| Chapter 31 Over the next week Nick continued to improve. He was now taking short walks down the hall, and was ready to leave the hospital. Brian had been insistent that Nick and Lyn come stay with him until Nick was up for the long flight home. Aleisha wasn't thrilled with the idea, but went along, liking the fact that she could keep an eye on Nick. Lyn had been distant to Nick ever since he'd asked her to leave the room. He couldn't stand what his act was doing to her, to them, but the consequences of anyone finding out he knew were greater than the pain he was feeling now. Nick sat on the bed in the hospital room. Lyn was helping him put his shoes on. "We're going to Brian's house?" Nick asked. "Yeah, just until you're up for the trip home," Lyn said. "OK," he said, "Does Aleisha live there too?" "Yeah," she said, standing up. "Oh," Nick said, looking around the room, "Did we get everything?" Lyn smiled, "Yeah, you didn't have much here to get." Brian and Kevin walked in the room. "Hey Nick, you ready to leave?" Brian asked. He nodded his head. "Well, you look better," Kevin said. "Thanks," Nick said, not knowing if that was a compliment or what. A nurse came in with the discharge papers and Nick tried to sign them. He found holding a pen with the bandages on his hands a bit difficult. Ted walked in, "Nick, you take it easy OK?" "I will," he said. "No overdoing anything. Just sit and rest," Ted instructed. Nick smiled and nodded. "You ready Uncle Ted?" Lyn asked. "Whenever you are honey," he said. Lyn handed Brian Nick's bag and walked over to Nick, "I'm gonna take Ted to the airport, then I'll meet you at Bri's OK?" Nick was disappointed, "You aren't coming with me?" "No, you'll be fine. I'm sure Kevin and Brian won't bite or anything," she said, smiling. Nick looked at them, "I don't know about that." They all laughed. An orderly came in with a wheelchair. Nick slid off the bed and sat down, ready for his ride out of there. They all walked down the hall and rode the elevator down to the ground floor. "This is where we part," Kevin said. "Yeah, there are some fans out in the parking lot, so we need to take the service exit out," Brian said. "OK, you guys take care," Ted said, shaking their hands. "You too. Thanks for everything," Kevin said. Nick looked up at Ted, "Thanks for saving my life, again." Ted laughed, "All in a days work. I'll see you soon." Nick watched as Lyn and Ted left, getting swarmed by the fans that were waiting outside. "OK, now's our chance," Kevin said, turning and going down the hall. They made their way through a maze of doors and hallways until they were finally outside. Brian's car sat parked in front of the door. The orderly wheeled Nick over to the passenger side, and he got up, getting in the back seat. Brian and Kevin got in and they took off, avoiding the fans altogether. It was a short ride to Brian's house. Nick spent most of it looking out the window. He had to always be on his toes, looking like he was seeing things for the first time. It was mentally exhausting to him. "Nick, is anything looking familiar?" Kevin asked. Nick looked at him, "No. It's pretty though." "Oh, well you used to live out here," Kevin said, noticeably disappointed that he didn't recognize anything. "Oh," Nick said, looking back out the window. They pulled up the drive and Nick stared at Brian's house. "This is your house?" he asked. Brian parked the car, "Yeah." "Wow, that singing thing must really pay good," Nick said. Brian and Kevin laughed. Kevin helped Nick out of the car while Brian got his bag. They walked to the front door and went in. At the sight of the house, Nick's knees went out from under him. Kevin caught him, walking him to the couch and sitting him down, "You OK?" Nick was breaking out in a sweat and shaking, all the memories of what happened flooding back in an instant. "Nick, look at me," Kevin said, "Are you OK?" Nick nodded his head, trying to get control of his emotions, "Yeah, just to much excitement I think." Kevin and Brian looked at each other. "Nick, you sure. We could call Ted and have him come back," Brian said. He shook his head, "I'm OK really. I'm just really tired." Aleisha came into the room, seeing the concerned looks on Brian and Kevin's faces, "Is something wrong?" Brian looked up at her, "I think the car ride over here was a little much for him." "Oh, well his room is fixed up if he want's to lay down," she said. "I'd like that," Nick said. Kevin and Brian helped him up and walked him upstairs and into his room. They turned down the bed as Nick crawled in. Brian pulled his shoes off and helped him get comfortable. "Thanks for letting me stay here," Nick said. "It's the least I can do," Brian said, getting up and walking to the door, "We'll be downstairs if you need anything, just yell." Nick nodded his head and watched as they left the room, closing the door behind them. Get a grip Carter, you almost blew it down there, he told himself. He relaxed a little, realizing he really was tired. He closed his eyes and prayed for God to help him do what he had to, drifting to sleep halfway through the prayer. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lyn was quite for most of the ride to the airport. Finally Ted broke the silence, "Honey, tell me what's bothering you." Lyn glanced over at him, "Nick, what else?" Ted nodded his head, "I know this is hard on you." "Hard doesn't even begin to describe it. He doesn't even remember us. I mean...I know he's trying. There's still a connection there, but it's just....not enough," she said. "I know, but you have to put yourself in his shoes. He wakes up not remembering anything at all about his life or who he is, and there are these people there telling him all these things. I think he's doing remarkably well considering," Ted said. Lyn sighed, "I know. I think he is too, but...." "Lyn, give him time. Maybe he'll remember something. And even if he doesn't, you said it yourself, there's still a connection. He could fall in love with you again," Ted said. She stared at the road in silence, thinking about what he'd just said. "What if he doesn't though?" she asked. Ted looked at her, "Honey, I don't know. Nothing in this life is a given. All I know is that I'll always be here for you whenever you need me." She smiled at him, "Thanks." They pulled up to the hanger. "Now, you go back and take care of him," Ted said, getting out of the car, "Call me if you need anything." "I will, be careful," she said. "I love you," Ted said. "Love you too," Lyn called after him. She watched until he'd made it into the plane before turning the car around and heading to Brian's. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian answered the door. Howie, A.J., Kira, and Leighanne were there. "Hey guys, come on in," Brian said. They all went in and headed for the living room. Angel was bouncing around, happy to see everyone. "Where's Nick?" A.J. asked. "In bed, the ride over really tired him out," Kevin said. "Oh, did he see Angel?" Howie asked. "No, we locked her in one of the rooms when we brought him home. Didn't want her scaring him to death or anything," Aleisha said. "Yeah, I guess to someone that doesn't know her, the sight of her would be scary," Leighanne said. Lyn came through the door and walked in, "Hey guys." "Ted get off OK?" Brian asked. "Yeah," she said, sitting down on the couch. "So what's the agenda for tonight?" Kristin asked. "I brought some old movies from a couple of the tours. I thought if Nick wanted to watch them, we could do that," Kevin said. "Yeah, looking at pictures is one thing, but actually seeing and hearing us, that might spark something," Howie said. "Guys we can't force him," Aleisha said. "I know, but we could help him along a little," Brian said, smiling. They all began discussing the best way to go about getting Nick's memory back, no one noticing Angel climb the stairs and go into Nick's room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick woke up, feeling something on the bed. He opened his eyes, seeing Angel laying next to him. "Angel, God I missed you," he whispered, hugging her. She whined at him. "It's OK, I know you couldn't help me," he said, "But you can help me now." Angel cocked her head to the side, looking at him. "I have to act like I don't remember anyone, that includes you," Nick said. Angel whined. "I know, I don't like it either, but if she finds out I know...." Nick started. Angel emitted a low deep growl, full of hate. "Angel, you can't let her know I know OK? You can't act any different than you have been," Nick said. She looked at him with sad eyes. "Let me know you understand, my life depends on it," he said. She barked and wagged her tail. "OK, now don't let this scare you, but I have to act like I've never seen you before," he said. Angel looked at him, as Nick took a breath and let out a horrific scream. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A.J. looked around, tired of the conversation everyone was having. "Guys, where's Angel?" he asked, not seeing her anywhere. They all stopped and looked around. "I don't know where she got off to," Brian said. Just then Nick screamed. "Oh shit, Angel!" Brian said, running up the stairs and into Nick's room. Everyone followed. Nick was backed up against the wall, trying to put anything he could find between him and wolf. Angel was whining at him, trying to come closer to him. "Angel, stop," Brian said, shooing her off the bed. Angel got down and walked over to the corner of the room, sitting down. "Nick, it's OK," Brian said, sitting on the edge of the bed next to him, "She's a pet." Nick was trembling, staring at the wolf, "A pet?" "Yeah, she wouldn't hurt a fly. Actually you and she were good friends before...." Brian started. "That's why she was in here, she used to sleep with you," Aleisha said. Nick looked back at Angel, then to Brian, "But she's a wolf." Brian smiled, "I know, but she is the smartest animal I've ever seen. Let her come here and I'll introduce you to her." Nick hesitated, then nodded his head. "Angel, come here," Brian said. She got up and jumped on the bed, laying down next to Nick. "You can pet her," Brian said. Nick's hand was shaking as he reached out and touched the top of Angel's head. Angel whined and inched closer to Nick. Nick pulled his hand back, still afraid of her. "Angel, Nick doesn't remember you," Brian said. Angel looked from Brian to Nick, then whined. "So you have to be careful with him until he gets used to you again," Aleisha said. Nick stared at Angel, hoping she wouldn't do anything to tip Aleisha off. Angel licked Nick's hand then jumped off the bed and left the room. Nick breathed a sigh of relief. "You feel like getting up?" Lyn asked. "Yeah, I don't think I could go back to sleep now, even if I wanted to," Nick said, swinging his legs around and trying to stand up. "You need some help?" Brian asked. "No, I can get it," Nick said, making it on the second try. He stood there for a moment, getting his bearings, then turned and headed towards the door. He noticed on the way out that the mirror had been replaced. He looked on his way down the stairs. The banister was freshly painted, and the carpet had been cleaned. He got halfway down the stairs and stopped. Kevin and Howie were close, just in case he fell. Nick took a couple breaths and continued down the stairs, finding the recliner when he reached the bottom. Lyn grabbed the afghan off the couch and laid it across Nick's legs, "You need anything?" "I'm kinda thirsty," he said. "OK, I'll get you something," she said, heading into the kitchen. Nick noticed that everyone was staring at him, "What?" "Nothing, it's just that every time you come over you sit in that chair," Brian said. "Really?" Nick said, looking surprised. "Yeah, you do," Kevin said. Lyn came back with a glass of tea handing it to Nick. "What's this?" he asked. "It's tea," she said, seeing the look on his face, "You like it." Nick stared at the glass for a moment before taking the straw in his mouth and drinking. He drank half the glass before he stopped. "That's good," he said. "See, I told you, you liked it," Lyn said, smiling. Everyone laughed, including Nick. Nick carried on small talk with everyone. He could tell they all wanted him to remember something. He watched Aleisha too, she was nervous, but there was also something else. A kind of arrogance he hadn't noticed before. They all ate dinner and were back in the living room. Kevin had pulled out the old movies, one from their Millennium tour was on. Nick watched, trying to see it through new eyes. He knew they were all watching him, studying his reactions. He laughed as he watched himself pour cold water on Brian in the shower. Then the next scene was of him and Tara, goofing off backstage. "Who's that?" Nick asked. "That's Tara. Remember we told you about her a few days ago," Kevin said, not wanting Brian to have to answer. "Oh," Nick said, glued to the screen, "She's pretty." Brian got up and left the room, not able to watch any longer. "Did I say something wrong?" Nick asked, his heart breaking for Brian. "No honey, I'm sure it's just hard for him to watch," Lyn said. Nick looked at them all, "It's hard for all of you to watch." "Yes it is. She meant a lot to us all," Kristin said. Aleisha got up and followed the same path as Brian. Nick tried not to notice, focusing on the movie. "Who's that kid?" he asked. A.J. laughed, "That's Aaron, your little brother." "I have a brother?" Nick asked. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Aleisha found Brian in the exercise room, sitting on the bench. "You alright?" she asked, sitting down next to him. "Yeah, it's just a little hard to watch," he said. She took his hand in hers, "I understand." He looked up at her, "I just can't believe that he doesn't remember anything. It's like we're having to tell him who he is." "Bri, maybe with time he'll get some of his memory back. Right now though, he's depending on us. We're the only link he has to his past, so we need to be there for him, answer his questions, help him," she said. Brian smiled at her, "I know. It's hard though." "No one ever said anything in this life would be easy," she said. He nodded, "Guess we better get back." "Yeah, we are the hosts," she said, getting up and pulling him after her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The rest of the night was filled with old movies and talk of things that happened as the boys were touring. Nick genuinely had a good time, though he was ever mindful of what he was saying and how he reacted to things. By the time everyone left he was completely exhausted. Lyn helped him up to his room and he got ready for bed. She waited until he was in bed before getting up to leave. "Where's your room?" Nick asked. "I'm next door," she said. "Lyn, would you stay a minute?" Nick asked. She walked back over and sat down. Nick sat up in bed and looked at her, "When was our first kiss?" Lyn smiled, "Well, let's see. You were staying with me, after the whole ocean thing..." Nick nodded, "Ted told me that part." "Anyway, you were still really sick, and depressed. We had stayed up all night talking, and when I woke up you were sitting in front of the windows, watching the sun rise. I went over and sat down next to you, your fever was back and I was really concerned. You begged me to just let you sit there, so I did. The sun came through the window, blinding me, and when I turned around, you leaned over and kissed me," she said, picturing the scene in her head. Nick smiled, "That sounds romantic." Lyn laughed, "It was kinda." "Kinda?" he asked. "Well Ted came in and found us, and you started going down hill, so we had to take you to the hospital," she answered. "Oh, I see," Nick said. They stared at one another for a few moments. "Lyn, I know this hurts you, I can see it in your eyes," Nick said, "I'm trying to remember..." "Nick, don't force yourself. Yes it hurts, but I understand. In time, we'll find each other again," she said, trying to reassure him as well as herself. Nick reached over and took her hand in his, staring into her eyes, "There's so much love there in your eyes." Lyn blinked away a tear and smiled at him, "I love you with all my heart." Nick was trying his best to hold back his tears, but they came anyway. He let them fall down his cheeks. Lyn wiped them away, "Why are you crying?" "I just...I feel like I woke up in a nightmare. I don't know who I was before, and I'm afraid that I won't be the person you love, now," Nick said. Lyn cupped his cheek in her hand, "Nick, you already are. You are the same loving, caring, funny, annoying person I fell in love with." "Annoying?" he asked, smiling. She nodded her head, "Very much so, but I love that in you." Nick reached up and took her hand from his face, "Thank you." "For what?" she asked. "For staying by me, even when I didn't want you there," he said. "Nick, I'll never leave you, and I'll never give up on you," she said. Nick was staring at her, "Um, this sounds corny, but can I hug you?" Lyn laughed, "Of course you can, and it's not corny." Nick smiled as they hugged, wanting more, but knowing he couldn't. Lyn pulled away and smiled at him, "You better get some sleep." Nick scooted down in the bed, "Goodnight Lyn." "Night Nick," she said, turning off the light and leaving the room. Chapter 32 |