| Chapter 16 "So we're all set then?" Tara asked. "I think so," Gideon answered. Tracy and Jade nodded their agreement as well. "Good," Nick said, taking a deep breath. The group had been planning all day, and it was now late afternoon. "So we leave in the morning then," Tara said. "Yeah, you two go have fun with Brian and Lyn and relax tonight," Tracy said. Nick laughed, "I'm not sure if I can relax, but I'll try." "Nick, if you're having second thoughts about this, you need to say something," Gideon said. "Yeah, no one is making you go back," Jade added. Nick ran his hand through his hair, and glanced at Tara. "I'm not really, I just....... I'm worried about Tara," he said. Tara looked at him perplexed, "Me? Why?" Nick stared at her, "Because of what you're gonna have to do. What they are gonna teach you and expect you to do. I know I can handle myself, but I'm worried about how this is gonna affect you." The three looked at Tara, and she saw the same concern in all their faces. "Guys, I'll be fine. Nick, you're gonna be there with me, so I know nothing really bad will happen. And if we get in over our heads, all it takes is one word and we get pulled out. Don't worry," she said. "You're sure?" Nick asked. Tara took his hand in hers, staring deep into his eyes, "I'm positive. We're together in this, until the end." Nick smiled at her, "OK then, I'll try not to worry to much." "Good, so we're done?" Tara asked. Gideon nodded. She stood up, pulling Nick with her, "Lets go over, I'm starving and I smell food." Everyone laughed. Nick looked back at the three, "See you in the morning." They nodded, disappearing from the house. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Lyn, do you have a turner?" Brian asked, walking into the kitchen. She looked at him, "A turner? What's that?" "You know, a flat thing you flip burgers with," he laughed. "Oh, yeah I do, second drawer," she answered. "You don't know what a turner is?" he asked, retrieving the utensil. "I know what it is, we just don't call them that," she teased. "Oh, OK," he said, leaving the kitchen and heading out to the grill. She watched him walk out, smiling. He had been back to his old self today, goofy as ever. They had gotten up late and went into town, stopping to have brunch. Then they rented several movies for the night, and stopped by the market, getting the things they needed for an old fashioned cookout. Brian was busy with the grill, while Lyn was preparing the rest of the meal inside. Tara came through the door, leaving Nick outside with Brian. "Hey, you need some help?" she asked, coming into the kitchen. Lyn smiled, "I think it's all about done. Unless there's something you want we don't have." Tara laughed, looking at the spread of food on the counter, "Nope, I think you guys covered it all," she said, grabbing a few chips from an open bag and popping one in her mouth. Lyn leaned against the counter, "You look tired." "I am," Tara said, "We've been working out our plans all day." "Oh," Lyn said, looking down to the floor. "Don't worry. We'll take care of each other," Tara said, trying to reassure her. Lyn looked back up, "I know you will, but I'm still gonna worry." Tara laughed, "I know, just like I'm gonna worry about you guys." Lyn cocked her head to the side, "Us? Why are you worrying about us?" Tara brushed the chip crumbs from her fingers walking over next to Lyn and speaking in a hushed tone, "I don't know what you two are hiding from us, but I know it has you worried. Whatever is going on with Brian, has you scared." Lyn swallowed hard. She knew Brian didn't want them to know, but with their senses how could they not? "I am worried," she admitted. "Can you tell me what's going on? I can tell that he doesn't feel good sometimes," Tara said. Lyn shrugged her shoulders, "He doesn't want you guys to know." "Does he know what it is?" Tara asked. Lyn shook her head. "OK, I'm not gonna pressure you," Tara said, "But if you guys need us while we're gone, all you have to do is ask Lucas or William to come get us." "Brian would never do that though," Lyn said, "He's to afraid of getting you guys in trouble." Tara put her hand on Lyn's arm, "I don't care about that. If you need us, we'll be here. Promise me if something happens that you'll send for us." Lyn bit her bottom lip, "I'm not sure I can. Brian would be furious." "Lyn," Tara said in a stern voice, "Promise me." Lyn sighed, looking up at her friend, "OK, I promise." "I'm holding you to that," Tara said. Lyn nodded, "I know." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "So man, what kind of seasonings did you put on those?" Nick asked, eyeing the burgers on the grill. Brian laughed, "I'm cooking here. Don't worry about it." Nick laughed, "Yeah, um OK, whatever." Brian stared at his friend, "You're doubting my grilling ability? Do I need to remind you who taught you how to grill?" Nick held his hands up, "I never said I doubted you could grill. I just asked if the burgers were seasoned, that's all." Brian laughed as he flipped a few burgers over, "They are. You know, I think all those cooking lessons with Howie have gone to your head." Nick grinned, "Hey, I cook very well now thank you." "I know, and it's scary," Brian said. Nick rolled his eyes, sitting down on a patio chair. He watched Brian fuss over the grill for a second. "Bri, is something going on?" he asked. Brian came over and sat down, "What do you mean?" "I mean yesterday when you were so tired. Is something going on you aren't telling us?" Nick asked, as serious as he could be. Brian stared at his friend, "I'm fine. You don't have to worry." Nick shook his head, "Bri, don't lie to me. I know you better than that. Just tell me, please." Brian looked at the ground, not wanting to face Nick. "Bri, we're best friends and always will be. You've told me everything before, why not now?" Nick asked. His voice had a hurt tone to it. Brian rubbed his eyes for a second, the smoke from the grill making its way over and stinging them. Nick, I can't tell you, because I don't know yet," he finally said. Nick looked at him concerned, "Are you sick?" Brian shrugged his shoulders, "I dunno." "Well are you gonna find out?" Nick asked. "Yeah, next week," Brian said. Nick sighed, "Will you let us know?" Brian shook his head, "No, not until you guys come back." "Bri," Nick started. "No Nick, I will not risk you guys getting caught. I'm sure everything is fine, so you don't need to worry, OK?" Brian said, getting up and walking back over to the grill. "Bri, you know we're gonna worry wether you tell us or not," Nick said. "I know, but you need to be focused on what you're doing, not worrying about me. I'd never forgive myself if you guys got caught, and possibly hurt because I was a distraction to you," Brian said, facing him. Nick sighed, knowing he wasn't going to get anything out of him. Brian had that determined look, and when he got that, there was no reasoning with him. "Alright," he said, "I'll try not to worry to much." Brian smiled, "I'm sure everything is alright." Nick stared at him, "I hope so." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Everyone was having a great time. Brian and Lyn had rented all of their favorite movies, and they were well into them. The food was almost gone. Everyone was hungrier than they thought. Brian came out of the kitchen with his and Nick's beer. "There's no more chips," he said, sitting down. "We ate all the chips?" Lyn asked, astonished. "Yup," Brian said, putting his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. Lyn leaned into him, loving how his arm felt around her. She looked over, seeing Nick looking at her. He smiled, and she smiled back. They were finally where they needed to be, and they both knew it. "So, you guys want to do lunch tomorrow?" Brian asked. Tara and Nick looked at each other. "Um we can't," Nick said. "Why?" Lyn asked. "We're leaving tomorrow," Tara announced. "So soon?" Brian and Lyn asked. "Yeah, we need to. The longer we're gone, the harder it's gonna be to convince them of our story," Nick said. Brian and Lyn sat quietly, looking at the two, not knowing how to feel about them leaving. "Plus," Tara said, "I'm sure you two would love to have some alone time. You know, no one here to bother entertaining and all." They all laughed. "Yeah, I guess," Brian said. "We just don't want you to go," Lyn said. "We know," Nick told her, "If there was another way, we'd do it, but there's not." Just then Ted came through the door. "Evening all," he said, walking in. "Hey," Nick said, "What brings you here?" Ted glanced at Brian and Lyn, "Oh...I just came by to see how my favorite niece is doing." Lyn laughed, "Very funny. I'm the only niece you have left." Ted smiled, "Hence, my favorite." Everyone laughed. Lyn got up and walked into the kitchen with Ted. "So how is he today?" Ted asked, once they were safely away from ear shot. "Good. He's hasn't been tired at all today, and he hasn't had any of the other symptoms either," she answered. Ted smiled, "Good, just what I wanted to hear." "Did you schedule the tests?" Lyn asked. He nodded, "Yes, for Monday morning." Lyn sighed, "That's still four days away." "I know, but that was as soon as I could get them without it being an emergency," he said. She nodded, "OK." They walked back into the living room. Brian nodded at Ted, and he smiled back. "Well I guess I'll head home," he said. "Don't let us run you off," Nick said. "Naw, you kids have fun. I'll see you tomorrow," Ted said, making his way to the door. Nick got up and followed him, "Um Ted, Tara and I are leaving in the morning." Ted nodded, "Lyn told me what you are doing. I wish you didn't have to." "Us to, but it has to be done," Nick said. "Well, be careful OK. I didn't put all that hard work into you to have you go off and get hurt," Ted said, trying to hide his real emotions. He loved Nick like a son, and would worry over him just like a father. Nick laughed, "We'll be careful. Um, could you do me a favor though?" "Sure, name it," Ted said. Nick glanced back at Brian, "Make sure he's OK. I know something isn't right with him. Just don't let him pull the stubborn act with you and refuse something that could help him, OK?" Ted put his hand on Nick's shoulder, "I'll do my best with him, I promise." "Thanks," Nick said. Ted nodded, "I mean it, be careful, OK?" Nick smiled, "I will." Ted pulled him into a quick hug, then waved his goodnights to the rest, walking out the door. He made it out to his car before the first tear fell. God, please protect them while they're gone, he prayed as he started the car and left. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Everyone was slumped down in the couches, yawning. The last movie was nearing its end, and they were all almost asleep. When the credits finally rolled, Brian turned the TV off and looked at them. "Man, I'm tired," he said, through a yawn. Tara looked at the clock, "Wow, I didn't realize it was that late. We need to go," she said, looking at Nick. He sighed, "Yeah, we do." "You're gonna come by before you leave, right?" Lyn asked. Nick and Tara stood up, both stretching. "Yes, we'll come over before we leave," Tara confirmed. "Good," Brian said, walking over and hugging her. "Goodnight," she said, going from Brian to Lyn, and hugging her as well. "Night," Nick said, waving as he and Tara headed for the door. "I'm almost to tired to walk over," Tara said. "Then we won't," Nick said, taking her hand in his. They both looked back at Brian and Lyn. "See you in the morning," Tara said, then they vanished from the room. "Dang," Brian said, looking at where they had just stood, "I didn't know they could do that." Lyn laughed, "I'm sure there are things they can do that we'll never know." Brian smiled, "And that's probably a good thing." Lyn laughed as she turned out the light, "Well Mr. Littrell, are you ready to go to bed?" Brian took her in his arms, slowly walking them to the bedroom, "Uh huh, but I'm not sleepy," he teased. Lyn smiled, "I'm not either." Brian stopped walking, and looked at her, "Oh, then whatever will we do?" he asked, coyly. Lyn took his hand and pulled him the rest of the way to the bedroom, "I'm sure we could think of a few things." Even in the dark she could see the look on Brian's face. It was one of love, and desire. "Oh I'm sure we could, Ms. Jackson, I'm sure we could," Brian said, walking into the room with her and shutting the door behind him. Chapter 17 |