| Chapter 9 Brian quickly swallowed the last bit of his drink and rinsed the glass out, running to answer the pounding on his door. He opened it up, "Hey Nick, what's up?" Nick walked in and plopped down on the couch, "Nothin. I woke up early and couldn't go back to sleep. What you doing?" "Well, I was about to get a shower," Brian smiled, "You can stay and watch some TV or something till I get out, then we can go eat if ya want." "Sure, sounds good," Nick said, grabbing the remote and flipping the TV on. Brian went into his bedroom and shut the door. Nick flipped through the channels, not finding anything interesting. He got up and wondered around the room, looking for something to occupy his mind. He noticed the glass sitting on the counter over the mini frig and picked it up, inspecting the remnants of what had been in it. He scratched the thin red ring around the top of the glass with his finger, trying to determine what it was. Then he lifted the glass to his nose and took a good whiff, grimacing when he did. He looked back toward Brian's bedroom, setting the glass back down. "Hey Bri, you up yet?" Howie called, coming through the door. He stopped in his tracks, seeing Nick halfway across the room, "Uh hey Nick, where's Brian?" "Taking a shower," he answered, not moving from his spot. "So, what are you doing?" Howie asked, staring at the younger man intently. "Mmm nothin. Just hangin out," he answered, staring back at Howie with the same intensity. "Oh, well, I'll hang with ya then," Howie said, walking over to the couch and picking up the remote, "You wanna watch something?" Nick shook his head, "Nope, nothin on, already checked." "Oh," Howie said, looking around the room, trying to find something to occupy them, "How bout a game or something? Yeah, you can teach me how to play that Xbox thing." Nick laughed, walking over, "Dude, Xbox is the system, not a game, and I think you're unteachable." "Aw, come on. I'm not that old," Howie grinned. Brian walked out of his bedroom, still towel drying his hair, but dressed. "So what you wanna eat?" he asked, looking up, "Oh hey D, wanna come eat with me and Nick?" "Sure," Howie said, seeing the disappointed and annoyed look on Nick's face. "Cool, give me a sec," Brian said, going back into his room to gather his wallet and comb through his curls. Nick stared sharply at Howie for a moment. A look that could send daggers through your heart. Howie buckled under the stare and found the floor a more suitable place to look. "Kay, ready," Brian said, heading for the door. "Great," Nick said, moving past Howie as fast as he could to catch up with Brian. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian pushed his food around on his plate, never breaking his conversation. The three where sitting in the hotel restaurant, talking about the upcoming tour. "So, I think that we shouldn't have as many dancers this time, ya know," Nick said, taking a drink of his soda. "I dunno, I kinda liked all the dancers the last time. Takes some of the attention off us," Brian replied. "But isn't that what the fans came to see? Us?" Nick retorted with a giggle. "He's got a point," Howie said, immediately getting a glare from his youngest band mate. "Hey guys, mind if we join you?" Kevin asked, as he and A.J. approached the table. "Sure," Brian and Nick said at the same time. They all scooted their plates around to make room. Kevin sat on one side of Brian, Nick on the other. Howie bit his lip, looking down at his plate. "So what's good?" A.J. asked, glancing at the menu. "The eggs are good," Brian said, taking a drink of his water. "And how would you know? You haven't eaten any of yours," Nick pointed out. Brian looked up at him, "Yes I have." Nick shook his head, "No, you've just been pushing them around on your plate. You haven't eaten any." Kevin looked over, "Are you still sick? Cause if you are, I'm calling a doc in." "No Kev, I'm fine," Brian said. "Well you haven't been acting fine," his cousin replied. "Yeah, what's up with you anyway?" A.J. asked. Howie closed his eyes, praying to God the place caught on fire. Something, anything to get all the attention off Brian, especially with him sitting right there. Brian sighed, and looked down at his plate full of eggs, scooping some on his fork and shoving them into his mouth. "There you happy now?" he said with his mouth full. "That's gross Bri," Kevin said. Nick snickered. Brian swallowed, "I'm fine guys. That flu bug had me down for a few days, but I feel 100% better. Now can we drop this and talk about something a little more interesting, like .... um ... oh Nick, didn't you get that new game?" Nick nodded. "Great, I'll play ya on the bus," Brian said excitedly. "You're gonna get beat, I'm the master of that game," Nick grinned. "We'll see about that," Brian smiled. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Howie sat on the bus, keeping an eye on things. Brian and Nick where in the back, deep in battle, yelling taunts at one another as they moved their controls to the game. Kevin was sitting in the front, reading a book. Howie looked out the window, letting his mind wonder for a moment. "Hey, you gonna tell me what's got your knickers in a wad, or do I gotta guess," A.J. said, sitting down next to him. Howie smiled, "What makes you think my knickers are in a wad?" A.J. shrugged, taking off his sun glasses to look at his friend, "Oh, just that you look stressed. You gonna tell me why?" "I'm not stressed Alex," Howie said. A.J. laughed, "Yeah, and I don't have a tattoo on my body. Come on D, you tell me everything. Best friends, remember?" he said, waving his hand between them. Howie sighed, "Yeah, yeah, for life. I remember." "So?" "So, I guess I'm a little worried about the album and all," he lied. "What for man? It's the best one yet," A.J. asked. "I dunno, just that we're getting older and ...." A.J. held his hand up, "Correction. You are getting older. I refuse to age." Howie laughed, "Yeah, whatever. Anyway, the fans are older, and well, what if they don't like our sound, or they've moved on to other things?" A.J. shook his head, "Never gonna happen. We're like a bad penny, we'll just keep turning up and they won't have a choice but to listen and like it," he grinned smugly. "Hope you're right," Howie said. A.J. pulled his shirt out a little, letting it slip from his fingers and pop back into place, "Dude, I'm always right, even when I'm wrong." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick pushed Brian out of the bus, "Dude you suck!" Brian laughed, heading into their hotel for the night, "Hey, I beat you fair and square man." "Nut uh, you cheated," Nick said, "There's no way you beat me every game." "Sorry kiddo, maybe you'll win next time," Brian smiled, walking to the elevators. "Brian!" a batch of screaming girls yelled, running up to them. All the guys where huddled at the elevator doors, their security quickly stepping in front of them. "Please, Brian, can we have your autograph?" one of the girls begged. Brian glanced at the guys, wondering why the girls weren't asking for theirs as well. He stepped out from behind the body guards, "Hi there. What's your name?" he asked as he took the pen and paper from the first girl. A.J. leaned over to Kevin as he watched Brian work the crowd of girls, "What are we, chopped liver?" Kevin shrugged, "Maybe they're all Brian fans?" "I think it's nice that someone besides Nick gets hounded for a change," Howie said. Nick flashed him a glare, "Hey, I like my fans!" "We all like our fans," Kevin said, "Just some of us have more than others." A.J. laughed at Kevin's obvious jealousy over Nick's many fans. "I can't help it that I'm cute," Nick whined. "Well you must not be cute today, look there," A.J. pointed. Nick looked over to see a girl with several Nick buttons on, scrambling for Brian's autograph. "What the ...?" Howie laughed, putting his hand on Nick's shoulder, "Don't it suck when they switch favorites?" "Oh shut up," Nick said, pushing the button again for the elevator. Brian slowly backed toward the guys, still signing every paper shoved in front of his face. "Ok, I gotta go," he said, as he reached the doors. He could see the sad expressions on each girls face, "Bye," he waved, stepping onto the elevator as the doors were closing. As soon as they shut he leaned against them, "Wow." Turning around he saw four pairs of eyes on him, he smiled, "So, that was ah weird huh?" "Well at least we know you have fans," Nick smirked. Brian rolled his eyes and laughed, "Apparently." "Wonder where they've been hiding all this time?" A.J. mused. Howie smacked him in the arm, "Alex!" Brian laughed as the doors opened to their floor. He made his way down the hall to his room. "Alright guys, we have that appearance at the Execs party tonight at nine. Be ready," Kevin reminded them. They all mumbled their replies, going into their rooms. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian stepped into his room and shut the door. "So, what took you so long?" Tracy asked from the couch. Brian dropped his bag and bit his tongue to keep from screaming in surprise. "God, you have got to stop doing that!" he said. She laughed, "Sorry. I forget you can't feel me yet." He crossed the room and sat down next to her, "How'd you know this was my room? I didn't even know until a few minutes ago." "Well, I kinda heard you," she said, flushing with embarrassment. "Heard me?" he asked. She nodded, "Your thoughts. I can hear them. I heard you saying the number in your head." Brian looked at her surprised, "You've been in my head?" "Sorry," she offered. Brian bit his lip, looking at the floor. It was one thing to have her helping him, it was something totally different for her to be traipsing around in his thoughts. "Tracy, my thoughts are private," he said. "I know, and I'm not in there all the time. Just when I need to find you," she said. "I thought you could feel me? Why would you need to be in my head to find me?" he asked. Tracy looked down at the floor. Busted. "Ok, um well, I don't really. I just thought it would help if I knew how you were feeling. Like what's going on in there," she said, pointed to his head, "It'd help me a lot in teaching you." He stared intently at her, "Then ask me next time." She dipped her head in a nod, "I will, sorry." Brian shrugged, "It's Ok. So, I've got five hours before I have to be somewhere." "Alright, then lets get started," she said. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian fussed with his tie. "Ohh here, let me," Tracy said, taking it from him and working on the knot. "Thanks, I've never been any good with these things," he admitted. "Well, I don't like them either. I always thought they made the man look staunch or something," she said, finishing the knot, "But, you weren't a lady in my time if you didn't know how to dress your man." Brian chuckled, "I'd like to hear about your time." "Later, you have a party to go to, and I have watch duty," she said. "You don't have to follow me around," he told her. "Yes Brian I do. You aren't safe, especially in public right now. Until you can recognize a slayer, you can't be alone," she said. Brian sighed and looked in the mirror. His black pants matched his black jacket. The white shirt he had on made his face look pale, except for the tie. It was royal blue and brought out his eyes perfectly. "You look nice," Tracy said, "Now go have fun." He glanced at her, worry in his face, "But what if I vamp out or something?" She shook her head, "You won't. You've already fed tonight, you'll be fine until morning." "You're sure?" he asked. "Of course I'm sure, now stop worrying," she said, ushering him to the door. "Will I see you later?" he asked. Tracy smiled at him, "You want to?" Brian blushed profusely. Tracy laughed, "Sorry, couldn't resist. Anyway, it depends. Let's just play it by ear, K?" "Ok," he agreed. "Ohh, but if you see me during the party, you need to leave, got it?" she instructed. He nodded, "Got it." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian stood in a corner sipping his drink. The party was the usual, Record Execs, PR people, the occasional reporter. He had come to hate these things, but it was part of his business. Every so often you had to put yourself out there and hob nob with the �important' people. He sighed, realizing that none of this was really important anymore. Not compared to what he was dealing with anyway. "God don't you hate these things?" J.C. Chasez said, nursing his own drink. "Yeah, but what you gonna do?" Brian shrugged. "True. Lance eats these things up. I don't think I'll ever understand why," he said. "So does Kevin," Brian added, "Must be something about that business mind of theirs." "Must be, me, I'd rather be home," J.C. replied. "You have no idea," Brian muttered. "Well, good seeing ya," J.C. said, moving off. "You too," Brian called. Brian watched as Nick, Kevin and A.J. talked with several �higher ups' in the label. He knew he should probably go over and be social, but he really didn't feel like it. He kinda felt queasy, and decided to just stay in his corner. He leaned against the wall, watching the little pow wow, noticing as a few more people joined the circle. He didn't recognize them, but that didn't mean anything. The label was all the time hiring new this and that's. A waitress came by, and he placed his glass on the tray. He was surprised when she stopped in front of him, "Mr. Littrell, it's time to go." "Tracy?" he asked, as he got a good look at her. She nodded, grabbing his hand, "Now." "But I can't just leave," Brian protested. "You are in danger, now move it!" she whispered fiercely, pushing him toward the nearest door. Brian glanced back, catching Howie's eye. Howie nodded, like he knew what was going on, then went and joined the pow wow, stopping them from crossing the room to Brian. Tracy pushed him through the kitchen area, leaving the tray as she went, and out the back. "What's going on? Who's in there?" he asked, as she pulled him down the sidewalk. "Slayers, and to damn many of them," she spat. "Slayers? Who?" he asked, turning to face her. She grabbed his arm and pulled him with her, "Don't stop. They might be following." Brian's heart was pumping wildly in his chest. He'd never been so afraid. He and Tracy briskly walked at least six blocks before they slowed down. She looked behind them for a moment, "Ok, I think we're safe." Brian looked in the same direction she was staring, "Are you sure?" "Yeah, I don't feel them. They must have stayed behind," she said. "Maybe they didn't feel me?" he offered, as they turned and slowly walked toward the hotel. She shook her head, "Trust me, they did. I'm just hoping they didn't pin point it as you." "What if they did?" he asked, his throat going dry. She didn't answer. "Tracy?" he asked. "If they did, they'll come after you," she said, seeing his face pale even more, "But don't worry, I'll be there. I won't let them get you." Brian slowed down, holding his stomach. "You Ok?" she asked. "I think I'm gonna be sick," he answered. "You're scared, I can see it," she whispered, gently pulling him along. "But I felt this way before you came and got me," he countered. She stopped in her tracks, turning to face him, "You did?" He nodded. "Tell me how you felt," she demanded. Brian glanced around the dark street, "Um, just kinda queasy. Like my insides were trembling." "Do you feel it now?" she asked. "A little, not as bad though," he answered. "I can't believe this," she muttered, turning to continue their journey back to the hotel. Brian ran to catch up with her, "What? What can't you believe?" "You're already feeling them Brian, and you shouldn't be," she told him. He stared at her, his face a mixture of confusion, fear, and frustration. "You're changing to fast Brian. In all my years, I've never seen this before," she added. "So is that a bad thing?" he asked. She nodded grimly, "Yes it is. It's a very bad thing." Chapter 10 |