| *Written by Nicole* JC looked at the sleeping figure beside him. Just her facial expression tore him up inside. She was curled up in the airplane seat with her head leaning on his shoulder still sniffling from all of the crying she had done earlier. The tears that streamed down her cheeks just over an over ago were now dried. Kate wasn't one to cry all the time and she definitely wasn't one to act like she just had. It hit him like a ton of bricks when he realized that he knows nothing about this girl that he thought was so close to him. It was as if she had another life, one that no one was apart of. The words rang in his ears, "I think it was my dad." He shook his head, still not believing that him...or anyone could abuse people as precious as his cousin and aunt. Just then the sleeping figure yawned and opened her eyes. "Are we almost there?" "Yeah. Why don't you go wash up and then we should be landing in no time." Kate got up from her seat and started walking back towards the bathroom of the airplane. Once inside, she looked in the mirror. At first, she was startled at her appearance. Her hair was all over the place her, clothes wrinkled, and her face...well her face looked horrible. Her mascara had run all over down her face where her tears had dried, and her eyes were puffy from crying so much. She was a mess and she also knew that it would only get worse. Kate shook it off and washed her face and fixed her hair. She then returned to her seat ready to land in Georgia where she would face her mother. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "JUSTIN! Get your ass up!" Chris yelled while pounding on the door. The sleeping body in the bed stirred, pulled the covers up, and put the pillow over his head. Chris continued pounding until Justin got up, opened the door, and went back into the bed trying to get comfortable again. "This better be good Chris," he mumbled, his face stuffed in the pillow. "Ooo, but it is. JC and Kate are gone." With that Justin sat straight up in bed. "Gone? What do you mean gone? How could they just disappear? They have to be some where." "I don't know man. Remember yesterday when they left the rink and Mike said they were going to the hotel or something? Well obviously they didn't because no one's seen them since yesterday. SO...I asked Mike what was going on and he said that they had to go back to Georgia for a family emergency," Chris explained in one breath. "Well somebody should call JC's cell phone and see if everything's alright." Justin stated. "Don't worry man. I'm sure everything is fine, but if it makes you feel better, I'll call later. But right now we have an interview in about twenty minutes," Chris said walking out of the room and closing the door behind him. "I just hope Kate is alright," Justin thought out loud before he entered the shower. Kate looked out the window of the rental car that Lonnie was driving. A million thoughts ran threw her head. She was so worried about her mother and about how she was going to explain it to the rest of the group. She felt like she was constantly pulling JC away from his job and that was the very LAST thing she wanted to do. They did such a good job at hiding everything so well but now...now she would HAVE to tell them. She couldn't keep taking JC away from them because of her problems. She sighed and pushed the thought out of her head for the moment. Right now, only her mother concerned her. Nothing else. The car suddenly pulled into a parking lot and came to an abrupt stop. Kate flung her door open and ran into the building with only the thought of seeing her mother in mind. Breathing heavily, she approached the front desk. "Murphy, please, Anna Murphy," she said looking up at the lady sitting there. "Are you okay miss? Maybe you should take a sit," the lady stated. "No I don't need to take a seat. I'm fine. I just want to see my mother." Just then JC and Lonnie burst through the door and approached her. "Is there a problem?" JC asked putting his hand on the small of her back for support. "No Josh. This lady right here was just about to let me know where the room is," Kate said glaring at the women in front of her. "204." Kate took off to the room and stopped dead in her tracks as she approached the door. "You okay Kitty?" She breathed a heavy sigh. "I will be. Do you mind if I go in a alone right now?" "No go right ahead." Kate knocked lightly on the door and then slowly turned the knob. She slipped inside and shut the door behind her. What she saw when she turned back around she was not prepared for. Tears immediately came to her eyes and she tried hard to push them back. There in front of her was her mother lying lifelessly on a hospital bed with visible bruises up her arm, a cast on her leg, and bandages around her head. Kate found a seat and sat down before she collapsed. It was then that she put her head in her hands and cried. "Kate?" came a faint whisper. "Mom! You're awake. Are you okay?" Kate asked snapping her head up abruptly. "Yea. I'll be all right. How did you know that I was here?" "I called the office and Dawn told me." Kate took a deep breath and asked the question that she wasn't so sure she wanted to know the answer to. "Did dad to this to you?" "Yes...he did. I told you that he didn't like you going away. Don't worry, sweetie. I already have the divorce papers signed, and they go into affect in the next two weeks," she replied patting her daughter's hand. "Oh mom. I'm so sorry. I was so worried," she got out as more tears came. "This is all my fault." "Oh baby it's not your fault. Your daddy just has a short temper, especially when he drinks." It was then that knock came at the door and JC entered. "Sorry to interrupt but I wanted to make sure everything was okay," he said peeking his head through. "JC! You come over in here and give me a hug," Anna said while slowly lifting herself to sit up in her bed. Within an instant, he was by her side and gently put his arms around her. "How are you doing?" he asked taking a look over her. "A little sore, but I'm managing." She took a hold of her daughter's hand while she continued to hold onto one of JC's. "I'll be fine in a few days," she assured giving them both a small smile. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- During the interview all Justin could think about was Kate and the family emergency. He knew it had to be important if they left that suddenly. He was just really worried. Who knows what could've happened. It must've been serious too if they had to fly out all the way to Georgia this time. "Finally it's over," Justin said to himself as the editor of TEEN exited the room. Justin stood up and took out his cell phone. "Who are you calling?" Lance asked as Erin slipped into the room. "JC. I want to make sure everything is all right with them," Justin said dialing the numbers. "Hello?" "JC! Hey it's Justin. I'm just calling to make sure everything is okay." "Oh yeah. Sorry about leaving like that. Kate's mom had a little accident so Kate wanted to come and make sure she's okay." JC said. "Oh man, how is she doing?" Justin asked, concern apparent in his voice. "Well, she has bruises all over her, a broken leg, and a concussion but she should be fine with some rest." "That's good. When are you guys planning on coming back?" "I'll be back tomorrow before the concert, I'm sure. I'll meet you guys out in Kansas City, but I don't know if Kate will be there. She might want to stay here for a couple more days." "Listen why don't I come out there, and lend a little moral support." "I don't know J." "Come on, JC." "Fine," he gave in letting out a breath. "We're staying at Kate's house, but most of our time will probably be spent at the hospital. Find the earliest flight possible, and I'll have Lonnie come get you at the airport." "Okay Jayce, thanks man. I'll see ya." Justin said disconnecting the call. He sank back into the chair as the rest of the group stared at him. "What?" he snapped. Mutterings of nothing were scattered as they held their hands up in defense and scurried out of the room. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kate sat in the small room with her mom and JC at her side not really knowing what to say or think. Just yesterday she was at the skating rink with Justin and the guys having so much fun and now today she is back in Georgia with her mother in a hospital room. A knock sounded at the door, and three heads snapped up. "Come in." JC said. Just then the doorknob turned and walked to men in black suits. They each stood at the foot of the bed. "Hello. I'm Detective Johnson and this is Detective Roberts. We just have a few questions for you Mrs. and Miss Murphy. Is that okay?" "It's fine," Anna said waving a hand to proceed. The detective turned to JC. "May I ask who you are?" "I'm Joshua Chasez. I'm Kate's cousin and Anna's nephew," JC said shaking both detective's hands. "Very well, but I'm sorry. We have to ask you to leave. This information is confidential." "It's no problem," JC reassured picking up his bag and turning to Kate. "I'll be right outside Kitty." "Thanks," she replied with a small smile. "Okay now everyone get comfortable. This might take awhile." After an extensive questioning session Kate felt drained yet the police had nothing. Her father had done this to her mother. That was certain. But he was also still missing and no one knew where to find him which scared the hell out of both women. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Justin frantically threw clothes into his bag while the other guys crowded around and watched in confusion. "Justin where are you going?" Lance asked. "Georgia," he stated zipping up the bag. "Why?" "To make sure that JC and Kate are okay." Justin answered slinging the bag over his shoulder and crossing over to the door. "Ooo," Joey said blocking the door. "Or are you just going to see Kate?" he asked teasingly. "No. What makes you think I'm going just to see her?" Justin asked trying to get around Joey. "Justin we all know you like her," Lance said crossing his arms over his chest and gave him a knowing look. Finally successful, he pushed past Joey. "No I don't. Why would you even think that?" Justin defended. "Because it's obvious J. Maybe going there will help with straightening out your feelings," Chris added in. "Whatever guys. I gotta go." With that Justin turned on his heels and walked towards the elevator to see Kate...and JC of course. Later that day, Justin arrived in Georgia and was now picking up his one duffel bag and made his way down the terminal. He even surprised himself that he was actually here. But after all, he was just looking out for his best friend who had become like a brother to him, and his cousin. "Lonnie!" Justin called when he spotted the bulky man. "Thorn in my side! Hello, how are you today? Anything else planned to make me nuts?" Lonnie replied playfully. "Aww, man you know that you love me." "Oh yeah. Your what I think about all the time," he said with a roll of the eyes as they both quickly made their way out of the airport. "I know. No one can resist me," Justin replied as he breathed on his fingernails and then rubbed them on the side of his chest. "You wish, fro boy," he said as they got into the car and made their way to the hospital. "You definitely wish." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lonnie led Justin down the halls of the hospital in silence. When they turned down the hallway, he saw Kate and JC sitting outside of a room huddled together for support. His heart went completely out to Kate. Taking a deep breath, he approached slowly. "Hi." Kate's head shot up and was so surprised to see Justin. "What are you doing here?" she asked still in awe. "I came to make sure you were okay, well you and JC," Justin said trying to cover his slip. Without thinking, Kate flung herself into his arms. "Thank you so much Justin. You don't even know how much this means to me," she said into his shoulder. "No problem Kate," Justin replied savoring the moment that he had just holding her. "So how's your mom?" Justin asked pulling back. A nurse came out of her mother's room and nodded to them, signaling that it would be okay to go back in. "She's going to be fine. You want to meet her?" "Sure. Are you positive it's okay though?" Justin asked. "It's fine," she said grabbing his hand and dragging him into the room. "Mom?" Kate said. "Hmm?" "I have someone for you to meet. This is Justin." "Why hello Justin. When did you get here?" Anna asked. "I just got here about an hour ago. I wanted to make sure everyone was okay." "Well isn't that sweet of you," Anna said looking at Kate. She saw the concern in Justin's face and even though he said everyone, she knew he was really checking up on her daughter. After a couple of hours at the hospital everybody decided they should all go back to Kate's house and get some sleep. A slight knock at the door tore Justin away from his daydreaming. "Come in," he said while sitting up. Kate walked through the door and approached Justin. "Hey." "Hey. What's up?" "I just wanted to talk to you about the other day. I told you that I wanted to have a talk with you," Kate said sitting at the edge of the bed. "Okay," Justin said slowly knowing exactly what she was talking about. "Good. Now care to tell me why you are afraid of your fans?" Kate asked. He took in a deep break and began. "It...it's really hard to explain because on the outside there just girls and a couple aren't that bad, but it's different when there are swarms of them. I mean they try to rip at you and get a piece of you, it's like they forget your human." He gave a quick sigh. "I know that when I signed that contract it was going to be crazy, but it's so different when it actually happens. I mean we can't go anywhere without people knowing who we are. We have to take security everywhere. Sometimes I just wonder if it was worth it. I mean I'm missing my brothers grow up and when I do go home I have to open this ol' big security gate and when I get into the house I have to make sure that the security system is on. It's nuts. I'm always being watched. I just wish that I could be normal for once," Justin said looking down at the blanket. Kate took her hand and lifted his face up to meet her eyes. "Justin you are normal. I do understand though. Sometimes your fans do see you as an object and I would be afraid too, but you can't just shut all those people out. They are still the ones who go out and buy your music." Kate said. "Plus...this is what you love to do. If this was your dream, then believe me, it's definitely worth it. You have an amazing talent and you love it with all your heart. I can see that when you're up on stage singing and performing...but things aren't always easy. And sometimes, to get what you want and to keep a hold of it, there are some sacrifices that you have to make." A small smile formed on his lips as he looked at her with admiration. "You're right. I just needed to hear that." "Hey, no problem. You know I'm here for you," she said, giving his hand a squeeze before getting up and walking to the door with Justin to follow. "Well I guess I'll go to bed," she said looking up at Justin. Before Justin knew what he was doing he lowered his head and softly touched his lips to hers. It only lasted a second but it felt like a century. The rush of emotions that filled them both was too huge to even begin to think about. "Goodnight, Kate." he whispered pulling away slowly and giving an appreciative smile. "Night Justin," Kate whispered as she turned and walked down the hall. Justin watched her until she opened the door to her room and went it. Justin closed the door to his room and collapsed onto his bed. Wow. |