| Nick stepped off the plane, holding his duffel bag in his arms. He quickly scanned the airport looking for Heather, but his search was interrupted by a young woman approaching him. � Excuse me, aren�t you Nick Carter?� � Uh huh,� He said. � Hi, I�m Melissa Sanchez, a reporter from the Santa Monica Chronicle. I just had some questions about the death of your friend, Brian McFayden. There�s been speculation that this was a suicide-� � What are you talking about? He hasn�t even been dead for 24 hours and you�re already speculating? What the hell is wrong with you people! Leave me alone. I have nothing to say-� � Nick,� Rebecca said running up the terminal. � Sorry I�m late, but traffic has been awful� not to mention the reporters in front of Heather�s house. I�m Rebecca,� She said extending her hand to him. � Hey,� HE said shaking it. � Heather couldn�t make it for obvious reasons and for obvious reasons.� She paused glancing at the reporter, � � there�s been a change in plans,� � Perhaps we could get together soon Mr. Carter for an exclusive-� � I doubt it,� He said walking away with Rebecca. ~ � How is she?� � Terrible. She hasn�t left her room since the cops told her-� � Ok, so what did they say? What this about suicide?� � Well,� She sighed, � I�m not sure how well you knew Brian, but he was going through some rough time right before this and they think that might have been the cause. His car was found at the bottom of a ravine about 150 miles from here. As far as I know, Heather was the first to find out, besides his parents. I was with her all night. She hasn�t slept, eaten, she just sits there staring off into space,� Nick nodded sympathetically, looking out the window. � Where are we going?� � Oh, I have to go the back route�ya know.. reporters?� � Right, reporters,� Rebecca and Nick pulled in to the back garage and Nick climbed out of the car. � Aren't you coming in?� � naw,� She said. � I�ve been with her all night; maybe you can help her more than me now,� � Ok. Thanks Rebecca-� � It�s just Becca.� She smiled. � See ya,� He waved quickly as her car backed out and drove away. He entered the house, not wanting to make too much noise. He made his way through the kitchen, and out to the living room, where countless bridal magazines littered the floor. A glass of what he assumed was wine sat on the table. He sat his bag down on the floor and picked up one of the magazines. Heather had circled one of the dresses with a red marker. Nick smiled and sat the book back down. He looked up the staircase, before climbing the stairs. � Heather?� He called once he got closer to her door. Her door flew open, startling Nick and he stepped back a little. � Baby?� Heather walked out, surprisingly in jeans and a sweater. Her hair was neatly brushed back in a ponytail, and she held some index cards in her left hand. � Nick,� She sighed, running into his arms. � I�m so glad you�re here.� � How are you?� She stepped back, and the answer was obvious in her eyes. She quickly looked down at the cards in her hand. � I have to make a statement�. About Brian,� � Heather maybe this isn�t the time. It�s kinda soon,� � The sooner the better,� She said quietly before breaking out in another round of sobs. Nick wrapped his arms around her pulling her close to him. � Everything�s gonna be okay.� He comforted. � Do you want me to read it?� � No. I have to. I owe this much to him. I�ll be back,� ~ After Heather�s statement, Nick helped her back upstairs to her room and changed her into her pajamas. Heather was numb through it all, and said nothing. Nick was amazed how only moments before she was speaking to press and now she wasn�t speaking at all. Tears constantly flowed from her eyes and she never looked at him. She looked everywhere but at Nick. Nick helped her into bed and looked over at her answering machine. 36 messages. � Babe, are you hungry or anything?� She shook her head. � Well why don�t we just lay down for a while?� Without any response, she turned and lay on her side, resting her head on the pillow. Nick lay with her until she fell asleep. He went back downstairs and began cleaning up a little when a bloodcurdling scream caused him to run back upstairs. Heather was tossing in the bed and the screams never ceased. He ran over to her side, pulling her into his arms. � Wake up,� He said softly. � Heather, open your eyes,� He shook her gently, her eyes fluttering open. � Brian�s really gone?� She whispered. � Yeah, baby. He�s really gone. I�m sorry,� Chapter Thirteen |