Well�well�it's true!"

"Then stop acting like a damn baby!"

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"It means grow-up Nick! Start acting like a man."

"You want me to act like the fellas."

"Lord No! I want you to act better than the fellas."

"I am a man," he said, as the pout returned.

"Then act like a man. A man doesn't run away when things don't go his way. A man doesn't run out on his responsibilities. A man takes pride in doing a job right."

The look of utter disbelief, which appeared on her face, brought him up short. Ducking his head to look up at her, like a little boy caught, he said. "Well most of the time."

Allen coughed behind him.

"I try to, but then they act like I'm not there. Like I don�t count. Nick, you're the cute one. Nick, we need you to go out first so we can sneak on our buses. Nick, we don't need your input on what songs we sing. Just show up and sing them the way we tell you to. No Nick, we don't want to see what you've been working on. Nick, you need to let us handle this, because you don't understand all this legal stuff."

Abe listened. She heard the words and saw their effect. His eyes glistened with tears he fought to control. His shoulders slump with each word he spoke. Now he refused to look at her.

"I'm sorry they've been treating you so badly, but you're not helping change anything by running away."

"I just get so mad. Nobody listens to me!"

Cupping his chin, she lifted his head and quietly said, "I'm listening and I'm making a promise to you now. I will always try to listen."

"Sure," replied he, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. She seemed sincere, but he just didn't know and the feel of her warm touch unsettled him.

"Will you give me a chance?" He didn't respond. "Please?"

"I guess," he said on a sigh.

"Thank you, Nick," she replied, letting go of his chin.

They sat in silence for a moment.

"Shit, they're really pissed this time."

"Yeah they are, but we'll get through it."

"Yes we, but I need you to trust me."

"What's that mean," he asked.

"It means you need to apologize for taking off."

"No fuckin' way!"

"You know you were wrong to take off. You have an obligation to this group. Even if they are jerks you still work with them."

"Are they going to apologize to me?"

"I don't know and you can't go in there expecting it. You apologize, because you know it's the right thing to do. I promise in the long run you will feel much better when you do."

"Yeah whatever."

"Look asshole, I'm trying to make you're life easier, but I can only do it if you work with me. In the immortal words of Jerry McGuire�Help me, help you."

Nick smiled, "show me the money."

"When I get some I'll show ya," chuckled Abe.

"Alright. What do you want from me?"

"Seriously?"

"Seriously. Shit no one's ever come after me before, I owe you for that at least."

"If Kevin hadn't gotten in my way, you would have never made it out of the hotel."

"Nevermind. Let's see, first things first, will you apologize?"

"Yeah," he replied, sighing again.

"Second, no matter what they do, don't react. You can vent to me later, but don't let them push your buttons."

She was trying to extract this promise, because she couldn�t guarantee the others would act.

"Now I can't promise you that."

"Yes you can. I know you can, because I know you are better than that."

"I'll try."

"Fair enough."

"Let's get through this welcome back. You will need to jump right back into everything."

"So Anna Bella what's third?"

"Third is you can call AB. You can even call me Abe, but never ever call me Anna Bella."

Allen spoke up from his seat. "Cause only family can do it and live."

"Good listening skills there little brother."

"It's a gift."

"I'm going back to ignoring you. Now finally Nick, you want to be a grown up and be more responsible?"

"Yes," replied Nick. "I think."

Laughing, she said, "let me put it another way. Do you want to change how they all treat you?"

"Hell yeah."

"Then starting today, you will begin to change their perception of you."

"It starts with the apology and not reacting when they push your buttons. For the next week you need to be on time and prepared for appointments, which means having a good attitude."

"Because it is the responsible way to act."

"I'll try, but I'm bad about time."

"You are already doing it."

"You've been getting to rehearsals on time and you even beat them all to the plane yesterday morning."

"Yeah, but that's because you got me up."

"So, I didn't do it on my own."

"That's ok. It's why I'm here�to help you. I will make sure you are up and you get to where you need to be. We can work on prepping you for everything. Your job, and your job alone, is to show up with and maintain a good attitude. Deal?"

He shook her hand. "Deal."

Silence followed, but he soon broke it to ask, "Abe did you growl at me?."

"She does it when she's really angry and you've crossed a line. It's best to just back off, when she does it."

"Thanks to the peanut gallery for the explanation," intoned Abe. "I would invite you to join us so you won't have to eavesdrop from way back there, but oh look, we're about to land."

"Glad to help," answered Allen, completely unfazed by his big sister's sarcasm.

Andrew turned off his CD player and said around a yawn, "they stopped fighting."

"Are you starting that again."

Allen grinned and said, "yep!"

Abe could swear she heard spaghetti western music. She sat on one side of the conference table with Nick. Her brothers were sitting in chairs to the right of him. The other Backstreet members were across the table. They were waiting on Roger, who came in and took control of the situation. Abe was very proud of Nick. He apologized and didn't react when the others yelled at him. Roger allowed it to only go so far, before ending the meeting.

As they were all riding the elevator, Andrew asked, "Anna, when's our flight home? I need to call Stacey."

"I've booked it for the morning. I'll give you everything when we get to the room."

"So the A stands for Anna," stated Brian. "What's the B?"

Nick and Allen answered, "Bella."

Abe growled and the two guys just smiled at her. Nick, Abe, and her brothers got off the elevator first. The others were silent as they deposited Roger, Kevin and Brian on their respective floors. When only AJ and Howie remained in the elevator, Howie finally broke the silence.

"Did she growl?"

"Yes I believe she did."

"I like her."

"You would," chuckled Howie.

"Hey! She knocked Kevin on his ass and she growls at people. All good things in my book."

"She's always so quiet."

"It's the quiet ones you have to watch. Yep she's a keeper," replied AJ, stepping off the elevator on his floor.

Nick only vented to Abe for about 15 minutes, upon arriving in his suite. Allen and Andrew made themselves scarce by heading over to her room. She expected it to be them when there was a knock at the door. Instead, it was Roger and Clint Eastwood. Not really Clint Eastwood, but a man who bore a striking resemblance to the actor. Two things were different, he had more hair and wasn't as thin as Clint.

Giving the man a cautious look, Abe said, "Hi Roger. Come in."

"Thanks. Nick, AB, I would like you to meet Nick's new bodyguard, Pat Adams."

"Billy works fast. Hello Mr. Adams. Nice to meet you. I'm AB Cavett," greeted Abe, extending her hand.

"Hello Miss Cavett. How about I call you AB and you call me Pat," he suggested, shaking her hand.

Abe pulled Nick closer. He offered his hand and Pat shook it.

"I look forward to working with you Mr. Carter."

"Okay then Nick."

Roger launched into an explanation of Pat's qualifications. He was a retired US Marshal, who had experience guarding different officials. He had even guarded Queen Elizabeth on one trip to the States. At one point in the early 80's, he had been asked to help guard the rock group Styx. After talking to some of their bodyguards and hanging with them for a week, he decided it would be a good job when he retired. Roger also pointed out he had one other qualification. He was the father of teenage girls when New Kids On The Block were big. He had no problems saying no to girls

when they were screaming for their favorite boyband member. After Roger left, Pat took the opportunity to explain how he worked. He told Nick he would only be the bad guy when needed. For the most part Nick could take the lead, but he had to listen to him when he told him to do something. He wasn't doing it to be a jerk. He only wanted to keep the young man safe and Nick understood. He went on to ask Abe to be in front of them whenever they left together. He would always walk beside Nick and her being in front allowed him to keep an eye on her, too.

Starting his job immediately, he answered the door when Abe's brothers returned. She laughed at the way her brothers suddenly got very subdued when he leveled a scowl at them. The man's chuckle broke the tension as he ushered them in, she Abe gave the okay.

Nick decided to stay in. He had Abe order room service for everyone. After a dinner, Pat excused himself and headed for his room.

"Are you going to give him a chance?"

Nick looked at Abe and pointedly replied, "yes."

"Good. He seems like a good guy."

"By the way, you have to start working out."

"You heard me."

"Why," he whined.

"Roger said so," answered Abe, laughing. "So when I wake up Andy and Allen, I'll get you up too."

Nick was quiet for a moment. "Are you going with them to the airport?"

"Not unless you want me too," she said looking at her brothers.

"Nah," answered Andrew.

"Good. You can work out with me," said Nick with a big smile.

"Why," she whined.

"If I have to, then you have to. Otherwise, I'm not doing it."

"You're being a shit."

Allen high-fived him and said, "you got her!"

"What are the sleeping arrangements," asked Andrew around a yawn and trying to avoid more arguing.

"I hadn't thought about it. I guess you and Allen can take my bed and I'll take the floor."

"Don't want to sleep with one of us sis," teased Allen as he got her in a headlock.

"Ewww gross," she replied, though it was muffled by her brother's armpit as she fought to free herself.

Laughing, Nick said, "you guys can stay in here. I've got the spare bedroom plus the couch."

"I get the bed," stated Andrew.

"Man," whaled Allen, letting go of Abe.

"Called it," chuckled Andrew. "Think I'll get my bag from your room sis and call it a night."

"Please push the cart outside on your way out," requested Abe. "And bring my bag with you."

"Anything else," Andrew asked in a sarcastic tone.

"Um give me a minute," said Abe.

"Eww no," yelled both Allen and Abe.

Everyone laughed as Andrew flipped off his two younger siblings, before pushing the cart out the door.

Yawning, Abe said, "man it's been an eventful 24 hours."

"Yeah, well, sorry about that."

Abe looked at him surprised, but let it drop. She watched him stretch and pull his T-shirt over his head.

"Dude you got a bunch of ink," noted Allen, moving to get a better look at the tattoos on Nick's back.

He shrugged. "I just keep thinking of things to get."

As Andrew came back into the room, Allen asked, "Anna have you gotten another tattoo since you've been hanging with him?"

"Another tattoo," exclaimed Andrew.

"Allen," yelled Abe.

"Shit! Sorry Anna."

"Do mom and dad know?"

"Sure Andy! I told them and Allen, but made them all swear never to tell you. No Doofus! They don't know and they better never find out!"

"Okay. Okay. Damn Anna."

"Now I'm going to bed. Good night!"

She didn't wait for any replies, just slammed the door on her way out.

"Nick I want to thank you for letting us camp out."

"Hey no problem. It's a suite, not like we are all sharing a bed."

"True. Well I'm going to bed. Night."

After Andrew left the room, Allen and Nick checked out what was on TV. For the life of them, they couldn't figure out why they were watching Nightline.

Nick finally asked, "Allen what's her tattoo."

"Man she'll kill me for telling."

"No she won't. Andrew's not here."

"I guess�It's a dragon curled up around a heart."

"Not very big."

"You just want to know everything. It's at the base of her spine. She got it when she was on tour with POD."

"Wait she was on tour with POD?"

"Yeah man. My sister's da bomb. She's been on the road with lots of people." "How did you find out about the tat?"

"She got it the day before she came home for a visit during a break in their tour. I was running through the house and plowed into her the first day she was back. She dropped to the ground and curled up, which if you know anything about my sister ain't right. So I made her tell me what was wrong."

"Hmm�I would have never pictured her as the tattoo kind."

"Me either, but now it makes sense. Especially with what she got."

"Yeah a dragon wrapped around a heart is weird."

"Naw man. The dragon is wrapped around the heart to protect it. That's what Anna is always trying to do to her heart�protect it."

Nick thought for a moment, but when he yawned, he tucked the tidbit in the back of his mind. It was just another part of the puzzle that was his assistant. Someone he didn't have to figure out. He disappeared in his room for a moment and came back with a pillow and blanket for Allen, then said good night. He fell asleep soon after crawling into bed.

Abe answered her phone while walking through the backstage area.

"Is this my best friend Abe?"

Shaking her head and smiling, Abe replied, " Sorry I haven't called."

"Its fine," teased Michele. "I�ve been busy too.�

Something about her friend�s tone caught Abe�s attention. �Do tell?�

�I think I shall,� giggled Michele.

�Oh no Chely! You�re giggling. A boy must be involved.�

�Do you remember me telling you about Tim McAfee?�

�Yeah?�

�Well he asked me out,� she replied in a rush of words.

�That�s great! I take it you went on the date?�

�We did and we are going out again tomorrow night!�

�Cool beans! You have my permission to marry him,� replied Abe, sitting on a couch in the empty dressing room.

�Anna! It�s just our second date.�

�I know, but should you progress to him asking.�

�Silly!�

�Did you have fun? Have you talked since then?�

�Yes to both.�

�Then it�s progressing nicely. You like him?� Chely got quiet and almost sighed her reply, �yeah I do.�

�Chel I�m really happy for you.�

�Thanks. So are you ready for Europe?�

�Pretty much. Nick and I are shopping later.�

�Nick and you?�

�You know what I mean. I have to pick up some things. He does too, but he doesn�t know what he wants, so he can�t give me a list, which means he has to go.�

�How are things going with him?�

�Pretty good. Well actually, they�ve been going really good. Once, he got over me being the enemy he�s actually a good guy. He cracks me up. He can be such a doofus. Do you know what he did the other morning?�

�What?�

�He woke up before me and decided it was time for payback. So, he comes into my room and starts jumping up and down on the bed. He had his feet on either side of my hips and is bouncing up and down.�

�Did you kill him,� asked Michele, chuckling.

�Not intentionally, but I doubt he will ever stand over me again when he does that.�

�Remember when you use to sleep over, Andy and Allen would come wake us up? What happens when someone scares me awake?�

�You sit straight up on your knees and say I�m awake. Oh wait, you don�t mean?�

�Yes I do. My head made contact with a very sensitive part of his anatomy. He dropped like a house of cards.�

�Oh my God!�

�Yeah he tried to blame it on me, but finally gave in.�

Laughing, Michele asked, �Wait, how did he get in your room.�

�I�ve been staying in the second bedroom in his suite.�

�Oh really?�

�It�s easier, but it ends tomorrow.�

�Tony gets here.�

�Tony?�

�Nick�s buddy. The one that Allen and Andy almost beat up when we went after Nick.�

�That�s right. Where are you going to sleep?�

�The couch. I have to get them up for the flight early the next morning.�

�What else is going on?�

�Rehearsals. Nick and I are still working out. I'm beginning to see a real difference.�

�So do you need new clothes yet?�

�What?�

�You said you can see a real difference.�

�On Nick, not me. I need to work out for the next 10 years to see any difference!�

�Abe,� scolded Michele.

�It�s true! Anyway, it�s been fun working out with Nick. We work through everything together. It makes the time go faster.�

�How are the other guys?�

�They�re fine, I suppose. They basically say hi and bye to me.� �That�s too bad.�

�It�s fine. I mean I�m doing my job, so they have no reason to talk to me. Actually, AJ usually says hello when he sees me.�

�Good. Still sober?�

�Yes and seems to have gotten his head on straight.�

�So have any of the significant others been around and how are they treating you?�

�Brian�s wife is here. She is going on the tour. She�s like Brian. I�m taking care of Nick so they don�t really need to talk to me. I haven�t seen Kevin�s wife, but it would probably be the same. Howie�s woman has been here the last two days, but she�s not going to Europe.�

�What about AJ?�

�AJ is single and I haven�t seen him trying to hook up with anyone.�

�And Nick�s not hooking up?� �Actually, there was a girl here last weekend. I spent most of my down time either in my room or out walking round,� answered Abe, her voice losing some of it�s enthuasim.

�But she�s not a girlfriend.�

�He says no. They hook up, have sex, she goes home.�

�Classy.�

�I know, but what can you do?�

�Nothing.�

�Exactly,� replied Abe. �I hear them coming.�

�I�ll let you go. Email when you can,� said Michele, but suddenly she heard the phone being manhandled.

�Who is this,� asked the male voice.

�This is Michele. Who is this?�

�Nick. So this is Abe�s friend.�

�Yes,� said Michele in a flat tone, not sure what was going on. She could hear Abe fussing in the background.

�Is she always so anal?�

Laughing, Michele replied, �yes she is.�

�Thought so. Ouch! Stop hitting my ass!�

�Give me my phone!�

�Fine. Bye Michele.�

�Bye Nick.�

�Chel?�

�Yeah.�

�He is such a pain in the ass sometimes.�

�Careful that�s your boss.�

�Shut up,� responded Abe, though she was fighting a smile.

�Alright bestest friend have a safe trip. Email when you can. And try to have some fun.�

�I will. You email too. I have to go shop with Nick now. Later.�

�Bye,� said Michele. Hanging up the phone, she sighed and said, �Oh Abe, be careful with your heart.�

"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
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without the author's permission.

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