"You swear you'll be careful right??? You'll come back to us alright?" Aj asked Lylian as he hugged her. It was now noon and within 2 hours, they had agreed that Lylian could leave with a bodyguard for San Diego. She wasn't too pleased to have someone following her all the time but in another way, she felt more safe like that. She was leaving fast 'cause her plane was at 1:30.
"Yes I swear. You guys stop worrying about me I'm not going to go find him alone...I just want to be there when they'll find the girls and help the cops with what I know." she repeated for what she thought the zillions time.
"Alright. Well be careful..." he smiled softly. " and please... bring them back... " he whispered in her ear. Her eyes looked up at him with a little hope but still, the sadness was present. She moved away and then looked at Deryck who was the last one she had to say goodbye too. The others; Aj, Brian, Mary, Tania, Rose, Amanda, Howie, Kevin and Vickie, all said their goodbyes and left the couple alone.
"I still wish I could go with you... " Deryck said, looking at the floor.
"I know. But... maybe it's better this way."
"But I want to be there for you ... in case something happen..." he replied. She took his hands into hers, what made him finally look at her.
"I promise you nothing will happen. I'll be really careful and Marcus will be with me all the time.." she said, with a little smile, trying to sound convinced. "I'll call you really often.. and let's hope I won't be gone for a long time."
"Yeah I hope so too... " he sadly said. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight. She hated this... like she was going to leave him for good. She knew...well she hoped, she'd be back for good and continued her life as it was, with her best friend and... maybe worst ennemy at her side. She and Ally weren't friends, but no one deserved to be treated like William was maybe treating them. She had acted like a real bitch, helping William for his plan... but still, she had to get her out of there as soon as possible. "Please, be careful." he repeated.
"I will, I promise!" she repeated too, closing her eyes. He moved his lips closer to her ears.
"I love you.." he whispered. A little smile apeared on Lylian's face as she brought her lips right on his, kissing him passionately.
"I love you too!" she told him lowly when they broke apart. He smiled back at her and she finally let go of him and left the building, followed by Marcus, Aj's bodyguard. Since they were going to stay in a bus or hotel for the next day, they had thought that one security guard less wasn't that much of a big deal since the whole security was already larger with the police of Pittsburgh always around the hotel. She left the tour with an heavy heart, but willing to do whatever she could to find her friend.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** Meanwhile ***
"Morning beautiful.." Nick said, opening his eyes slowly.
"G'Morning!" Lexy cheered, walking toward the bed, lifting her hair up in a ponytail. "How ya doing?"
"Tired.. " he snorted.
"Surprise surprise! You're the one who didn't want to go sleep.." she grinned, sitting beside him.
"I know.." he sighed. "I couldn't sleep"
"Yeah..."
"No one called?" he asked rubbing his eyes.
"Nope... "
"Damn"
"You're worry?" she asked, as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her beside him.
"A lot" he admitted. "Man this is insane. We always have those weird and scary shit happening to us. It's really annoying!"
"I'm sure everything will be fine.. "
"Let's hope so.." he said, shrugging. At this moment, his stomach made a weird sound. "Breakfast is calling me.." he giggled.
"You wanna go down or order?"
"We can go down... see if anyone got any news since last night." he said, sitting up.
"Alright. Then get dressed mister!"
"Yep!" he stood up and put on some jeans and t-shirt, comb his hair fastly with his hands and put his shoes on. "Ready!"
"Alright" she laughed at him and the two headed for the first level. As they walked out of the lift, Aj, Kevin, Howie and Brian were talking together in front of the doors with Deryck, looking at the floor not saying a word.
"Hey guys." Nick said. "What's up? Anyting new??" he asked, almost running out of the elevator.
"Lylian left for San Diego like.. fifteen minutes ago...but beside that, nothing." Kevin said, shrugging. Nick frowned and his eyes moved from his 4 friends to Deryck who still was looking at the floor sadly.
"What? What for??" he asked, confused.
"She wanted to leave... said she need to go to help and find them." Aj explained. Nick's frown didn't leave his face. "What man?"
"You let her go??? Knowing all the danger?" he suddently exclaimed.
"Marcus is with her man...chill."
"Are you insane? Do you know all the shit she can get through??? What if something happens to her??" he said, his face getting reddish. They all stood there staring at him, even Lexy and Deryck who lifted his head up.
"Nick, we couldn't held her back here while her friend is going through we don't know what with some freak! You would have wanted to go too if it was Brian..." Howie said.
"You let her go???" he asked again, but this time the question was directly asked to Deryck. "You didn't think a minute that if William ever see her the first thing he'll do is like shot her?? Do you love her or not???" he shouted at him what made Deryck feel even more guilty that he already was and brang his attention back to the floor.
"Nick calm down!!" Kevin ordered. Nick shut his mouth up but kept his pissed face. "What is your problem anyways?"
"Yeah Nick what's wrong?" Lexy asked softly putting her hand on his arm.
"Nothing.." he said with a noisy sigh. "Let's go eat.." he added, pulling Lexy by the arm and leaving the others.
"What the hell was that about??" Aj asked, confused. "You okay Der?"
"Yeah.." this one replied softly. "I'm going up to my room.." he added and hopped in the elevator.
"Man...why is Nick reacting this way?" Howie asked Brian.
"I don't have a clue man.." Brian shrugged. "That's weird though.."
"But he had no right to say that to Deryck... he was already sad enough..." Aj snorted. "Damn boy sometimes just don't think before he speaks!"
"I'll try to speak to him later.." Brian said. "So Kev... what did the management said about the cancel of the show?"
"Actually...they took it well. I think they were expecting this. So the reason of the cancel is that we got some family and personal problems..."
"Wich is kinda true.."
"Yup. And... um.. well I told them that I didn't know about tomorrow's show... I'll call 'em later." Kevin explained.
"Awright." Aj sighed. "Damn shit."
"When do we leave??" Howie asked.
"Tomorrow morning... 7 am."
"Alright! ... I think I'll go have a lil talk with Deryck... poor guy." Aj said shaking his head. "Later guys."
"Later J!" the all cheered.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** During this time ***
"You okay Nick?" Lexy asked after long moment of silence, a worried and curious look on her face.
"Huh-uh.." he replied, not looking at her, moving his fork on his plate.
"You're not convincing.." she told him.
"Well sorry! But I am okay." he snapped.
"No you're not but you just hide your feelings..." Lexy sighed. "You should not do that.."
"I'm doing great.. peachy...just fine!!" he replied, looking at her with a really fake cheesy grin. "Alright???"
"No! But just want to keep it to yourself! So I won't ask for more 'cause we'll start arguying again.." she said, feeling the tears coming up to her eyes. Great. Just what she needed. She was way to emotional. Just because of a little argument... but she had to admit... their now real relationship wasn't starting very happily. But she couldn't cry over that...
"I'm sorry... " he apologized, looking back down.
"It's okay.." she sighed. "I understand you are upset..."
"Yeah... all this stress... I hate it."
"I can feel that" Lexy replied with a sorry smile. "I feel like I shouldn't be here right now... like you guys need to be together and stay together... "
"What? No you need to stay here.." he lifted his head up suddently.
"Why? I mean I don't wanna leave... just stay away for somedays, until things get better.?!"
"We just ... hooked up and finally got things straight and now you wanna leave??"
"I don't wanna leave forever.. of course not!!! Just... forget what I said... "
"Why don't we try to forget about those stuff... wanna go for a walk or go to the movies or something??"
"You can?"
"We'll try something out... don't worry!" he smiled and stood up. She drank what was left of her coffee and followed him out of the restaurant.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** Later, in San Diego ***
Lylian walked out of the airport with Marcus. She had not spoken a word since they had left 'cause she just didn't know what to say. They hopped in a cab and told the driver to go to the police center of the city, where an officer that was working on William's case was waiting for her. She didn't know if she could help him, but something had come up to her mind during the trip... a certain idea that wasn't that stupid.
After half an hour, the car stopped in front of the big building. They paid the driver, took their loggages and walked in the station. Someone leaded them to a small room with almost only a desk and some chairs. They sat down and waited.
"Excuse me for the time. Hi, you must be Lylian?" a young light-haired guy with a blue shirt greeted, extending his hand.
"Yes I am. And this is Marcus, one of the Backstreet Boys bodyguard.."
"Hi! I'm Joshua Willington... my team is working on the case of William Birk and his... occupations."
"Alright.."
"We think we have some tracks but we'll need some informations that maybe you'll be able to tell us. We know about him for a short while but we know that in fact he've been working for a while now... So we'll have to intorrogate you...both.." the officer said, looking from one to the other.
"No problem" Marcus said.
* ~ * ~ * �~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** Meanwhile, back in Pittsburgh ***
So how was your day?" Keri asked Lexy when this one walked back in the room, drying her hair with a towel.
"Great!" Lexy smiled. "We went to the movies.."
"Really? That's cool. What did you watch?"
"Um.. A Beautiful Mind.."
"Good??"
"Yeah! Well I liked it. Nick said it was missing some action but you know, boys.."
"Yah. I know!" Keri giggled. "Um.. Lexy, I wanna know something."
"Yup?" Lexy replied, sitting on the bed.
"We'll have to go back in New York someday ya know... Are you planning on coming back?" Keri demanded and waited for an answer. But none came... Lexy kept on looking at the floor. "Lex?"
"I told Nick I would stay with him for the end of this leg of the tour.."
"WHAT?! You did what??? What the fuck!? Lexy, you know you can't do that... you'll lose your job!!"
"There's only a few weeks left! Mike can't fire me! I've been working my ass off for the past 2 years without more than one week off... "
"I know but... damn! You're leaving me?"
"I am not!... Ker... I love him, I really do..." Lexy said, really serious.
"Wha.... you sure? I mean this is something important you know.."
"I know but if feels right... for the first time in my life Keri... it truly feels good. Can't you understand that?"
"I... I understand...but still... you're leaving everything to follow a guy across the country?"
"I guess I am.."
"God... if that's what you really want... " Keri said shaking her head. "Then I guess this is our last evening together.."
"Why?"
"You're leaving tomorrow morning my girl.. and this time I won't be there... I'm going back in New York.." Keri answered, with a sorry smile.
"Really??"
"Yeah.. I had fun... but I can't lose this job. Mike will already be pissed enough... at least if one of us go back, maybe he'll take it better.." Keri shrugged.
"What about Aj??"
"What about him??"
"You like him.." Lexy said.
"Huh??"
"Keri stop messing with me... I know you like him! You don't react as you would do with a guy with him... you apologize, you feel guilty, you don't tell him to go fuck himself.." Lexy said with a laugh. "What is that all about?"
"He's a friend... "
"A good friend! And Keri... this boy is crazy for you... I hope you realized that!"
"Everyone is telling me so I guess he is...damn. But what do you want me to do? Yeah maybe I like him... but it would never works..." Keri shook her head no.
"Why not?"
"Just...because!" Keri exclaimed, waving her hands in the air.
"Okay... but I just hope you're not leaving because of this... 'cause maybe you're running away from the opportunity of your life.." Lexy said.
"I am not.." Keri almost whispered.
"Okay. Anyways... let's just enjoy this night 'cause we are both leaving tomorrow..."
"It will feel weird not having you around at the bar.." Keri sighed.
"Yeah.. it'll be weird not having you whinning at me all the time.." Lexy giggled.
"Ok... let's not get emotionnal right now... let's have fun!" Keri suddently exclaimed, taking two bottles from the minibar.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** In San Diego ***
Lylian and Marcus left the cops building at night. For hours they had talked and answered questions, espcially Lylian. She had proceed to tell them every little thing she knew, starting when she had first met Gaby. So it had taken a lot of hours... and it was already 10 pm when they stood outside the station, waiting for a cab.
"Let's go to the hotel now.." Marcus said when the car stopped in front of them. "I'm tired!"
"You right. I'm exhausted too!" Lylian sighed. "You think they found something new with what I told them.."
"I can't say ... I really hope so! They must have learned something! Especially about that father thing that you said... they looked interested by that."
"Yeah... I hope it'll help." she sighed again, hopping in the cab.
They finally arrived at their hotel and the minute she walked in her room, Lylian ran to the phone and dialed Deryck's number.
"Lylian????" he said when he answered.
"Hey!" she giggled softly. "I take it you were waitinf for my call...?!"
"I waited all day long! How come it took you so long???" he asked with a worry tone.
"They interogated us like the minute we walked in... I didn't have time I just came back.. I'm sorry."
"You okay? Everthing's fine?"
"Yeah... I guess they'll 'analyze' waht I said and will try to find something new.." she shrugged.
"You alright?"
"Tired... but all right."
"Good.... I miss you."
"I miss you too" she smiled.
"You know, I feel bad for leaving you there all alone.." he said.
"I'm okay! Don't worry 'bout me!!"
"Nick yelled at me for letting you go.."
"What??"
"When we told him you had left... he started getting all upset and yelled at me, asking why I let you go and if I really love you...but I swear I do... "
"I know you do Deryck. Don't listen to him. And I love you too.." she said sweetly.
"Okay.." he smiled "So what did the cops say? Do they know where the girls are?"
"No... well, they have an idea... some lost building in the old part of the city. But they can't just go there like that 'cause they don't know what else can be there... so they're trying to find out with some special cameras and stuff.." she explained.
"At least they have an idea.." he replied. "What do you think Ally has to do into this?"
"I don't know really... That's the weird part... she was in contact with him.. probably he wanted to have some bond with someone from the crew to get closer to Gaby...and it fell on Ally..."
"That must be it.."
"What did you do today?"
"I layed here all day long... the others.... I think they stayed here and chilled. But we're leaving tomorrow, first thing in the morning! I think we'll have to do tomorrow's concert."
"Really?"
"Yeah..management don't want to cancel too much shows... but it's not sure yet. But we still have to leave."
"Okay yeah.."
"Do you know how long you'll stay there.."
"As long as we find them.." Lylian replied, looking out the window.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** Meanwhile ***
Gaby looked out the window of the building she was in. She couldn't tell exactly where she was... but she reconized the high building of San Diego at a couple of miles from where she was. Even if the heat was really present, she kept having chills. She thought about her talk with William earlier, trying recall everything... but it was just like in a bad dream, a real bad dream. The worst she could ever have. So William had told her that her father, now still in jail, was the big, the higest, the "king" of their "company". He was the one running everything in San Diego, Los Angeles and Buenos Aires. Even in jail, he was keeping in touch with his men. He wasn't there to supervise everything, but had some people making sure of that. When he had learned that William had a new little girl in his place, when he had seen her picture... he knew exactly who she was. And since that day he had told William to personnally take care of her... and keep her nearby for the longest time, 'cause she couldn't run away like her mother had tried. There was no way William could kill her... he could do anything else, but not kill her 'cause she was the daughter of his boss. "He wants to protect you.." William had told. Yeah right... what a way to protect your daughter! She was more thinking about a way to hurt her... take his revenge for the suddent leaving of his wife with his only child. Well, Gaby couldn't really tell why and knew she would probably never find out... but she knew she missed the tour... and missed her friends back there...missed her 'real' life back there.Ally had now been gone for a while. Gaby wondered what was going on... and hoped nothing bad would happen to her. She didn't hear any screams, noises, not even voices... what the hell were they doing?
