| Chapter 4 Brian continued to improve as the days went on. He was taking short walks through the halls, and his appetite was steadily improving. He was starting to really get tired of being cooped up in the hospital. He had asked the doctor when he was going to let him go home, all he ever said was we'll see in a few days. Brian knew there were things the others weren't telling him, like how long he'd been in the hospital, and what had happened to put him there. The last thing he could remember was eating breakfast. Brian had finally convinced Leighanne that it was OK to go to the hotel and get some rest. She had looked so tired when she left, Maybe she'll get some sleep, Brian thought. He had been flipping through the channels on the TV when he stopped on MTV, they were having one of their news flashes on. Maybe there'll be something on here, I'm tired of everyone ignoring me when I ask them what happened. Kurt Loder was saying something about JayZ's new album when Nick stuck his head in the door. "Hey," Nick said, "you feeling up to some company?" "Yeah, come on in." Brian said as Nick came through the door and sat down. "Where's Lee?" Nick asked noticing that she wasn't there. "I finally convinced her that I was OK enough to leave, she went back to the hotel to get some rest." "Oh, that's good, she hasn't slept much since she got here." Nick said. "Speaking of that Nick, I want to ask you some questions, and I want you to answer me." Brian said, looking Nick straight in the eyes. Nick knew what Brian was about to ask, and wondered how he could get out of it. Everyone had agreed not to tell Brian what had happened until he was stronger. They didn't want to set his recovery back, and your state of mind is part of your recovery. "Um, Brian I don't know..." "Nick please. I need to know how I got here." Brian said. Nick was not ready for this kind of pressure from Brian. He looked at Brian and could see the emotion behind his eyes. "Damn it Brian, we agreed not to tell you until you were stronger." "Nick, I'm strong enough, now tell me. Not knowing what happened is driving me nuts!" Brian sat up in bed and swung his legs around so he was face to face with Nick. "All right Bri, but if anyone asks I didn't say a word." Nick said. Brian nodded his head, and Nick began to tell Brian everything that had happened from the time Mark found him until he woke up. When Nick had finished, Brian was noticeably shook up. "See Bri, now your upset, I shouldn't have said anything." Nick said angry at himself for giving in to Brian. Damn your pleading eyes Brian, Nick thought. "No Nick, I'm fine. Thanks for telling me, I just can't believe that I was out that long, and that whoever this person is would have access to me like that." Brian said, still in disbelief. "Yeah I know, we're all a little paranoid now. I mean who's to say that it won't happen to the rest of us too." Nick said, really wishing he could think of something to change the subject. "What about security," Brian asked, "what are they doing now?" "Oh man, be glad your in here, we can't even go to the bathroom by ourselves anymore, its humiliating." Nick said, trying to put a little humor in the conversation. Brian let out a little laugh. The two sat in silence for a moment when Brian suddenly started laughing. "What's so funny?" Nick asked a little perplexed. "Food poisoning? I can't believe you guys said I had food poisoning. Now every fan I see is gonna ask me what in the world I ate." Brian said laughing even harder. Nick burst out laughing, "Yeah, it is kinda funny isn't it?" "What's so funny?" Kevin asked as he and Leighanne walked into the room. Nick and Brian gave each other a knowing look, Nick turned to Kevin "Oh just some jokes I was tellin Bri." Leighanne walked over to Brian and gave him a kiss, "Hey baby, it's good to see you laughing." "I thought you were going to get some sleep." Brian said giving Leighanne a stern look. "I slept a little, your the one that needs your rest." "Lee, I'm tired of resting, that's all I do." Brian said. "Brian, you feel up to a little trip?" Kevin asked with a big smile on his face. Brian looked at Kevin with anticipation. "What kind of trip?" Brian asked. "Well sweetie, the doctor has released you from the hospital, they're doing the paperwork now. And as soon as the nurse comes and takes out your IV, we'll get you dressed and then we can leave." Leighanne said. Brian was so excited to get to finally leave. "How long will it take us to get home?" he asked Leighanne. Leighanne and Kevin exchanged glances. "Bri, we're not taking you home." Kevin said trying not to look Brian in the eyes. "Why not? Where are we going?" Brian asked with some concern in his voice. "Brian, the doctor doesn't feel like your up to that long of a trip yet, so we rented a lodge about 45 minutes from here. Its gated, and has a great security system, and its big enough for all the guys and your security guards." Leighanne said, knowing that Brian wouldn't want to go. "Lee why can't we just go home?" Brian asked knowing there was some other reason behind all this. Leighanne gave Kevin a pleading look, Kevin sat down next to Brian," Bri, you're gonna have to come back to the hospital twice a week for tests. The doctor wants to make sure there aren't any long-term effects to your kidneys and liver." Brian sat in silence for a moment thinking about what Kevin had just told him. "Lee, did you say that we're all going there?" Nick asked. "Yeah, security thinks it'll be easier to protect you all together than if we all went our separate ways." Leighanne said. "Wait, Lee you sound like your not coming with us." Nick said, picking up on the �you' instead of �us'. "Well," Leighanne said looking at Brian, "I've got to get back to the set." Brian's face fell, and he gave Leighanne his best �don't go' look. "I'm sorry honey, but I can't get out of it. We only have two more weeks of shooting, and we're so far behind now." Leighanne explained. "I understand," Brian said, not sure if he really did. But, this was Leighanne's first big movie role, he couldn't spoil it for her. "Thank you baby," Leighanne said, "I'll be back before you know it." The nurse came into the room to remove Brian's IV and have him sign the last of the paperwork. She handed Brian some instructions from the doctor and a schedule for the next three weeks of when he should be back for his tests. Nick and Kevin walked out into the hall while Leighanne helped Brian get dressed. "Kev, what's with this lodge thing?" Nick asked. "I mean, Bri could have those tests done anywhere." "Nick it was decided that this would be best for Brian, he's still in a very weak condition." Kevin answered. "Who decided?" asked Nick. "Me, Leighanne, Harold, Jackie and the doctor." Kevin said. "Nick, he's going to need us there for support, and to help him get back into the concert routine, or have you forgotten that we're in the middle of a postponed tour?" "No, I haven't forgotten." Nick said a little miffed that Kevin was thinking about getting back on tour so soon. "Howie and A.J. are already there getting things ready for Brian." Kevin said. "All right," Nick said conceding defeat, "I'll go back to the hotel and get my stuff." Nick walked down the hall security guard in tow. Kevin turned back toward Brian's door just as Leighanne pushed Brian out in a wheelchair. "We ready?" Kevin asked. "Ready as I'll ever be," Brian said, " do I have to ride in this thing, I can walk you know." "Bri, it's hospital policy, you know that." Leighanne said. "Yeah, but what if a fan sees me? How you gonna explain it." Brian said. "Bri, we're taking you out the service entrance, no one will see you." Kevin said a little amused that Brian was so concerned with not freaking out the fans. "All right." Brian said with a sigh. They made there way downstairs and into the car with no problem. Brian settled into the back seat, where Leighanne had put a pillow in case Brian wanted to lay down during the trip. "You set back there cuz?" Kevin asked. "Yeah, lets go." Brian said. Brian couldn't help but feel a little apprehension about going to this lodge in the mountains, but if his family and security thought it best then who was he to argue. Chapter 5 |