The next two weeks flew by and Nick was pronounced fit to return to the recording studio. Kathy pulled up outside the small building and walked around to open the passenger door. "Do you want me to stay Nick? Because I don't mind." He was silent and she noticed his hands shaking again. She looked up and saw the look of fear in his eyes. "Got ya. I'm staying." She helped him out of the truck and walked into the building with him. Kevin took over once they were inside. He showed Kathy where she could sit and listen and ushered Nick into the studio. "Here you go Nick. Like being back home, right?" Nick laughed nervously. Kevin took Nick's hand and showed him where the mike and headphones were. "The stand is right in front of you for the music, okay?" Nick turned his head, a look of bewilderment on his face. "I can't read it." he said, plaintively. Brian rushed over to him and handed Nick one of the pieces of paper. "Feel it." he urged. Nick ran his hand over the paper and felt the now familar bumps of braille writing. "Who did this?" "Kathy." Howie told him. "She wrote down every word from the demo tape you let her listen to and typed them all out for you." Nick felt a tear slide down his cheek. Such a small gesture, but it meant so much to him. The guys hugged him before they teased him and made him read over the papers to ensure he could make them all out.

They all moved out of the booth and the producer told Nick which song he would be singing first. Nick sorted through the papers and nodded that he was ready. The music rang out and Nick nodded his head to the beat. Kevin prompted him through the headphones when he should join in. Nick sang, tenatively at first, and then stronger. The others smiled at each other in delight. He was back! His voice grew stronger with each song he sang, more confident and assured. By the end of the session, Nick had laid down his tracks for three songs. He wanted to do more, but he was feeling tired and, after talking with Kathy, decided it was best to quit for the day. The producers praised him, as did the other guys, making Nick blush and grin in embarassment. "Did I really sound good?" he asked. "You sounded terrific!" AJ yelled. "You were awesome!" Nick smirked. "Ah, you guys are prejudiced." he laughed. Kevin excused himself to pick up the ringing phone. "Okay." he said finally into the phone. "We'll be there." He walked over to the group gathered in the middle of the room. "The Firm wants us to bring the tapes over for them to listen to and they want to talk." Everyone looked confused. "What for?" Brian asked. "Everything is going to schedule now." "I don't know." Kevin answered. "But they want us there in thirty minutes."

Kathy pulled up outside the office building and escorted Nick up to the offices of their managers. "I'll be waiting down in the lounge, okay?" she assured him. "I'll be fine." Nick told her, as he kissed her cheek. "One of the guys will bring me back down to meet you."

Forty-five minutes later the guys were getting restless and shifting around in their chairs. The last of the songs they had recorded that morning played out over the loudspeaker. "You sound very good Nick. Your voice wasn't damaged at all while you were laid up." One of their managers announced. "Thank you." Nick replied. "I have been working with the vocal coach though." "So what are we here for?" AJ blurted out. "You like the tracks. Let us go home and rest so we can do some more tomorrow." Their managers looked at each other and then back to the five men in front of them. "We want to talk about the group."

Kathy looked at her watch and sighed in frustration. The dogs would have to go out soon or she would be cleaning up dog pee when they got home. What could be taking so long? She heard her phone ringing and dug in her purse to find it. "Hello?" She listened and then squealed in delight at the voice on the other end of the line. "Rho! How are you?" Rho told her she was waiting in the airport to fly home. "What? Why?" "I quit my job." Rho replied simply. "I miss my home, I miss my friend, I miss my Howie." Kathy snickered. "The truth comes out!" They made plans for Rho to call when she arrived in Florida and said their goodbyes quickly as Rho's flight was announced.

"So you don't have a problem with the interview?" Nick asked. "Not a one, we just thought you might want to annouce something else at the same time." Nick looked confused, while the others exchanged glances. "What?" "Nick." one of the managers said calmly. "Do you really think you can tour with the group anymore?" Nick felt his heart skip a beat and he clutched a hand to his chest. "What do you mean?" "You can't see. You won't be able to dance anymore. Your shows will consist of the five of you sitting on stools and singing. It's not very exciting. It won't hold pace with the other tours around today." Nick sat shocked. What were they trying to tell him? They wanted him out of the group? Had the others talked about this and just not said anything to him? They were awfully quiet. "What are you saying?" AJ asked, his voice outraged. "Easy Age." Howie put a hand on his friend's arm. "What you are suggesting is ridiculous." Kevin said evenly. "Nick is a part of this group and will remain so until he decides he wants to leave. He will not be forced out because you think he can't do something." "All we meant was..." "No." Kevin continued. "You know he can sing. I think his voice is stronger now. We have talked with Fatima about the show and she has tons of ideas for Nick and what he can do in the show. Nick can do anything he sets his mind to, his nurse told me, and I know she is telling the truth."

Nick listened to Kevin defending him and felt the tears slipping down his face again. Brian put his arm around his shoulder and hugged him tightly. "Backstreet Boys is the five of us and you are not going to change that." "And you know what?" AJ said defensively, still furious at the men. "Our fans don't care if we dance around. They like our singing. So we may lose a few fans, but they wouldn't be real fans anyway!" He moved to Nick's side and put his arm around his shoulders as well. "Nick's health is more important to us than the tour." Howie added and held Nick's hand in his. Kevin stood up and moved behind the group, stretching his arms across them all. "This is the Backstreet Boys. Take us or leave us." The managers sighed in resignation. "You realize this tour may not be successful for you? It may be the beginning of the end?" "Who gives a shit?" AJ muttered. "Nick almost lost his life, what's more important?" The men threw up their hands. "We are still behind you 100%. Just don't say we didn't warn you. Don't come crying to us if the box office reciepts slip." The group nodded as one. "Don't worry." Nick said confidently. "The fans won't believe their eyes."