| Chapter 9 Rehearsals were finally over. The guys first tour date was in three days, and they were all excited that it was finally here. They were going to start the tour in LA and work across the country before heading overseas. Since they were starting in LA no one went home for the few days off they had in between the rehearsals and the start of the tour. Tara was taking the opportunity to work with Nick every waking moment. His dreams were getting worse, and she knew it wouldn't be long until she and the others would be told to leave him. Lyn had flown back and forth to Vancouver a few times for business, but had returned to spend as much time with Nick before he went on the road as she could. When they went on the road she would return home, and fly out on Nick's days off to be with him. Everyone was sitting outside enjoying the spring day. Nick and Tara were practicing their sword fighting in the back yard. A.J., Sarah, Howie, and Kira had come over. Kevin had decided to have a barbeque and was busy at the grill. "Man, I'm telling you no matter how many times I watch them do this, it still amazes me," A.J. said, to no one in particular. "Yeah, they are both so good at it," Sarah said. "They have to be now, they're using real swords," Brian said, not taking his eyes off Tara as she countered one of Nick's moves and came back with her own. "What are you worried for Bri? They can fix it if they hit each other," Howie said. Brian just shook his head as Nick almost caught Tara in the side. She jumped back, and came down with her sword, knocking Nick's from his hand, then placed the tip of hers on his chest. "Guys, take a break. Foods ready," Kevin called to them. Nick bent down and picked up his sword, then the two walked over to join the others. Lyn walked up to Nick and hugged him, "Great work." Nick half smiled, "Not as good as it should be though." "You're still learning, give it time," Tara said. Angel came over and jumped up on Nick, whining. Nick laughed, "Yes, you can have some of mine." "What's she want?" Kristin asked. "Some of the barbeque," Nick answered. "Oh, I think Kevin fixed her some," Kristin said, going into the kitchen to see. "See there, they already got you some," Nick told the wolf. Angel barked, then trotted into the house. "She happy?" Brian asked. "As a lark," Nick said, walking into the house with the others. Everyone sat down and began eating. They enjoyed the meal, and had a good time in each others company. When they finished, Nick got up and retrieved his sword. "No, we're not gonna work on that this afternoon," Tara said. "Oh, what are we gonna do?" he asked. "Something I've worked out with the guys. They are gonna help me," she said, leading Nick into Kevin's game room. Nick was a little curious as to what was going to happen. Tara had never enlisted the guys help before in his training. As they walked into the room, he noticed several balls and free weights scattered around the room. "Have a seat in the center of the room," Tara instructed. Nick did as he was told, sitting cross legged in the middle of the room. Howie, Kevin, A.J., and Brian came in and took positions in various places around the room. Each one had a super soaker in his hand. "Um Tara, am I going to get wet?" Nick asked. She smiled, "Probably." "OK, just wanted to know. So, what am I doing?" he asked. "I want you to stack all these," Tara said, sweeping her hand around the room, "In order of size." "And what are they here for?" Nick asked. "You need to learn how do it without being distracted," she said, walking over to the side of the room. "Oh, OK," Nick said, cautiously looking at his fellow band mates. They all had silly grins on their faces. Nick closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He focused in on the objects, sorting them in his mind before he moved them. He also extended his feelings out, aware of the guys every move. Nick started his task, just as he felt Kevin get off a shot. Nick managed to stop the spray of water before it hit him, keeping the few items he'd already stacked from falling. As he went on, it became more difficult for him. The more items he stacked, the more he had to concentrate. And the guys were shooting so randomly, sometimes all together, sometimes two, or three at a time. He was almost done, still not having gotten wet, when he felt something. There was someone else in the room, walking towards him. Nick recognized Lyn as she came closer, but he was starting to have problems with keeping the stack from swaying. As he moved the last ball, Lyn leaned down and softly kissed his earlobe. The entire stack fell to the floor, as Nick jumped, opening his eyes and looking at her. "Hey, that's not fair!" he protested. Tara and the guys were laughing. "Nick, you have to keep control, no matter what the distraction is," Tara said, smiling. "Yeah, I'd like to see you do it," Nick said. Tara stared at him, "Is that a challenge?" "Yeah, it is," he said, getting up. "OK," she said, taking his spot, "Watch and learn." Nick and Lyn walked over to the side of the room and watched as Tara went through the same exercise. When she was almost done, Brian started to get up. Nick caught his attention and pointed to himself. Brian looked a little confused, but let Nick walk up to Tara. Nick was smiling as he bent down and licked the side of Tara's face. She opened her eyes and looked at him, smiling, the stack still in place. "No matter how gross the distraction is, you can't let it get to you," she said. Nick stood up, disappointed that his trick didn't work, "I know." "Oh and Nick," Tara said, "Don't ever do that again." Nick looked at her and grinned, "Aww, why not?" he teased. "Because next time I won't be so kind," she said, as all the balls flew at Nick. He managed to stop most of them, but a few got through and pelted him in the chest and head. Everyone was laughing hysterically, even Nick. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Later that night, everyone was in the living room watching a movie. Nick had noticed that Lyn was shooting him looks every so often. He smiled, loving the way she teased him. He took her hand and leaned over, "If you don't stop that I'm gonna have to do something about it." She grinned at him, "Take your best shot, but you gotta catch me first," and with that she was up and out of the room in a dead run. Nick laughed, running after her. "Well now, isn't that special?" Brian said in his Church Lady impression. Everyone in the room roared with laughter. Nick caught Lyn halfway down the hall, pulling her into his arms and kissing her wildly. Together they walked backwards to Lyn's room, not breaking the kiss. They managed to get in and shut the door, before they had to come up for air. "Nick, are you sure about this?" Lyn asked, breathlessly. He nodded his head, "If its to much, let me know, I'll stop." She laughed, "Yeah, sure you will." Nick grinned, then picked her up and carried her to the bed, laying her down gently. He then crawled in next to her, and pulled her into his arms. "God, I've missed this," Nick said. "Shut up and kiss me," Lyn laughed, pulling his face to meet hers. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Howie, Kira, A.J. and Sarah were getting ready to leave. The movie was long over, and they hadn't seen Nick or Lyn since they ran out of the room. "Well, tell the love birds we said night, or morning, whatever applies," A.J. said, smiling. Kevin laughed, "Um I'm sure they'll appreciate that." "See ya tomorrow," Howie said. "Kris, call us in the morning. We'll go shopping," Kira said. "OK," Kristin answered. "Night guys," Brian called from his chair. They were walking out the door when the most blood curtailing scream came from down the hall. Everyone turned in shock, as Nick came running out of the room in his boxers, "Tara!" Tara ran down the hall to meet him. "Shit, I hurt her!" Nick cried, grabbing Tara's arm and pulling her into the room. Everyone followed them into the room. Lyn was laying in bed, looking like she was asleep. Tara went over and checked on her, then turned to Nick. "You need to tell me exactly what you were doing," she said. Nick fidgeted for a moment, glancing at the others in the room. Then he leaned down and whispered into Tara's ear. Brian watched as Tara bit her lower lip, trying desperately not to burst out laughing. Nick finished telling her what happened, and looked at her, "It's not funny!" he said, angry and scared. "I know, I'm sorry," Tara said, coughing a few times to get it out of her system. She sat down on the side of the bed and put her hand on Lyn's cheek for a moment, then looked at Nick, "She'll be fine. Just let her sleep." "You're sure?" Nick asked, anxiously. "Yes, just don't do it at the same time next time," Tara said. "Oh, now you tell me? You couldn't have told me that before?" Nick asked, flustered. She just shrugged her shoulders, "Forgot, sorry." Nick turned around, realizing everyone was still in the room, "What?!" "Nothing," A.J. said, grabbing Sarah and exiting the room. "Um he's our ride," Kira said, pulling Howie out by the back of his shirt. "I'll see you guys in the morning," Kevin said as he and Kristin left. Brian just stood there grinning at him. "Stop that," Nick said, turning back around to face Tara. She could see he was mortified that he had hurt Lyn. "Nick, you really didn't hurt her, you know," Tara said. "Oh yeah? What do you call this then?" Nick asked, pointing at Lyn. Tara smiled at him, "Um, to much of a good thing?" Brian laughed, and Nick glared back at him. "Um, I gotta go do something," Brian said, seeing the look in Nick's eyes, and not wanting to be on the receiving end of anything he felt like dishing out. Tara watched as Brian quickly exited the room. Nick sat down on the end of the bed, feeling an entire range of emotions. He was angry, scared, embarrassed, frustrated....the list went on and on. "Nick, don't beat yourself up over this," Tara said. He looked up at her, "It's not just this. Not that I'm not completely mortified by this, but it's just .... everything. I haven't completely passed anything that you've shown me yet, and I know I should by now. I should have all this under control and I don't. Why am I having such a hard time with it?" Tara looked at him for a long time before she answered. "Nick, I honestly don't know. It could be the amount of power you have, that would make it more difficult to get a grip on," she said. "I would just like Him to tell me why I've been given so much. Is that to much to ask?" he said. "In time you will know. But right now you have to take it on faith that you have what you have for a purpose. And that purpose will serve God," Tara told him. "Yeah, and in the meantime, I have to pray that I don't kill my girlfriend with love," Nick said sarcastically. "Nick," Tara said sternly. "Tara's its to hard sometimes. All these feelings and emotions coming at me. I just wish I didn't constantly have to think about it, ya know. I'm exhausted at the end of the day cause all day long I can't let my guard down, not for a second! Then when I'm suppose to be sleeping, those damn dreams haunt me all night. I'm more tired when I get up than I am when I went to bed," Nick ranted. Tara looked at him with compassion in her eyes, "Nick, I understand everything you're going through. I've been there, and even though my powers aren't as much as yours I still had all the same problems as you do. Eventually you will move past it. It will become easier for you, and soon you won't have to think about it anymore." Nick sighed, resting his elbows on his knees, and putting his face in his hands, "Yeah, but how long do I have to wait before that happens?" "As long as it takes," Tara said, "Now go get some sleep." "I want to stay here with her," Nick said, looking up. "There's no since in it, she's gonna be out til morning," Tara said, "Go rest." Nick looked back at Lyn, lying peacefully in bed, then got up and left the room. Chapter 10 |