Trust In Me by Michelle ([email protected]) Chapter 30 Author's Note: Okay, so this isn't part of the story but it needs to be said... Congrats to Kevin and Brian...on behalf of the Backstreet Girls out there, we are TRULY happy for you. I can smile knowing you both have found the one thing that each of your songs speaks about...true love. I wish you much love and luck in each of your marriages. Just promise us you'll keep Backstreet going strong...you helped make me who I am...you inspired me and I will never forget that. Thanks for your time everyone. I just felt that needed to be said and I figured the best place would be in my fan fic!!! Hope you keep reading...and hey everyone out there...HOW ABOUT SOME FEEDBACK!!! Come on I want to read your reactions!! :) Back to the story now! ***Still in the limo, 5 minutes after Nick's declaration*** Everyone began talking at once. It was a jumble of conversation and confusion. Nick had wowed the crowd, including Mel who watched on from above. Kevin was worried about them being late, but now was freaking out because Nick practically flung himself out of the window. "Oh God..Nick get the hell back in here! Becca..did you see him?? He could have fallen..he could have..." Becca grabbed his arm, which swung wildly with enthusiasm as he spoke. "Kev, relax...that was so romantic and look at him, he's like beaming now. He's fine and we're not even gonna be that late..." AJ looked over at Anna, his eyes wide and crossed with shock, "Whoa, Anna..did you see that! Nick's hair was flapping in the wind and everything! I never would have guessed..." A smile lighting his face, Nick lowered himself to his seat and closed the moon roof. He exhaled deeply as the smells of New York pretzels and hot dogs now filled the limo. Brian looked over to him with a cheesy grin, "You did it man...and wow...you sure knew how to deliver. She never would have expected...I mean, I never could have expected it, and we talked about it...wow..that's all I got to say little buddy, just WOW!" Michelle leaned over Brian, getting closer to Nick's seat so he could hear her, "See, I told you everything would work out!" "You sure did Michelle. I dunno if I could have pulled this off without your help." She answered, "Don't be silly, it was nothing." Brian pulled Michelle back over his lap to her spot, "Hey hunny, you knew about this?" "Well Bri, a girl's got a few secrets here and there!" Pulling her closer for a light kiss, "Not too many I hope." "Naw, not so many, but the fun part is letting you uncover them." "Ohh, now your talking!" He teased seductively. Howie glanced around the limo. Brian and Michelle were all over each other constantly. Nick was now glowing with happiness. Kevin and Becca seemed to still be in that puppy love stage, even though they had the longest relationship going. And AJ and Anna...well they were being AJ and Anna...they were always kissing, touching, never within two inched apart, but Howie expected that from 'J...he was the flirt afterall. But there was like NEVER a break. He was sick of it. He was tired of being out of love. He had tossed the idea around enough...he wanted Selena to be there. He hoped she'd come. Looking around one last time before turning back to the traffic scene outside the limo, he screamed silently, "Damn...must they ALL be in LOVE!" ***Back at Mel's Apartment*** Melanie practically skipped back to the couch, her short brown hair bopping in the rush of wind. She could hardly calm down. It was the first time three words had ever meant so much. HE had done all that for HER...went out of his way to make HER smile and laugh...and for goodness sake SKIP! She loved him with all her heart, but now she knew he did too. It was too perfect for words. She bounced onto her seat on the couch, disrupting the bowl of popcorn next to her, spilling it on the floor. She laughed, not caring about the mess, and only waiting to tell him those same three words. She turned the TV on and could barely stop smiling as the opening scenes came on from the Billboards. ***Backstage...seconds before the boys are ready to perform*** Brian paced back and forth, he stretched, shook out his sore spots. The prayer they all had just recited calmed him a bit, but still he was particularly nervous about this performance. Not noticing he had begun to think aloud he began, "What's up with you 'Rok...take it easy. It's just a show...you've done the awards show scene tons of times before...just chill..." AJ walked stood behind him unnoticed, "Umm...Brian...are you okay man?" Startled, he spun around fast, "Ohh, uhh...ya I just didn't see you there. " "Oh okay, you were just talking to yourself...you know the routine, so don't freak, you'll be fine." he paused before adding, "And I'm here if you need to talk 'Rok." "Thanks 'J...I'm fine really. Michelle's out there watching...and when she looks at me...I dunno...she makes me loose my concentration. I dunno 'J...I'm just thinking about leaving her tomorrow. We're just giving this relationship a chance, and I'm leaving already...I guess I'm just preoccupied." "Ya, I know the feeling. I don't know how I'm gonna make it through all those nights without Anna. Rok...this could get VERY lonely." Suddenly AJ began joking and throwing his voice as he teased, "But, we'll have each other man!" A stage manager yelled for them to take their places...they were on in 5...4...3...2...1... Howie looked out towards the crowd. The opening notes had begun to flow through the speakers. Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely So many words for the broken heart Its hard to see in a crimson love So hard to breathe. Walk with me and maybe... It was appropriate, he figured. Sel hadn't shown up...he wanted her there. It was a mess...their relationship...what happened to them? Why hadn't she come? ...Guilty road to an endless love There's no control Are you with me now? He looked up, his eyes scanned the crowd, he began his verse as they finished the chorus. ...There's no where to run I have no place to go Surrender my heart Body and Soul... It was then that he saw her...dressed in white, pure and unsure as she approached her saved seat. She watched him, his body wet with sweat, his eyes clouded with pain, his lips forming perfectly over the words. Their eyes locked. She let the tears fall, as she whispered, "Run to me baby. Please surrender." ...You are missing in my heart... ***At the same time*** Nick looked towards the audience. He loved being on stage. Even at award shows, the crowd could still get him going. He watched the fans up in the balcony seats. He read a few signs they were holding...'Nick I come to you with Open Arms' "cute, I like that" he thought. 'AJ you're our bad boy' "Always the bad boy 'J," he mumbled. 'Kev...We've got 10,000 Promises for you!' "Ohh...creative, but touchy subject girls!" he recalled. He snapped back to reality realizing his part was coming up. Nick took in a deep breath as he began his lyrics. His friendly stare hardened as his eyes came across their seats...LIZ. She was sitting next to Sel, who apparently just walked in, but Mel should have been sitting there. Oh how he wished he was singing 'Dont' Want You Back' instead. It would have been a lot easier while watching Liz. He let the song capture him once again and tried to forget about Liz and her extremely revealing, bordering tarty, strapless and partly backless dress. "Some girls just don't have any taste," he thought with a chuckle. His thoughts flowed back to the woman he loved. He wondered what Mel was thinking right now. He hoped she was watching. ***Back at Mel's, at the same time*** She sat a few inches away from the TV. She had just drooled over FIVE (hehe she likes them, but not nearly as much as BSB). FIVE's performance had been outstanding, but now Backstreet's was easily surpassing them. It was simply breathtaking. Slowly, her eyes found Nick. She couldn't help herself, she had to laugh. His hair was standing in every direction...completely wind blown...messy was describing it nicely. (AN: Ok...admit it, you all laughed when you saw the hair at the Billboards. Hehe...let's just say Nicky needed a brush...but it WAS cute!) After her laughs quieted, "Oh God...it's like he's singing directly to me. Am I dreaming? I wish he was here right now. I wonder what he's thinking about up there?" ***A few hour Later*** "And the award goes to...BACKSTREET BOYS!!!" They jumped up, screaming with excitement and joy! They made there way through the aisle. Brian ran up there, prepared with a beautiful speech thanking GOD for them all. Before he finished his thank yous, he blew a kiss and waved a "Littrell" hello (ya'll know that wave) to Michelle like he promised her he would do. She watched him, her eyes filling with love and desire. She motioned her hand to catch his kiss. Kevin looked straight at Bec as he began his thank yous. "Ohh..one more thing...congrats to my brother and sister, and there new baby boy, Willy!" He blew a kiss for Bec, and mouthed 'I Love you'. AJ kept his acceptance speech short and sweet. Tipping his cowboy hat and proclaiming his famous, "I love you baby!" Nick thanked the fans, he never forgets them. But didn't forget to add a little love note for Mel to here at home. "This is for you, I love you Baby!" Howie was left. He watched Sel, beautiful and glistening in the light. "Thank you everyone. This is for you...the fans!" He hesitated, turned to AJ, his eyes worried. AJ nodded, knowing what Howie wanted to do. He had seen Sel come and knew Howie was thinking about apologizing up here, on stage. "And baby, I'm sorry. You are missing in my heart." She watched him, his words mending her heart. So much she needed to stop this empty feeling and feel only his warm embrace. ***After the show*** AJ and Anna decided to skip the after parties. They wanted to spend their last night alone. They needed time to say good-bye. AJ found Kevin and Bec and let them know they were heading home. AJ led the way as he and Anna walked out hand in hand, looking for a cab. Bec had decided she and Kev needed to have some fun and celebrate the awards a bit. She had spent too many nights crying, so this was a nice breather. They picked an afterparty at a nearby club. Before leaving, they bumped into Nick. "Hey Kev... have you seen Liz? I'm supposed meet her here." "No Nick..haven't seen her." "Damn. I have to find her so I can drive her home and THEN go to Mel!" "Sorry man. If we see her, we'll tell her you're looking for her." "Thanks." he shouted as he scrambled away frustrated for having to take her home. It was bad enough she had to come, but now he had to waste time looking for her and driving her back to her place. Michelle and Brian walked side by side. "Ya know Michelle," he paused looking her over, noticing her long, sleek clinging dress that showed all her curves in all the right places, the slit revealing just enough leg to make Brian stare. "I haven't told you how gorgeous you look tonight hunny." She blushed, "Thank you Brian. You look pretty darn good yourself." she complimented, noticing his deep red button down shirt, covered with a sharp black jacket, and matching slacks, that hung on him ever so perfectly. He looked so cute, dressed up and sophisticated. Both lost in eah other, they didn't see him coming. "Ohh...ow...sorry guys!" Nick wailed as he crashed into Michelle and Brian. Regaining his balance, Brian joked, "Hey watch it Nicky! You almost knocked us over!" He rolled his eyes, knowing Brian was being annoying, "Have you two see Liz anywhere?" "No...my 'where's Liz" radar must be broken!" Brian teased. Michelle laughed, "Seriously, we haven't seen her anywhere." "Great. I can't believe no one has seen her. She's not hard to miss in that outfit. Did you see what she was wearing Brian? I mean...it's hard NOT to miss that outfit!" Brian nodded, smiling, "Ya, definitely not hard to miss. She was practically..." Michelle punched him lightly, "Hey, hey...watch it Brian. No drooling!" His smirk widened as she broke into a laugh. "OK thanks guys..if you see her, tell her I�m looking for her. If she wants that ride I should have never promised her, tell her to hurry it up. Mel's waiting for me." "Sure thing Nick. We'll tell her." Nick wandered around the building, the place was big, but not that big. He was so pissed, he mumbled aloud, "If she had just been where she was supposed to be, none of this would have happened. I could have been home, holding Mel in my arms. Not looking for some underdressed, spoiled brat, ice queen who..." His mumbles were cut off as he spotted her. Or, spotted what used to be the Liz he knew. She was stumbling out of the bar (the bar within the hotel, where the Billboards were being held) her hair a set of massive tangles, her makeup running, her teeny dress in shambles. "LIZ!" She looked at him, smiling strangely. Her steps towards Nick were tipsy at best. "Damnit Liz...where the hell have you been? I've been looking for you everywhere. I just never thought I should check the bar being that your only 19!! God come on, let's go before you get me arrested, cause I�m not legal yet either!" She shook her head, not wanting to go, saying she wanted another drink. "Don't think so. You've had plenty. Come on. Give me your arm, I'll get you out of here." He took her arm and slung it around his waist. He wasn't about to carry her out. She had gotten herself into this mess, she would have to deal. But, he couldn't just leave her there. Granted, she had brought him hell for the past months, but in all the years he had known her, he had never seen her take a drink before, let alone wasted. Now, she was clearly drunk, and he wasn't about to let her pass out alone. He would take her home, get her to bed and that would be it. He'd tell Mel the truth, and she'd understand...he hoped. Just as she was losing her balance, his cell phone rang. Quickly, he grabbed it. "Hello!" he snapped. "Nick...are you ok? Where are you?" "Mel, I...I...I can't talk now! Liz needs me!" He shouted desperately as his phone dropped to the floor, along with Liz�s weary legs. He sweared loudly, as he picked her up and resorted to carrying out the collapsed Liz. Melanie dropped back onto the couch. "Liz needed him...What the hell was that about?" she yelled aloud. She refused to cry, if he HAD to be with Liz, he would have a good reason, he had to...or else. But for now, until she got that reason, her head spun. She didn't want to lose him..not to her. It was bad enough that the whole world thought he was still dating Liz, but now he had confessed that jerky Liz needed him. But the question was, did he still need her? She looked at her packed bags which were sitting next to the front door. She had left them there, ready to go for tomorrow. Now all she wanted to do was unpack. She unfolded the blanket at the foot of the couch. She covered herself, laying her troubled head on a pillow to rest and wait up for the 'needed Nick'. *** AJ held her close as he and Anna made their way up the poorly lit staircase. He kissed her, teasing and torturing her. Making her want him, he continued to let his lips brush against her ear. They stopped when she reached the front door of her apartment. She reached for her purse, looking for her keys. AJ was growing impatient as his lips collided with her bare neck. Anna pleasantly startled by his lips reaching the new area, spoke up quietly, "Umm AJ...we have a slight problem." He pulled away, a little confused. Was he doing something wrong? He didn't think so. She seemed to be enjoying his slight tease for what was to come. Ohh...he thought about that pesky woman's friend that stopped by every month or so...maybe... "What's wrong baby? We don't have to...to..umm...continue this, if ya don't want to...if there's a particular reason why you can't or whatever I understand..." he continued to ramble, nervous with this sort of topic. "No, no, 'J...not THAT sort of problem." she giggled thinking of how adorable he was being, trying to spit that out. "Then what Anna?" "I don't have my keys." "For the apartment?" "Yes AJ...what other key would I be looking for while standing in front of our door in the cold?" "Sorry." he replied slightly annoyed for her sarcastic tone. He reached and felt his own pockets, "I don't have mine either." "Great, we're locked out 'J!" "Well whose fault is that? Why don't you have your keys with you in your purse. Girls are supposed to carry everything in those darn pocket books! And you forget your KEYS!" "I'm sorry AJ...but my keys don't exactly fit in this tiny purse!" she shouted holding up a minute evening bag which probably held only a lipstick and one tissue in you squeezed it in there! "Our last night to say good-bye, are we're stuck out here! Anna what the hell are we gonna do now?" he shouted as he offered his jacket to her. She was shivering and only in her top and skirt. She accepted it gratefully, a peace offering as they huddled by the door, keyless. Howie had been looking high and low for Selena. After his acceptance speech, he needed to see her. He had to talk and make it better again. He finally spotted her near a fountain. He got her attention as he tossed a penny in. The splash alarmed her and she turned around, noticing he was there. "Howie..." "You know what I wished for Sel?" *** Kevin and Becca entered the club. They made there way over to an empty table and ordered a few drinks (yes they're of the legal age). They sat across from one other, gazing at each other like young lovers. A familar song swept across the room. His ears filled with its melody... There are times I swear I know I know you're here When I forget about my fears Feeling you my dear Watching over me... "Baby, you wanna dance." "Sure Kevin." She smiled slowly as he took her hand and led her to the dance floor. My hope seeks What the future will bring When you wrap me in your wings And take me where you are... His arms encircled her waste slowly, she had never felt so safe. Where you and I will breathe together once again We'll be dancing in the moonlight just like we used to do And you�ll be smiling back at me Only then will I be free When I can be where you are He brought his hand up to caress her soft cheek, "Becca, I have to ask you something." *** Brian took Michelle's hand as he led her to his couch. She kissed him, her lips locking with his as if it was the last time they would ever meet. They tumbled onto the couch in a heap. He pulled away breathless, unable to look her in the eye for fear this was all a dream and he would soon have to wake up. He licked his beauty-marked lower lip. Her fingers trailed the spot on his lip where he had just licked. She looked over his shoulder for a moment, "Brian..." "No, let me go first. I have wanted to say this Michelle. Wanted to tell you how I felt...but..." "No Brian..look...Tyke!" "Oh Tyke..No, Daddy said NO!" Brian jumped up as Tyke munched away at his favorite pair of shoes. He grabbed the little rascal and brought him to a shoe-free environment. Scolding him, well at least trying to, his puppy dog eyes made that difficult. "Tyke...now how many times has Daddy said NOT to eat his shoes!!" adding with a whisper, "And you kinda killed the mood for me and Michelle. Thanks Tykie baby...I was just about to tell her how much I..." She walked up from behind him, startling him, causing Tyke to jump from his muscled arms. He stared at her, lost in her green eyes. He blinked, his own blue eyes building with desire "Tell me what Bri?" "Umm...just that...how much...I...umm..." Next: Chapter 31 -FanFics -Home