| Chapter 12 Brian spent the rest of the bus ride to Chicago on the verge of a break down. Tracy tried her best to calm him down, but talking could only do so much. Brian was devastated. He couldn't understand how his best friend could be a slayer and him not know about it. Of course he was forgetting that he was a vampire and supposedly Nick knew nothing about that. Tracy kept assuring him that even if it was Nick, he wasn't in any danger just yet. Brian had his doubts, but he reminded himself that he and Nick were best friends and that had to count for something. Brian wanted to talk to Howie and let him know what he'd found out, but he never had the chance. A.J. kept Howie's attention for the entire bus ride. Brian couldn't blame him though. A.J. and Howie were best friends, and with Howie spending so much time with Brian lately, they hadn't had much time to hang out. Of course Brian hadn't spent much time with Nick lately either, but Nick seemed not to care. He never approached Brian or asked if they could go do something like he normally did. Usually the kid would drive him nuts, always wanting to be doing something or hanging out in his room. But not this trip, and now Brian knew why. "Hey cuz, what's wrong?" Kevin asked, sitting down next to Brian at the table and nearly scaring him to death. Brian bit his tongue to keep from screaming, looking up into the concerned green eyes of his cousin. "Man you're jumpy, what's going on?" Kevin noted. Brian shook his head, "Nothin, you just scared me that's all." Kevin started at him, "Bri, you look like you've seen a ghost and you've been actin weird since we started this trip. Now tell me what's bothering you," he insisted. Brian looked out the window, it was mid-afternoon and the sunlight hurt his eyes, but it was better than looking at Kevin. "I just have some stuff I'm dealing with," he said. Kevin waited for him to elaborate but he didn't. "You wanna talk about it?" he asked. Brian shook his head, "No, it's really personal." Kevin sighed, studying his cousin's face, "You know you can tell me anything right?" Brian smiled at his concern, "I can't tell you this Kev, sorry." "Hey Kevin, come here a sec!" Howie called from the front of the bus. Kevin frowned, looking hurt that Brian wouldn't confide in him. He stood up to join Howie, "I won't push you, but I'm worried about you Bri. I'm here anytime you need to talk, K?" Brian nodded, having to work hard to keep the tears in his eyes from spilling over, "I know Kev, thanks." Kevin smiled at him, squeezed his shoulder, then moved to see what Howie was calling him for. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Howie quickly dumped the bag of candy into the bowl he'd found and placed it on the table. He had just thrown away the bag when the rest of the guys entered the room. They were at the local TV studios, there for a taping of an interview that would be played the next morning. The bus had dropped them off there and taken their things on to the hotel they would be staying at for the next few days. Brian walked over, "D, I really need to talk to you." Howie could tell he was nervous, "What is it?" "I can't tell you here. We need to talk alone," Brian whispered. "Can it wait until we get to the hotel?" Howie asked, knowing that would be first time they'd have a chance to be alone. Brian sighed, nodding. He'd waited all day, what's a few more hours? "How are you doing? You didn't feed this morning," Howie asked. Brian shrugged, "I'm really thirsty. As long as this doesn't take long, I should be Ok." "Did you tell Tracy?" he asked. "She said she had some things to do and she'd meet me at the hotel," Brian answered. "Put that down!" Kevin yelled, "You are not eating that before this interview." Howie and Brian both looked over to see Nick sitting on the couch with the bowl of candy in his lap, Kevin towering over him. A.J. moved to stand with them, "I see a fight coming on, wanna take bets?" Howie and Brian both chuckled as Nick refused to give up the candy. "Nick, don't make me take it away from you," Kevin threatened. Nick stood up, the bowl protectively wrapped in his arms, "I'd like to see you try old man." "Oh no, here we go," Howie muttered. Kevin's eyes flashed with anger, "Old man? Nick we've been through this already, just give me the bowl," he demanded, grabbing the bowl. Nick held on and the two were in a fierce tug of war, "No! I'm a grown up Kevin, if I fucking wanna eat candy, I'm gonna eat it!" Nick yelled. "Not when it makes you hyper and you start bouncing off the walls," Kevin retorted, yanking harder. Nick pulled back, "I don't get hyper!" All three bystanders burst out laughing. "Yeah and my name's not Kevin Richardson," Kevin laughed, "You do to get hyper, now give me the candy!" Nick glared at Kevin, both still tugging on the helpless bowl. Suddenly Nick grinned, and let go. The entire bowl of candy flipped into Kevin's face. Nick laughed, as his three brothers behind him where to afraid to breathe. They watched as Kevin's face turned red with anger. Nick finally looked at him and realized he was in trouble, but it was to late. Kevin lunged at him, knocking him off his feet. The two rolled around on the floor, exchanging blows. "Maybe we should break them up," A.J. suggested. "Do you wanna get in the middle of that?" Brian asked. A.J. shook his head, "Hell no." "This has been coming for a long time, just let them fight it out," Howie said, the other two agreeing. "I am not an old man!" Kevin shouted, pinning Nick to the floor. Nick glared at him, "Yes you are!" he yelled, flipping them over. Kevin punched him right in the face, sending him tumbling backwards. The older man got to his feet. Nick was on his hands and knees, gently touching his mouth. His hand came away with blood on it. He glared up at Kevin, "You fucking made me bleed!" Howie stepped in front of Brian, reaching back and grabbing his wrist to keep him in place. Brian closed his eyes and tried to will away the urge he was having. He was so thirsty. He ran his tongue along his teeth, feeling his fangs. He took several deep breaths to calm down. "Dude, you alright?" A.J. asked, seeing him trembling. Brian nodded, but didn't look up. "Nick, I ....I'm sorry," Kevin stammered, seeing the utter rage in Nick's eyes. Nick shook his head as he got to his feet. Kevin took a step towards him. That was his mistake. Nick ducked down, sweeping Kevin's legs with his own, sending the older man to the floor. Before Kevin could blink, Nick was on him. He had straddled him, his legs pinning Kevin's arms to the floor. Kevin looked up in time to see Nick with a pair of drumsticks in his hand, his arms raised as if to stab him with them. "Nick no!" Howie screamed, running over and grabbing Nick's hands. A.J. ran to help. Together he and Howie pulled Nick off Kevin. Kevin got up, staring at Nick wide eyed. Nick was struggling in his older brothers arms, still overcome with anger. "Nick stop it!" A.J. yelled, slapping Nick in the back of the head, "What the hell did you think you were doing? You could've hurt him!" Nick stopped struggling and looked at Kevin, the reality of what he'd almost done hitting him. "Oh God, Kevin, I'm so sorry," he said, dropping the drumsticks to the floor. Kevin watched as tears spilled over Nick's cheeks, "I didn't mean it, I'm sorry," he pleaded. Kevin walked over to Nick, placing his hand on the back of his neck, "Come with me, we need to talk." Howie and A.J. released their hold and Nick walked with Kevin over to the corner of the room. Howie looked over to see Brian frozen in place. He looked like a small child that had just had the worst nightmare in history. He made his way over to him, "Bri, it's Ok." Brian shook his head, "No Howie, it's not." He looked over to see Kevin whispering sternly to Nick. Nick nodded his head, as he wiped away his tears. Nick looked over catching Brian's eye. The two stared at one another for a moment, Nick still nodding to what Kevin was saying. Chills ran down Brian's back, and he started backing up. Howie stepped into his view, "Brian, don't freak. Not here," he whispered. Brian shook his head, "I ...um I'll be in the hall," he said, then quickly left the room. Howie glanced over at Nick, the young man looking down when he did. "Well, ain't this a picture of brotherhood," A.J. mocked, "What the hell is wrong with everyone D?" Howie shrugged, dawning his most innocent look, "I have no idea." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The interview took longer than any of them wanted. First, they had to clean Nick and Kevin up. Both had several marks that needed to be covered with makeup. Then word got around about the fight, and the interviewer wanted to explore that. Everyone chalked it up to �sibling spats' and didn't give the man what he was after, no matter how hard he tried. By the time the boys got to the hotel, Brian was suffering. Howie kept a close eye on him, noting how much Brian was fighting the thirst. Finally they got to their rooms, Howie going into Brian's with him. "D, please leave me alone," Brian begged, collapsing onto the couch. "No Bri, I can't," he said. Brian's face was white, with a sheen of sweat on it. His hands were shaking, and he winced as if he was in pain, "Please Howie, just leave. I-I might hurt you if you stay." Howie could see the pain in Brian's eyes when he said that. "I can't leave you Brian. I won't let you go through this alone," he said, walking over and turning on the TV, "Here, lets find something to take your mind off it until Tracy gets here." Brian pulled his knees up to his chest and rested his head on them. He didn't argue with Howie. He didn't have the strength, and he knew it wouldn't make any difference. His friend could be stubborn when he wanted to be, and right now, he wanted to be. Howie flipped through the channels, "So what do you like to watch?" Brian didn't answer him. He looked over, seeing him gently rocking himself back and forth, his head on his knees, his arms wrapped around his legs. He heart went out to him, and he moved closer, placing his hand on Brian's shoulder, "Bri, just hang on. Tracy will be here soon." Brian stopped his rocking and looked up. Howie took a step back, seeing Brian's eyes. Brian glared at him, a look Howie had never seen before. "Brian?" Slowly, Brian rose from the couch, his eyes never leaving Howie's. "Oh crap," Howie muttered, suddenly feeling like a gazelle in the path of a lion. He quickly averted his eyes from Brian's, backing away from him. "Look at me Howie," Brian demanded. Howie shook his head, "No, you don't wanna do this Bri." Howie moved across the room, never taking his eyes off Brian. Brian followed him, keeping the same distance from him. Almost as if he was stalking him. "Look at me," he said again. Howie stared at his chest, "No Brian, I know what'll happen if I do." Brian laughed, "And what is that per say?" Howie swallowed hard, "You'll take control of my mind and make me come to you." Brian sighed, stepping closer. Howie backed up, right into the wall. He glanced around, finding he didn't have anywhere to go. "Oh crap, oh crap ....hurry up Tracy," Howie muttered, as he moved along the wall. Brian grinned at him, his fangs showing as he followed him. Howie reached a corner and Brian was suddenly standing in front of him, his arms on either side of him, "You have nowhere to go," Brian teased. Howie looked at his face, careful to avoid his eyes, "Brian, you don't wanna do this." "Oh but I do," Brian breathed, moving closer. Howie pushed himself against the wall, trying to get away. His heart was pounding in his ears, and he was shaking like a leaf. "Please Brian, don't," he begged. Brian laughed, taking Howie's face in his hand and turning his head, exposing his neck. Howie tried to fight, but was nothing against the strength Brian had at that moment. Tears left his eyes as he watched Brian lick his lips, then open his mouth to bite. Suddenly Brian was pulled away from him and flung across the room. It took Howie a moment to realize that Tracy was standing in front of him, talking to him. "Howie snap out of it," she said, shaking him. He blinked a few times, "Huh? Oh God Tracy...." "I know," she said, quickly moving to where Brian was laying on the floor, trying to recuperate. She unzipped the bag she had with her and took out a bottle. Brian sat up and glared at her. She stopped in her tracks, tossing the bottle to Howie, "I'm gonna need your help," she said, before Brian pounced. Howie watched helplessly as the two struggled. Tracy was pushing Brian toward one of the walls, knocking over tables and chairs in her way. Brian fought her with everything he had. He managed to slap her across the face, and she stepped back, her hand to her cheek. Then she glared at him and swept her hand in the air. Brian flew backwards right into the wall, sliding to the floor. Tracy quickly grabbed him, holding his head up, "Howie," she called. Howie ran over with the bottle in hand. "Pour it down his throat," she instructed as Brian struggled to get free. Howie popped the cork and did as she said. After a few moments Brian stopped struggling. Tracy let go and took the bottle from Howie. Brian reached for it, like a child reaching for his sippy cup. She let him have it, and stood up. "Are you alright?" she asked, moving to Howie and checking him for bite marks, "He didn't bite you did he?" Howie shook his head, "N-No but it was close. Where were you?" "I had things to take care of. I didn't realize he was this bad," she said. Howie nodded, swaying when he did. Tracy steadied him and got him to a chair, then ran into the bathroom and came back with a wet wash cloth and a glass of water. "Thanks," Howie said, taking the cup and sipping the cool liquid as she wiped his face then lay the cloth across the back of his neck. "To much excitement, huh, watcher," she teased. "Yeah," he said, glancing over at Brian. He had finished the bottle and was sitting with his knees to his chest again, "Is he alright?" Tracy looked over, "It'll take him a minute to come back to himself. Howie, I need to take him tonight." Howie looked up, "But we've got a radio spot in the morning. Can it wait?" She shook her head, "No, it can't. I need time with him. He's not learning anything this way." "But what am I suppose to tell the others?" he asked. She shrugged, "I dunno, but I'm sure you'll think of something. As soon as he's recovered, we're leaving. I'll have him back when you reach LA but not before then." "LA, Tracy that's a week and a half away. Kevin is gonna go ballistic that he's skipping out on this promotion, he's gonna want to know where he is," Howie said. "I'm sorry Howie, but he's in more danger here. I can take him and keep him safe and teach him what he needs to know, and you know it," she argued. "I know," Howie admitted. "This his bag?" she asked, picking up one of the two bags that where dropped at the door. "Yeah," he answered. She took it and headed across the room to the balcony, "I'll be right back," she said, disappearing over the side. Howie stared after her, never getting tired of seeing their abilities. It was one of the things that drew him to become a watcher in the first place. That and family. He loved going home and hearing the stories of the various vampires his brothers and sisters were watching. Now he had his own to throw into the mix. He'd watched before, but since the group had really hit it big, it was hard to do. He observed here and there, but it was only on their time off that he got to work in full force. And those days where becoming few and far between. "Howie?" He looked over, seeing Brian staring at him. He smiled, moving from his chair to his friends side, "It's Ok." Brian looked at him, then glanced at the room. Tables were in the floor, chairs knocked over. "Oh God, what'd I do?" Brian asked, horror in his face. "It's alright Bri, Tracy stopped you before you did anything bad," he assured. Tears flowed over Brian's cheeks, "I ...I almost bit you." Howie nodded, "But you didn't." Brian covered his face with his hands, sobs wracking his body, "I'm so sorry ...never wanted to hurt you," he mumbled. Howie pulled him close, "I know buddy, shhhh it's alright." Tracy walked back into the room. Howie looked up at her as she approached them. She gently pulled Brian from Howie, and up to his feet. "Brian, give Howie your key card and come with me," she said. Brian sniffed, "Where are we going?" "I'm taking you to my house. You'll be safe there, and I can teach you how to control all this," she answered. "But we've got a radio interview tomorrow," he protested. "I'll take care of it Brian," Howie said. Brian looked back and forth between the two for a moment, then reached into his pocket and pulled out his key card, handing it to Howie. Tracy handed him a piece of paper. "It's my cell phone. If you need us, call," she said, taking Brian's hand in hers and heading to the balcony. Brian stopped, backing up. "What's wrong?" she asked. "He's afraid of heights," Howie answered. Tracy looked over the railing, then back to them, "Oh .. um alright then. Go down stairs and I'll meet you out front." With that she jumped over the rail. Brian sucked in a breath, running to the railing. He watched as she seemed to float to the ground, landing and then walking toward the parking garage. "Did you see that?" Brian asked, amazed. Howie smiled, "Yup, still amazes me, no matter how many times I see it." "Well, I guess I should be going," Brian said, walking back into the room. "Yeah, don't wanna keep the lady waiting," Howie grinned. Brian turned to face him, "I'm truly sorry D ..I...." Howie held up his hand, "It's alright. No harm done. I'll take care of everything here, you just go and be safe." Brian sighed, pulling Howie into a hug, "Thank you for everything." Howie patted his back, "No problem. Come on, I'll walk ya down." The two rode the elevator down to the lobby and walked through. Somehow they managed to avoid the fans, though neither of them had a body guard or were in disguise. They walked out the front, and stood on the sidewalk, looking up and down the street. A limo turned the corner and stopped in front of them. The back door opened and Tracy stuck her head out, "Your chariot awaits." The two smiled. "Bye Brian, take care," Howie said, giving him one last hug. "Bye D, watch your back," Brian said, leaning in close, "Nick's the slayer." Howie looked at him in shock. "It's on his computer," Brian said, "Just be careful," he said as he climbed into the limo and the door shut. Howie watched it disappear down the street, then turned to go back into the hotel, very confused. Chapter 13 |