As Dawn walked back to her room, her mind kept wandering back to Noah and the way he acted when she gave him back the bracelet. She knew he was under a tremendous amount of stress, but his reaction shocked her. She had never seen him like that, the rage in his eyes scared her. It brought back memories, painful memories, memories that she thought she had blocked from her mind and forgotten.....until now. As she opened the door and let herself into her room, she noticed that AJ was gone.

"Alex?" She called, puzzled.

She saw a note sitting on the table.

"Went to get some gel from Howie. Be back soon Angel."

"Gel", she chuckled to herself as she shook her head.

She sat down on the couch and closed her eyes savoring the peace and quiet. D had run to the store, Nick was goofing around in Brian's room, Denise was giving Arianna a bath and she assumed everyone else was getting ready for the party. 

She still couldn't believe how crazy her life had gotten lately, not to mention how crazy it had gotten so quickly. She missed just being with Alex and Arianna. She was having a difficult time balancing everything in her life.

She always felt like she was neglecting something. She just didn't know how to find the happy medium. She was being torn in a million different directions and she didn’t know how to handle
it. 

She glanced over at the wet bar, contemplating making herself a drink, as she often did before her shows or whenever she was feeling nervous or stressed out.

"I need something to relax me before this party anyway," she concluded, walking over
and making herself a Rum and Coke. 

She sipped on her drink as she sat back down on the couch.   Her mind wandered back to Noah. This time though, she started to blame herself for his reaction, just like she had when Anthony used to beat her
.
"I need to stop stressing him out so much. Me and all my problems are not helping make this tour any easier. He has enough to deal with. He was just trying to be nice. I should've just kept the stupid bracelet."

Then her mind jumped over to AJ, suddenly remembering exactly why she gave it back.

"Alex was pissed. If it were me, I probably would have been pissed, too. The bracelet was too extravagant."

She sat there trying to come up with a solution for everything. She contemplated telling AJ about what had happened with Noah, but then thought better of it. 

"He won't understand, he'll blow it all out of proportion. It's my problem, I'll deal with it myself."

She thought for a minute trying to think of a way to handle this. She didn't think she should tell D either, she knew D didn't like Noah, she didn't know why, but no use making things worse between them, especially considering there was a month and a half still left of the tour. 

"Well, whatever I have to do, I'm gonna make sure Noah's not so stressed. We'll go out more, I'm sure D won't mind, she's always out anyway, I wanted to start going out more, too, so this is the perfect opportunity."

She convinced herself that not telling AJ was the best thing to do.

"There, my first issue that I will deal with on my own, without Alex's help. He would be so proud," she chuckled.

She still couldn't shake the nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach when she thought about Noah. All she could see was that look in his eyes....

"Stop it Dawn, he is not Anthony. You are over that, that’s in the past."

No matter what she did, it still bothered her.  She glanced down at her drink and noticed that her glass was empty.  Just as she got up to make herself another one, the door opened and AJ appeared in the doorway. She laid her glass down on the table.

"Hey there.  So, how'd it go? Did you give it back?" He asked, referring to the bracelet.

"Yeah, he wasn't happy, but I gave it back."

AJ sensed there was something wrong with Dawn. He knew her like the back of his hand. He noticed the empty glass sitting on the table next to her and although he found it odd, he immediately dismissed the strange feeling that came over him.  He pulled her down on the couch, sat down next to her and put his arm around her.

"What's wrong, Angel?"

For a split second she contemplated telling him everything, she knew she should....but she didn't.

"Nothing", she smiled & looked up at him, "I'm just really tired. It's been a crazy day, and my ankle hurts."

"That ice helped a little, right? I want you to get that looked at tomorrow. Are you sure nothing else is wrong?" He quizzed, sensing there was something she wasn't telling him.

He smelled the alcohol on her breath and he wanted to say something about it, but he held back.  He didn’t want her thinking he was being controlling or fatherly. 

"I'm positive," she said as she kissed him gently.

"Mmmm", he growled then looked down at his watch.  "Not even time for a quickie."

Dawn laughed as she arose from the couch.

"I know, I have to get ready then we're going to tuck our little girl into bed," she said walking into the bathroom.

"Hey, I have an idea," AJ called after her.  "Tomorrow, why don't we go get tattoos?"

Dawn poked her head out the bathroom door. Had it been anyone but AJ, she would have been surprised to hear that, but she knew AJ well enough and long enough to not be   surprised by anything that came out of his mouth, especially when it had to do with tattoos.

"Alex, you already look like a human canvas, when are you gonna stop? Besides, we already have the matching yin yang. What do you wanna get now?"

"We got those a long time ago, plus no one can see the yin yangs, I want ones everyone can see! I was looking at this cool Japanese writing...you'll never believe what they have.."

Dawn rolled her eyes.

"I bet you're gonna tell me."

"They have a symbol for 'Bone' and one for 'Angel'. I was thinking you get my name &
I'll get yours."

She looked at him again and he had a big smile on his face, it made her laugh, he looked like
a little kid.  As crazy as it sounded, she had to admit, the idea sounded kind of cool.

"I don't know, Alex," she shook her head.  "Where would we put them?"
 
"So, you’ll do it?" He asked excitedly as he jumped up from the couch.

"I'll go look at them with you. I have to see what it looks like first."

"Then you'll do it?" He asked as he ran over to her and wrapped his arms around her.

"I said I'd look at it. We'll see. Don't get excited, McLean," she put her hand on his
chest and laughed.

"Maybe I'll get it on my ass," she joked. "Now get out of here and let me get ready."

"Ha, ha, very funny smartie pants, more like on your forehead."

They both laughed as she pushed him out of the bathroom and slammed the door.


Everyone met at nine o'clock for the party.  They waited in Dawn and D’s room until everyone
was there.  D, Nick, Dawn, AJ, Howie and Marcus all went in one limo.  Brian, Leighanne,
Kevin, Jess and Carlos all went in another.  

The limos arrived at the party and everyone made their way into the beachhouse. Dawn and AJ were the last ones in, they were ushered in under tight security. Marcus kept close to both of them. No one knew what to expect because of what happened at the signing earlier.   Steve, Dawn's new bodyguard, would be flying in the following morning.

Dawn was shocked at how many people were there. All of her crew and dancers were there as well as Enrique and his crew. There were also a lot of people that she hadn’t seen before. She was congratulated by everyone as they made their way through the crowd.

"I can’t believe all these people are here for me," she whispered to AJ.

He smiled and wrapped his arm around her.

"Of course they are, Angel. They are all proud of you, but not as proud as I am," he whispered back, kissing her cheek. She smiled at him and gave him a soft kiss.

"I need a drink. How about you?" She asked, taking his hand.

"Umm, yeah.  A drink sounds good," he reluctantly agreed.

They made their way to the bar that had been set up in the corner of the living room. They had just ordered their drinks when Noah approached them. He gave a slight nod to AJ, acknowledging his presence, then smiled at Dawn.

AJ downed his drink in one swallow when he saw Noah give her a kiss on the cheek. He glared at him when he put his arm around her and ordered another drink.

"Are you having a good time?" Noah asked Dawn with a smile.

She noticed the look on AJ’s face and moved away from Noah.

"We are having a wonderful time, aren’t we Alex?"

"That’s right sweetheart," he said smiling and wrapping an arm around her.

He gave her a long kiss, knowing that it would drive Noah crazy. Noah rolled his eyes and ordered another drink. Seeing these two all over each other was sickening. He couldn’t wait until AJ went back home.

"Come on, I want to introduce you to some people," Noah said, leading Dawn and AJ through the large crowd.

They were introduced to executives from Jive who came to congratulate their new star. AJ knew most of them already, so he didn’t say much. This was Dawn’s day, he was just there for support, not attention.

Dawn was enjoying the attention and Noah was enjoying showing her off. AJ watched Noah as he introduced her to person after person. He found it slightly amusing how most of the time Noah would forget he was even there and Dawn would have to introduce him. He’d laugh to himself at how Noah would stiffen when she said the word ‘fiance’.

‘Get used to it you ass, I’m not going away,’ he would think to himself.

A little after midnight, they were talking to Mike Jacobson, an executive from Jive, when Noah’s cell phone rang. Noah excused himself and walked outside to take his call.

"I wanted to tell you that we are interested in touring you in the U.S.," Mike said to Dawn.

She looked at him shocked and then over to AJ who had the same look of shock on his face. Dawn looked back at Mike.

"As in headlining my own tour? Wow, that sounds amazing."

"We are very pleased at how well you’re doing. We have high hopes for the album release. If the response you get at home is anywhere near the response you are getting here, you'll have a very successful career ahead of you."

"When are you planning on putting her out on tour?" AJ asked.

"Well, her album will be released two weeks after this European tour ends. Then we are going to start the tour a month later. We’ll have to get the tickets up for sale really soon."

AJ looked at him surprised. He didn’t think they’d have her back on tour that soon. Backstreet was supposed to go back on tour then to promote the new album.

"You gotta strike when the iron’s hot, you know how it goes," Mike said to him with a smile.

Before he could say anything Noah rejoined them with a huge smile on his face. The man looked like he was going to burst.

"Can I have everyone’s attention please?"

He took Dawn’s hand and led her to the front of the room. AJ just stood there looking after them. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at Noah expectantly.

"I have some very exciting news." He looked at Dawn, beaming. "I’m VERY proud to announce that Dawn’s CD sold over fifty thousand copies just today! It’s expected to debut as high as number 2 on the charts this week!"

Everyone in the room cheered and Noah grabbed Dawn into a huge hug. AJ watched them as a combination of pride and excitement washed over him, soon replaced by jealousy and hurt, thinking that he should be the one embracing Dawn right now, not Noah. He crossed his arms and shook his head as he continued to watch them. He wanted to deck him.

Noah held Dawn tight and whispered his congratulations. Dawn pulled away uncomfortably and smiled at him. As much as she owed a lot to Noah for everything he had done for her on this tour, she owed the most to AJ and she wanted to share this moment with him. She turned to look for him, but couldn’t find him. She searched the crowd and finally spotted him. When their eyes met, she rushed into his arms. He swung her around a few times before he set her down, both of them laughing.

"I can’t believe this," Dawn said, tears coming to her eyes.

AJ put his hands on both sides of her face and smiled.

"I’m so proud of you, Angel," he whispered, kissing her.

They were interrupted by all of their friends, who were just as excited as they were about the news. They all hugged her and said their congratulations. Champagne was passed around and Noah made a toast to her continued success, saying that this was just the beginning. Everyone toasted to her and Dawn felt like the happiest person in the world.

They mingled with everyone for awhile and had a good time. Dawn still couldn’t believe her album did so well it’s first day. It was so overwhelming, she felt like her head was going to explode. Just as she was about to go to the bar for another drink AJ stopped her and pulled her to him.

"Why don’t we go for a walk on the beach?" He suggested, smiling and giving her a soft kiss.

It amazed her how he knew exactly what she needed sometimes.

"That sounds wonderful," Dawn agreed and they headed outside.

Chapter 27
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