Chapter

Ali never saw it coming. She was totally unprepared for the smack on her arm. The smack that Kaylee gave her .. that hurt like hell ... that was followed with.......

"HOLY SHIT ALI! That guy...that g..gguy up there.... he looks so much like Kevin!! But, Kevin's hair is different.......and..and ... HOLY SHIT!!"

Ali leaned her ear over to Kaylee's mouth in time to hear...'Kevin's hair...different...HOLY SHIT!' and then Kaylee was silent.

"Kaylee...sweetie...is that Kevin.....your Kevin?"

"Al...I don't know for sure. I mean, hell...I can't imagine there's TWO men that look like that...b....but...Kevin...I mean....his hair....its long...loose....not braided," Kaylee yelled to her friend, in a very loud..emotion filled voice, "I...I just don't know.......it was late....d..dark..SHIT....he was trashed....eyes....all red..puffy......SHIT!!!!"

"Kaylee...forget about that and just enjoy the show. Ya know...even if he is the same guy...he sure didn't seem like some head up his ass superstar, did he? No..not from what you said. So just go with it.....have fun...if its him..so be it.....if it isn't....so be it! Kay...even if it IS him...well...wait and see, OK? He just might be interested...who knows??????"

"Ooohh yeah Al...like HE would be interested in ME?!?!? But, you're right ...lets make the best of this and have some fun. Whatever happens...happens...."

And, with that said....five men in black leather marched to the front of the stage ... saluted ... and one would change Kaylee's life forever.
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Kevin made his way through the first two songs...they were pieced together and he loved to perform them. They were songs written to their fans, and Kevin was truly appreciative of all that the fans do. He put his heart and soul into those two numbers. He was also very fond of the next song. It was funny what a crotch grab and a bare arm could do to the crowd. Kevin was in favor of the tear away sleeve part, in the routine, from the very beginning...but he wasn't quite sure how the choreographed crotch grab would be received. He shouldn't have worried...it was received very well! It was also a fairly complicated dance number...but he found it to be one that he truly enjoyed doing. With that song done, they were lowered under the stage to change again.

And, so the night went..................

The show had reached the half way point, and the guys were trying to take a few breaths before starting the second half. The audience watched a video of them changing costumes. It was a clever idea. A good way to keep the crowd busy, while they rested for a few minutes, and then changed again. They donned disguises and made their way to the rear of the venue for the start of the second half of the show.

They removed their disguises and then positioned themselves on the small stage.

Kevin took a few very deep breaths. This was always the hardest part of the show for him. HIS song was next...his time to share his feelings for his dad with the rest of the world. His time to seek out the answers he was so desperate for...

The small stage rose above the crowd...and the group's voices rose as one......

Kaylee and Ali almost fell back into their chairs when they heard the sound....."show me the meaning....of being lonely......." With a slight left turn of their bodies, the small stage was directly in front of them. Ali had the aisle seat...which now was front row for the second/small stage. She grabbed Kaylee's hand and pulled her next to her.

Kaylee couldn't let go of Ali's hand. As soon as she heard the music...her eyes filled with tears. This song....god...I didn't think it would affect me this much, Kaylee thought. She closed her eyes blinking back the tears and singing along with the music. Then she heard it......that voice...again. She heard it clearly and she thought she had gotten a good look at him during his "talk" to the audience...but, maybe it was denial...or fear of rejection, that kept her telling herself he wasn't her Kevin...he just couldn't be?!?

But, that voice....she would never .. in two lifetimes .. forget that voice. That voice that was so full of emotion last night...yet so deep...so sexy.....it was coming from right in front of her.....

"Life goes on.......as it never ends........eyes of stone.......observe the trends............"

Kaylee opened her eyes...blinked back the tears....and looked up.

"...........they never say..........forever gaze if only....."

There he was.....eyes closed....singing.............

"........guilty roads to an endless love..........."

Kaylee's heart was in her throat. He looked to be in so much pain.

"...........there's no control ..... are you with me now..........."

At that moment .. Kevin did as he always did......he reached out to seek his dad.

"your every wish.....will be done.............."

Kaylee was now sobbing and clutching onto Ali.

Kevin continued to look at the heavens....almost as if he was listening to something. He sighed..and lowered his head to the floor. With yet another big sigh...Kevin felt something "lift" in his heart....and he looked up.

A pair of piercing emerald green eyes locked on deep tear filled brown eyes.

"Kevin......", Kaylee whispered, as she felt her heart roll over in her chest yet again.

Ali glanced nervously from the stage and to her friend. She was keenly aware of something happening between Kaylee and Kevin. HE was Kaylee's Kevin! Ali took Kaylee's hand and squeezed it tightly.

Kevin just stared into Kaylee's eyes, while mouthing..."is it really you?"

Kaylee nodded at Kevin, never realizing that something so simple..so basic...as a nod, would cause a man's heart to swell....and two worlds to change.....forever.