| Chapter 8 The promotion in Europe was finally over and the guys were back in LA. Management had rented a warehouse for the guys to rehearse in, and Fatima was there, getting them on track for the upcoming tour. Since both Kevin and A.J. owned houses there, they split up. Brian, Tara, Nick, and Lyn were staying with Kevin and Kristin. Howie and Kira were staying with A.J. and Sarah. Kristin had flown in with Angel to be with Kevin before the tour started, and Lyn had flown down to be with Nick. Nick was still having nightmares, but he hadn't felt his tormentors since he was in Germany. Everyone was still with him, night and day. He took comfort in their presence. Many nights after he would wake up from the nightmare, he would talk with them. They answered a lot of questions for him, and helped him understand things better. Nick wouldn't allow Lyn to sleep in the same room with him, afraid that he would hurt her during one of the dreams. She understood, although it frustrated her. She and Nick hadn't moved past the kissing stage yet, but she was hoping for something when she came back. Tara had started teaching Nick a few fighting techniques. Nick was excited that his training had moved up to that point, but he still felt as if Tara was holding him back. He got the feeling she wasn't showing him everything, and that frustrated him even more. It was a sunny day, although the guys hadn't seen the sun yet. They had arrived early that morning to put in a long day of rehearsals, and hadn't left the building since. Tara and Lyn sat along the wall, watching them run through the routine for the twelfth time that day. "A.J. you need to pick it up," Fatima called over the music. "Nick, you're falling behind again! Step it up!" she yelled. She finally turned the music off, instantly the guys all fell to the floor, totally exhausted. "Damn, are we getting old or what?" A.J. said, out of breath. "I didn't realize I was so out of shape," Howie commented. "That's what your cooking does man, makes you flabby," Brian said, laughing. Nick and Kevin just lay on the floor, both with their eyes shut. Fatima shook her head and laughed, "What happened to you guys? You take some time off and get soft on me." "Never again," Kevin said, "Next time we're off, I'm doing the whole routine everyday so I don't have to feel this pain ever again." Everyone laughed. Nick finally opened his eyes and sat up, "Please tell me we're done, please," he begged. Fatima looked at him for a moment, then smiled, "Yes, you're done. I want you guys here first thing in the morning though." "Yes mame," A.J. said, slowly getting up out of the floor. Fatima gathered her things and left the room before the rest of the guys made it out of the floor. Tara walked over to Nick and dropped the wooden sword at his side. "Now?" Nick asked. "Yes, now. We have more room here than at Kevin's," she said. Nick sighed, and got up. Everyone moved over to the wall and sat down, curious to see what they were going to do. They watched as Nick and Tara ran though some stretching exercises and then practiced some basic moves. After several minutes, Tara turned to Nick, "OK, you ready?" He faced her and nodded his head, holding his sword at the ready. "This is gonna be good," Brian whispered. "Yeah, I caught some of it last night," Kevin replied. Tara stared at Nick for a moment, then lunged forward. Nick blocked her blow, and returned with one of his own. Everyone watched as they traded blows, all the while, Tara was backing Nick across the room. Finally he was against the wall, with nowhere else to go. When he realized what she had done, he became frustrated with himself for letting her get him into that position. "You have to stand your ground," Tara said, backing away from him. "I know," he said, returning to the center of the room to start again. "This time you move first," Tara said. Nick took a deep breath, looking down at the floor. Suddenly he lunged, catching Tara off guard. She stumbled backwards, but managed to block the blow. Nick smiled, "Surprised you didn't I?" "Just a little," she said, coming forward and catching him across the arm before he could stop it. "Ouch, man that stings," Nick complained. Tara laughed, "It's suppose to." They circled each other for a moment, then both lunged at the same time. They stood locked with their swords together. Nick swept his leg behind Tara, and knocked her to the floor. He stood over her with his sword pointed at her throat. "Very good," Tara said, "But not good enough." Nick looked at her confused as she knocked his sword from his hands with her own, then used her feet to trip him. He landed on his back, looking up at her. Tara smiled down at him, offering him her hand. "You have to learn to expect the unexpected," she said. Nick got up, "I see that." He looked around for his sword, seeing it halfway across the room. He took a quick look around to make sure no one was around, then reached out. The sword flew across the room and back into his hand. "Nick, stop that," Tara said, sternly. He sighed in frustration, "Why?" "Because, our powers aren't to be used like that," she said. "Fine," he said, getting ready for another match. Tara stared at him, she could feel his frustration with her. "I think we're done," she said. "Why, because of that?" Nick asked. "No, because you're frustrated, and you aren't listening to me," she scolded. Nick closed his eyes and calmed himself down. "I'm sorry," he said, "I won't do it again." Tara looked at him for a long time, "I hope not. One more time, then we can leave." Nick smiled as he took his stance. The others watched as Nick and Tara exchanged blow after blow. This by far was the most fierce they'd ever seen them fight. Neither one was giving an inch, and soon they were both breathing heavily and sweating. Tara let out a small cry as Nick managed to get her across the back. She dropped down to her knees as Nick stopped and came closer. "God Tara I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you," he said, concerned. He was standing next to her when she swept his feet from under him, and was on him in an instant. Her sword was under his neck, as he looked up into her eyes. They stared at one another for a second, then Nick raised his sword to her neck. They were at a standstill, there was no countermove either one of them could use to get out of the situation. "Call this one a tie?" Tara asked. "Yeah, I'm starving anyway," Nick said, smiling. They both stared at each other, neither one removing their sword. "Guys?" Brian said from the side of the room, "Someone please give up, I'm hungry." They both laughed. Tara stood up, giving Nick her hand. He took it and got up, walking over to the others. "You're getting much better," Tara said, "But you have to keep your temper under control. You make mistakes when you're frustrated or angry." Nick nodded his understanding. "Man guys, that was awesome!" A.J. said, seeing it for the first time. "Thanks," Nick said, grinning. "Yeah, I didn't know you could fight like that," Howie said to Tara. "I don't like to, but if I have to, I can," she said. "Why don't you like to?" Nick asked. "Because, if we are ever fighting like that outside of practice, it means that it's life and death. I want to try everything else first, before it comes to having to fight," she said. Nick looked at her, realizing the seriousness of it all. What he thought was fun, just took on a whole new meaning to him. "Come on guys, let's go," Kevin said. "Yeah, I'm in need of a hot shower and some major food," Nick said, gathering his things. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian and Kevin were sitting on the couch when Nick came out of his room. Everyone had gotten cleaned up, and Lyn, Kristin, and Tara were in the kitchen preparing dinner. Nick plopped down on the couch, totally exhausted. "Man, you look wiped," Brian said. "I am. I think I could sleep for days if you let me," Nick said. Kevin looked over, "You still having the dreams?" Nick nodded his head, "Every damn night." "What are they about?" Brian asked. "You know, I never seem to remember anything after I wake up. It's weird, I just feel really anxious and uneasy, but I don't know what makes me that way," Nick said. "Maybe they will stop soon," Kevin said. "No, I don't want them to. When they stop, that's when they come. I'd rather give up some sleep as to face that right now," Nick said. Lyn came into the room, "Guys, it's ready." The three got up and went to the dinning room, taking their places around the table. They ate quietly, making small talk. Nick sleepily finished the last of his meal, then got up. "I'm going to bed," he said. No one teased him about going to bed so early. They could all see how exhausted he was. After he left the room, Brian looked over at Tara, "How long are those dreams gonna last?" "I don't know. I've never seen them go on so long. I think they are using them to tire him out before they come," she said. "Why would they do that?" Kristin asked. "Nick's a lot more powerful than anyone they've tempted before. I'm sure they want to take as much out of him before they come as they can. Make it much more likely for him to be to tired to resist them," Tara said. "Tara, you don't think they have a chance do you?" Kevin asked. She looked down at her plate, "As long as he focuses he'll be OK. But if he ever gets distracted, he could fall into their deception. He still doesn't have the control he should have. By now he shouldn't have to think about it, and he still does." They all exchanged worried glances. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick found himself walking in a desert. There was nothing but sand as far as he could see in any direction. He was hot and thirsty. The sun was beating down on him, and he wished for some kind of shelter from it. He dropped to his knees, not able to go any further. He was so tired, all he wanted to do was go to sleep. "Nick." He looked up, wondering where the voice was coming from. He scanned the desert, his vision blurring. "Nick, come here," the voice whispered. Nick looked around again, "Who's there?" he called. "Come with us," the voice called. Nick struggled to his feet and walked on, seeing something in the distance. He walked for what seemed like an eternity, finally reaching the oasis. There were two figures standing in the middle of the lush grass. Nick couldn't make out any details of their features, but knew they were men. "Who are you?" he asked. "Come with us," one said. "To where?" Nick asked. "Come into the oasis, there is water here, and shelter," the other said. Nick was standing just outside, he was hesitant. His body was screaming at him to go, but his mind was wary. "Come out here," Nick said. Both men laughed. "Why should we leave, just to comfort you?" one asked. "Do you want us to take your hand, like teacher does?" the other taunted. Nick backed away, knowing he was talking to his tormentors. "Come back Nick, you can't run from us," one said. "No," Nick whispered, as he backed away. He suddenly ran into something, and swung around to be face to face with one. His vision still blurred, Nick jumped back, "Get away from me!" "Come now, don't make this hard," he said. Nick shook his head, "No!" Suddenly he was grabbed from behind by the other. Nick struggled against them, as they drug him into the oasis. "NO!" Nick screamed, sitting up in bed and looking around. He was sweating, and his mouth felt like it was full of cotton. He closed his eyes and tried to calm down. "Nick?" Jade said. He looked up, to see the three in front of him. "I'm OK," he said. Tracy handed him a glass of water she'd gotten from the bathroom. Nick gulped it down. "Tell us what you saw," Gideon said. "I was in a desert. I heard a voice calling to me, so I went to this oasis thing. There were two men there, but I couldn't see them. They wanted me to come with them, and when I refused they took me by force," Nick said. Jade looked at Gideon, he returned her stare. "Why couldn't I see them?" Nick asked. "They are hiding their identity from you. They don't want to reveal themselves just yet," Tracy said. Nick sighed, "I'm so tired of this." "We know, but you have to stay strong," Jade said. "I don't know if I can," Nick said, getting up and going into the bathroom. He turned the cold water on and splashed some in his face, then took the cup and drank another glass. He then walked back into the room and climbed back in bed. Nick lay his head on his pillow, "Guys, I'm so tired, but I don't know if I can handle another dream like that tonight." "They won't come at you again tonight. Get some sleep," Gideon reassured him. "You're sure?" he asked. "Yes, now get some rest," Jade said, smiling at him. Nick took a deep breath and closed his eyes. The three watched as he drifted to sleep. Chapter 9 |