Because I Love You

Author's Note:

Hey...is this thing on???

Well...here it is folks. I know it's been a while, and I do apologize, but things just got a bit carried away from me for awhile. I was hoping to get this out before Christmas, as a sort of Christmas present for yall to read if it got boring at the family party...but oh well, better late than never. It's already been over five months since the last one...what's another day, right? :) Anyway...truth is, it was all Harry Potter's fault. This would have been out sooner, but I started reading the damn books and just couldn't stop...who the hell would've thought they were so addicting???

Happy Holidays!!!

Well...enough babble. Here's chapter 14. Chapters 12-15 were supposed to come out as a package...like one after the other, but we all know that didn't happen...so just in case you've forgotten what's going on in the world of BILY, go read those again before this one.

So...I'll stop here...more at the end. As always...

E-mail me at: rtstories@hotmail.com

Legal Disclaimer:

This work is purely fiction. It is purely derived from the mind of the author and in no way dictates the sexual orientation of any of the Back Street Boys. Only in my mind do I truly believe they're gay, and in love with me. Any similarity to real life, or to someone's life, is purely coincidental. It contains homosexual subject matter. If you're not into that, why not??? Gay porn/erotica is way hotter than heterosexual porn!!! Do not read any further if you are under the legal age for viewing this material in your country, state, province, city, town, suburb, home, shack, hole in the wall, cardboard box, van down by the river, trailer home, room, or dormitory at Hogwart's School of Witches and Wizards!!!

One last thing...If you haven't done so already...Go buy the new BSB album, "BLACK AND BLUE."

End of Chapter Thirteen

"Wow." Nick said breaking the silence.

"Yeah." Brian responded in return.

"That was..."

"Yeah it was." Brian said, completing Nick's thought.

Nick captured the feeling of the moment they just shared perfectly. There were no words to describe what they had just shared, or how they both felt. It was beyond words, and even beyond comprehension, except for the two of them. They shared those feelings with each other at the same moment.

It was better than either of them had imagined. It was perfection.

"Maybe we should clean up." Brian said.

"Yeah." Nick responded, but neither of them moved.

They laughed at the weakness they felt, and at the unwillingness of each one to separate from the other. Brian was the first to move. He slowly lifted his body from Nick's. As soon as Nick felt Brian's weight being removed, he began to feel the bareness surround him. When Brian pulled out of Nick, and they separated, Nick couldn't help but feel empty.

He sat up, and looked at Brian. Brian could see a hint of sadness in his eyes. He leaned in, and gave Nick a loving kiss, shattering all thoughts of loneliness from his mind.

When their kiss broke, Brian walked into the bathroom, and returned with a warm washcloth. He instructed Nick to lay on the bed. Brian sat next to him, and carefully cleansed Nick. He lightly ran the warm cloth over Nick's body. Nick could feel the coolness of the room set in, where Brian had just run the washcloth over his exposed skin. When Brian had finished his thorough cleaning, he put the washcloth aside, and pulled down the bed covers. Nick crawled in, and Brian followed.

"I love you with all my heart. Don't ever forget that." Brian said.

"I love you with all my soul."

They faced each other, and shared another kiss, before falling asleep in each other's arms...as one.

To my one true Angel...you're both an inspiration to my life, and to this story...

Because I Love You By: Lucas

Chapter 14

"Nick...Nick...Come on Frack you gotta get up!!!" Brian said loudly, as he shook Nick from the deep sleep he was in.

"C'mon Nick, you have to get up or we're gonna be late."

"Wha...Huh???" Was Nick's response. Brian chuckled to himself, as Nick clutched onto his pillow with a confused look on his face.

As Nick tried desperately to wake himself up, he wondered why Brian was trying to wake him so soon. Nick lazily opened his eyes and smiled up at Brian. His smile faded slightly, as he expected to wake up with Brian still in bed with him. Instead, he was hovering above him, fully clothed. Nick struggled to sit up. He released the pillow from his grip and leaned back against the headboard.

Seeing that Nick was finally waking up, Brian scurried around the room searching for Nick's suitcases. When he found them, he began to fill them with the clothes that were strewn all around the room, in the dresser, and in the closet.

"What are you doing? Why aren't you still in bed?" Nick asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"I woke up about an hour ago. It's a good thing too, cause we have to meet the guys in half an hour. You need to get dressed."

"Why? Where we going?"

"We leave for Michigan today. Boy, yesterday must have really tired you out." Brian said with a smile.

A large grin appeared on Nick's face, as he thought of yesterday's events. He had finally told Brian that he loved him, found out that Brian felt the same way, and made love. The afterglow that came after having sex for the first time was evident on Nick's face, as he smiled and stared at his soul mate.

"What?" Brian asked confused. "Why are you smiling?"

"You know why. You should be smiling too, after yesterday."

"Oh, yeah. I had a great time. I'm sure we'll have just as much fun with Ewan around again." Brian responded with a smile.

"I don't know if Ewan would want to be included in our fun." Nick said jokingly.

"Huh? Why not?" Brian asked. "If anything, he'd be more fun than you and me combined. He always is." Brian said to an even more confused Nick.

"Wait, are we talking about the same thing?"

"Why what are you talking about?"

"Wait, what are you talking about?" Nick asked, wanting to make sure Brian wasn't joking.

"I'm talking about yesterday, you know, when we went to Disney and stuff. That was a lot of fun. Next time we should bring Ewan with us, but I'm sure he's got a lot in store for us when we get to Michigan." Brian answered. "Why what are you talking about?"

"Wait," Nick asked confused, "are you sure that's all we did yesterday? I could've sworn..."

"Yeah, all of us ditched Kevin, and you and me went to Disney and Epcot together. We had dinner, watched the laser light show, and came back here. We were gonna watch a movie, but I think I fell asleep before you got out of the shower." Brian continued to explain. "The next thing I knew, I woke up in your room this morning. It was still a bit early, so I went back to my room to get ready. I came back here to make sure you were awake and packed."

"And nothing else happened? We didn't go to the beach after dinner or anything, or meet in your room?" Nick asked hesitantly.

"No, why would we be in my room? I followed you here last night...remember? I think you were e-mailing something while I was in the shower." Brian said, trying to clarify yesterday's events to Nick.

"But what about the letter?"

"What letter? I don't remember a letter."

"What about the pocket watch?"

"Nick, you're starting to freak me out here. What pocket watch?"

"I couldn't have imagined everything...could I?" Nick asked softly.

"I don't know, but we don't have time for this. We'll talk about it on the bus. Kevin's already gonna be pissed at us for ditching him yesterday, and if we're late on top of that, I don't even want to know what he's gonna do. Now get out of bed, and get dressed." Brian commanded. "I'm gonna go back to my room cause I still have some packing to do. You better be ready to go by the time I get back, okay?"

"Yeah." Nick said absentmindedly.

"I'm serious, Nick."

"I'll be ready. Don't worry." Nick blankly said, as he stared at Brian with a forced smile.

"Alright. Fine. I'll be back." Brian said, as he made his way towards the door. Before he walked out, he turned to look at Nick, who was still in a daze.

"Damn, that must have been some dream you had Nick. You'll have to tell me all about it later." Brian said, as he stepped outside, and closed the door.

Nick instinctively stood from the bed, and looked around the room. It was then that he realized he had awoken in his room, and not Brian's. He walked over to the bathroom, opened the door, and looked back into his room, before he stepped inside.

"It was just a dream...it was only a dream..." Nick quietly said into the room, as he shook his head in disbelief.

"Flight 902 from Orlando, Florida now arriving at Gate 16B." Ewan heard the voice say over the loudspeaker. He checked his watch and noticed that they were right on schedule.

Ewan wandered over to Gate 16B, and saw that it was closed off by airport security. Also, there were a few BackStreet personnel and bodyguards holding back the fans. Ewan wondered how he was going to get through, as he began to circle the crowd trying to find a way in, when he heard his name being called. Ewan spotted Marc, as he fought his way towards him.

Marc motioned for two of the bodyguards to follow him. As he reached the area where Ewan stood, he pointed Ewan out to the bodyguards, who eventually escorted him into the closed off gate.

"Thanks Marc."

"No problem. Nick told me earlier that you might be here, and to keep an eye out for ya. How's it going?"

"Pretty good. Tired, actually. It's almost finals time."

"Yeah, I remember those days. Although, I seem to remember partying more than taking exams." Marc joked, as they waited for the boys to disembark from the plane.

"Yup. Can't forget the parties. That's what this weekend is all about." Ewan said with a huge grin.

"That's right. The guys are pretty excited about staying with ya. That's all I heard them talk about. Happy Birthday, by the way."

"Thanks." Ewan said smiling. "Finally 21...I'm legal."

"You sure you don't have that backwards??? You seem more like 12 to me." Marc joked, earning him a playful slap in the arm.

"I don't mind you guys partying, but just make sure you keep an eye out on those two clowns. I already talked to them about it before, and I just wanted to let you know..."Marc added, turning serious on Ewan.

"I know...I know..." Ewan interrupted Marc. "I remember the rules. No need to worry, Dad." Ewan reassured Marc, who didn't seem convinced. "Besides, Nick and Brian are big boys, they can take care of themselves."

"That's just it. It's not them I'm worried about..." Marc trailed off, as he looked directly at Ewan, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Hey!!! I'm offended!!!" Ewan mockingly joked, as he realized what Marc was implying. "Yeah, I'm sure you are." Marc replied equally dripping with sarcasm. They were both in mid laughter when they heard the deafening screams of the fans surrounding them.

Marc quickly turned away from Ewan, as he returned to the job at hand.

Ewan spotted his friends as they stepped from the gate, and stood waving at the crowd. Instantly, he spotted Nick, who seemed to be searching for him. Once they made eye contact, Nick grabbed Brian and began to quickly walk over towards him.

"We need to get out of here...NOW!!!" Nick whispered desperately into Ewan's ear, right before he released him from the embrace they were in.

Ewan searched Nick's face for answers, but found none. Instead, Nick shot him a pensive look that said, "I'll tell you later."

"Could we get out of here please?!?" Brian pleaded with Ewan.

Before he could ask Brian what was wrong, the others descended upon them, each one greeting Ewan and wishing him a Happy Birthday. Ewan thanked them, but could not escape the uncomfortable looks from both Brian and Nick, who now took refuge behind him.

"Thanks guys. Um, maybe we should get out of here before you get mobbed." Ewan responded.

"Good idea." Nick and Brian answered in unison, garnishing a glare from Kevin.

Nick and Brian turned away, trying to avoid the look Kevin shot at them. Ewan couldn't help but notice the uncomfortably odd behavior between his friends.

"Let's go then. You guys heading out with Ewan?" Kevin said, once again glaring at the two, and speaking in a monotonous tone.

"Uh...Yeah." Nick answered questioningly, almost as if he was asking for Kevin's permission to sleep over.

"Okay. What about your stuff? Is Marc bringing it to the hotel?"

"Yeah. Nick and I have all we need." Brian said almost inaudibly, as if he was ashamed of something.

Ewan watched the exchange take place before him and looked over towards A.J. and Howie, silently searching for an answer to what was going on. A.J. shrugged his shoulders, in answer to Ewan's question. When Kevin signaled that they were ready to leave, their bodyguards arrived next to them. With one last wave, they were on their way.

"What was that all about back there?" Ewan asked, as he sat inside the limousine with Nick and Brian, who breathed a sigh of relief at finally escaping Kevin. It was the first time they felt at ease since the incident the other day.

"I'm not exactly sure." Brian answered.

"Kev's been acting all weird lately. It was almost creepy." Nick said.

" 'Creepy Kevin?' " Ewan added, causing Nick and Brian to laugh, and feel more at ease. "What happened since I last talked to you, Nick?"

Nick tensed when he heard Ewan's question. He hadn't been able to talk to Ewan before today. The last contact they had was the e-mail he sent the night before he had that dream. Since then, he was still in a daze as he tried to sort out what exactly had happened, or didn't happen, and was so preoccupied, that he never got the chance to call or write.

As they drove to Ewan's fraternity house, Nick and Brian took turns relaying the story of how they ditched Kevin the day they went to Disney World. From the way Brian spoke, how Nick seemed to censor certain details, and by the way he was throwing certain glances across the limousine at him, Ewan was able to guess that Nick hadn't told Brian yet.

The expression on Ewan's face changed from a bewildered one, to reproachful, to disappointment, when he realized what had happened. From Nick's last e-mail, he expected something different. Ewan wasn't sure exactly what to expect, and so he prepared to either congratulate the happy couple, or console Nick. What he didn't expect was to find things between Nick and Brian the same as when he last saw them. He silently relayed those thoughts to Nick through his eyes.

Nick caught on, nodded to confirm Ewan's thoughts, and preceded to sink down in his seat from the shame he felt. Feeling that he somehow let his best friend down, Nick turned his gaze from Ewan, and stared out the window at the passing scenery.

Since Nick bowed out of the conversation, Brian and Ewan decided to carry one of their own.

"So the next day, Nick and I almost overslept. I knew Kevin would already be pissed at us for ditching him the day before, and he'd be fuming if we were late. I had to wake up Nicky's lazy ass yesterday morning. I felt bad, cause Frack looked like he was having a really good dream. Eh, Frack???" Brian said, as he nudged Nick's arm, trying to get him back into the conversation.

"You never said what it was about. It must've seemed pretty real cause you were really confused when you woke up."

Nick winced in pain at Brian's mention of the dream, and even more when he touched him. It was like Brian unknowingly took a stab at his heart, and it reminded him of what he could not have. Ewan watched the exchange, and grew even more curious as to what Nick's thoughts were on.

"Yeah." Nick simply responded, not bothering to turn away from the window, only wanting to retreat back into the world he was lost in.

Brian's watch lingered over Nick, before he turned towards Ewan, with a questioning look. Ewan's only response was to shrug his shoulders. Brian took one last look at Nick before he continued with his story. There was a hint of sadness in his eyes as he watched Nick lose himself in his thoughts.

Before turning back to Ewan, he willed away the sadness and concern he felt.

"Anyway," Brian continued again. "When we saw Kevin the next morning, we expected him to be angry, so we were prepared for it."

"Was that vein in his neck throbbing as he yelled?"

"That's just it." Brian said, "We could tell he was angry, but he didn't act like it. There was no yelling or anything. He even asked us about our 'Day Off.'"

"What did you say?" Ewan asked perplexed.

"What could we say? We told him about it and he listened; even acted like he was interested. I still expected him to blow up at us afterwards, but he still hasn't said anything. He just gives us this look from time to time and smiles."

"That's weird. That doesn't sound like Kevin."

"Yeah. I know. So it's been 'Creepy Kevin' for the past few days. It's freakin' me out. I wish he'd just yell at us and get it over with already."

"He was kinda weirding me out at the airport." Ewan threw in. "Something just seemed off." He said, his focus shifting from Brian to Nick as he said that.

Brian caught on and turned to look back at Nick, who was still blankly staring out of the window next to him, lost in another world. In the darkness of the limousine, Brian would catch a glimpse of Nick's reflection through the glass of the window as they periodically passed under a streetlamp. Brian took note of the lack in expression on Nick's face. He furrowed his eyebrows together in bewilderment.

"Well, you guys won't have to worry about Kevin anymore. It's just us. We're gonna have a lot of fun. No 'BackStreet Boys' this weekend. Just Nick and Brian."

Brian turned back to face Ewan, and a huge smile formed on his lips. "Thank God." Brian spoke. "You sure no one will care that we're in the band?"

"Positive. I don't know too many people who listen to your music. There probably will be one or two, but not enough to constitute a mob. We'll probably spend a lot of time in the house, and from what I know; my Brothers don't listen to your music, so it's all good. If they do, then they're in the closet about it."

As soon as Ewan's words left his mouth, they registered in his head and he immediately regretted his callous choice of words. He averted his eyes to Nick's reflection in the dark tinted glass. Their eyes met briefly, but Nick's face still remained expressionless. "Well, that's good." Brian said, causing Ewan's attention to shift once again. "I could use a weekend without the fans or the fame."

"Well...you may have to worry about one fan." Ewan said, as he suppressed his laughter.

Brian caught sight of the devilish grin, and didn't like the glint in his friend's eyes.

"I don't like the way you just said that." Brian said with a smile on his face, while suspiciously glaring at Ewan. "Who is it? So that we can avoid them."

"See...that's the problem." Ewan said as the smile he sported took over his face.

"Oh geez...I knew a weekend of not being a 'BackStreet Boy' was impossible." Brian threw up his hands in frustration and rolled his eyes, causing Ewan to laugh.

"The only one who really needs to worry is you, Bri."

"Me...Why only Me??? Nick's a 'BackStreet Boy' too and he's cuter." Brian said in attempt to cheer Nick up. A slight smile broke through Nick's sullen façade, causing Brian and Ewan to smile. "Who is this person?"

"It's one of the guys who live down the hall from me. He thinks you're cute, and that's why you can't avoid him. He lives in the house." Ewan said, laughing audibly this time. "He spent the entire day trying to put together an outfit to wear for you, and he kept asking me what you were like, and what your favorite things were. I told him you liked oatmeal cookies."

"But I hate oatmeal cookies. You're the one who swears by them."

"Exactly." Ewan said, still grinning. "He spent the whole day baking them just for you. I wouldn't be surprised if he was standing in front of the house, holding a tray of fresh baked cookies when we get there. And as a fan of yours...you can't refuse his gift!!!"

"You're such an evil bastard. You know that???"

"Yup...That's me, but I prefer spawn of Satan."

"Well, at least it's not your roommate." Brian said.

"Well, he thinks you're cute too," Ewan laughed out, "but he probably won't be all over you. I think Nick's more his type."

"Great." Brian said, less than enthusiastically. "How do you know so many gay guys?"

"I don't know. They all just seem to choose me to come out to." Ewan joked, suddenly realizing that he slipped again. He kicked himself mentally for his choice of words, and looked over at Nick, who was gently shaking his head.

"Maybe you show up on their gaydar and they tell you cause you're so damn irresistible."

Just then the limousine came to a stop.

"You're lucky we're here, or I'd have to beat you for that comment. Just for that, I may just tell Micah you're interested in him too." Ewan said, as the driver opened the door.

Ewan stepped out of the limousine and stretched. He was followed by Brian, and then Nick.

"Nice." Nick said enthusiastically, as he stood looking at Ewan's fraternity house.

"So he speaks." Ewan said, and put an arm around Nick's neck.

Nick blushed at Ewan's comment. "Sorry." Nick said, as he looked past Ewan, at Brian who was still gawking at the mansion before him.

Ewan turned around, following Nick's gaze. He could almost feel the pain and longing Nick harbored within.

"Hey Brian, stop staring. It ain't going anywhere. Why don't you go ahead inside and check it out. The guys won't be back till later. We'll bring the luggage in."

Brian grinned at Ewan, and like a kid, ran to the open door and inside. Ewan laughed at Brian's eagerness, and turned back towards Nick, who was also smiling at Brian's excitement.

"He's worse than you sometimes." Ewan said, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Shutup." Nick said, and rolled his eyes. He walked towards the back of the limousine, followed by Ewan, and they both helped the driver unload their small suitcases and backpacks.

"Would you like me to help you bring these in Mr. Carter?" The driver asked.

"It's alright. I think we can handle it. Thanks for your help."

"Will you be needing my services anymore tonight?"

"No. We're good. Thanks."

Ewan helped Nick with the luggage, as they walked towards the house. "I'm sorry about earlier. I wasn't really thinking when I said that stuff in the car."

"It's alright. It was kinda ironic and funny at the same time. If it didn't hurt so much, I'd have laughed. Besides, I don't think Brian caught on, so it's all good."

"So you haven't told him then?"

Nick stopped, looked directly at Ewan with pain filled eyes, and shook his head apologetically.

"What happened? I thought you said you were ready to tell him?"

"I was...I mean, I am...It's just..." Nick stammered out when they heard a commotion come from inside the house.

"Oh my god...Oh My GOD...OH MY GOD!!! It's you!!!"

"Oh shit. I think Micah just found Brian" Ewan snickered. "Let's go save him before he gets his clothes torn off."

"Well it wouldn't be the first time." Nick joked.

"Well, it'd be the first time a guy was ripping his clothes off. Don't think you're off the hook...we'll talk later." Ewan said, and Nick nodded. They ran into the house, hoping Brian was still in one piece.

"Micah...breathe Micah...breath..." Ewan said, as he ran towards his friend and tried to calm him down.

"He's here!!!" Micah stammered out.

"Yes, I know, but you're gonna have to calm down if you want him to stay. You don't want to scare him away, now do you?"

Micah shook his head. "No, but you weren't supposed to be here for another hour. I'm not dressed, and the cookies..." Micah started to explain.

"It's okay, just go change, and finish the cookies. Then, you can come see him later, okay???" Micah shook his head, and left the room in disbelief.

Ewan turned to Brian, who still had this stunned/amazed look on his face.

"He's not usually like that. He's cool." Ewan laughed out and walked over to Brian. "I'm not sure, and correct me if I'm wrong here, but I think he likes you Bri."

Brian slapped Ewan's arm and looked at him directly. "That's so not funny. I thought he was gonna jump me or something."

"Yeah. He probably would have too if we didn't come in. You should've seen the look on Brian's face Ewe; it was like a rat in a trap. It was priceless. I thought you were gonna pee your pants."

"I hate you two. I'm glad you find this so funny." Brian said, sternly, but unable to hide his true emotions when a slight smile crossed his lips.

They were all laughing when Ewan spoke.

"Okay. You guys should get settled in, or rather, Brian you should hide before Micah gets back."

"Nick, you mind if I take him up to the room, while you bring up the bags, and then I'll be down to help you???"

"Yeah. That's cool. I'll bring 'em in here, and then up the stairs. Just get Brian outta here before he goes into shock." Nick joked and ran out the door, just as Brian was about to swat him.

"C'mon. My room's upstairs."

"Yo JAG...you in here???" Ewan yelled into the room, and led Brian in.

"Yeah. I'll be out in a sec." A muffled voice came from behind one of the doors in the room.

"He's probably taking a shower." Ewan said, just as the door opened, and a handsome blonde walked out with just a towel wrapped around his waist.

His hair was still damp as rivulets of water clung to his chiseled body and rolled down.

"Hey...you're mom...Oh shit, I forgot we had company. My bad. I'm Jim, Ewan's roommate." The blonde said slightly embarrassed.

"Brian. Nice to meet you. Ewan's said a lot of nice things about you." Brian politely said with a smile.

"Somehow, I highly doubt that." Jim said jokingly. "Remember, I live with him, and I know exactly how nice he can be."

Brian laughed at his comment. "You're right. I was just being polite...you know us Southern boys." Brian said, this time causing Jim to laugh.

"Great. Now I have two of you to deal with."

"I thought you said there were two of them. Where's the other one?" Jim asked

"Shit. I forgot. Nick's still bringing the stuff in. You two stay here. I'll be right back." Ewan said as he ran out of the room.

"I'll be right back. I'm just gonna get dressed. No sense in meeting your other friend half naked." Jim said, and went back into the bathroom.

"Where's Jim?" Ewan asked as he walked into the room with Nick.

"He's getting dressed. He didn't want Nick to see him naked."

"Somehow I doubt that." Ewan joked.

Nick dropped the bags he was carrying, and looked around the spacious room.

"Nice room Ewe. Pretty big too."

"Yeah. It used to be a quad, but since Jim and I are upperclassmen, we decided that it'd be used only as a double, since we had room in the house anyways."

"Cool. You have a Playstation too. Sweet."

"I thought you'd like that. I had to get one after I toured with you guys. I was suffering from withdrawal, so I broke down and got one." Ewan said, causing Nick to smile.

"I'm gonna go run down and get the rest of the stuff. I'll be right back." Nick said.

"You need any help?" Brian asked.

"Naw, it's cool. There's not much left. I think I can get it in one trip." Nick said, as he left the room.

Jim walked out of the bathroom, fully clothed this time, but with his hair disheveled.

"I ran out of gel. Can I use yours, Obi?" Jim asked.

"Yeah. Just don't use all of it like you did the last time."

"It was one time...and for a good cause I might add."

"I don't consider you going out on a date with the hot guy from your chemistry class a good cause." Ewan joked.

"Shutup. You're just jealous I get more action than you do."

"Not really cause the only other place that sees more action than you do is a McDonald's drive thru. What's your slogan say now JAG, over a million served???"

"Fuck you. Just for that I am gonna use all your gel." Brian sat on the bed giggling to himself, as he watched their exchange.

"Where's the other one? I thought I heard his voice." Jim asked.

"He's downstairs. He'll be up in a sec."

"Cool. We still on for tonight?"

"Hells yeah. This party should be awesome." Ewan answered.

"Yeah. I think the guys said that as soon as their done with the pledges, they're heading over to the party." Jim said, and walked back into the bathroom.

"Cool."

"Here. There's one more downstairs, I'll bring it up." Nick said, walking back into the room. He placed the bags near the end of the bed, passing the bathroom. As he walked by, he noticed that someone was fixing his hair in the mirror.

"Hey." Nick called into the bathroom.

"Hey. What's up? I'll be right out, just need to finish my hair." Jim answered, without looking away from his reflection.

"Cool." Nick answered. "I'll be right back." He said, as he walked back out of the room.

"There...done." Jim said, as he walked into the room. "Hey. Where'd the other guy go?"

"He's downstairs getting the rest of the stuff." Ewan answered.

"What kind of a host are you???" Jim said, as he slapped Ewan's arm. "Why are you making your guests carry their luggage up and down the stairs? These are famous pop stars we have staying with us, and they're used to being serviced." Jim joked, as he plopped down on his bed.

"Yeah...I bet you'd like to service them." Ewan joked, and ducked away from the flying object Jim threw.

Brian was laughing uncontrollably, to the point of tears, as he watched the two of them. He had to duck at an incoming object, as Ewan returned fire. This time, he made a direct hit on Jim's head, messing up his hair.

"Score!!!" Ewan screamed.

"You ass. Now I have to do my hair again."

"No...you love my ass!!!" Ewan said, and was met by the slamming bathroom door.

"You guys are way too much."

"Yeah, Jim's like a brother to me." Ewan said with a sigh, as he sat on top of his desk.

"There. That's the last of it." Nick said, throwing a backpack at Brian, and flopping on the bed. "Why do you have to live all the way up on the third floor? It's such a bitch to climb up all those frickin' stairs." Nick complained, trying to catch his breath.

"It ain't my fault you're out of shape."

"If I wasn't so tired, I'd hit you right now."

"Like I said...it's not my fault you're out of shape." Ewan repeated, causing Brian to laugh.

"Anyway...where's the bathroom around here?" Nick asked.

"Well, Jim's in our bathroom fixing his hair again, so you can use the main one down the hall if you want."

"Alright. I'll be right back."

(A few minutes later)

"There. Done. I swear, god help you if you fuck with my hair again."

Jim said as he fell back down onto his bed.

"Damn Ewe, this place is huge!!! I almost got lost going to..." Nick said as he walked back into the room, but cut off his sentence in mid thought when he heard someone speak.

"JAKE?!?" Jim said, surprise and disbelief on his face when he finally saw Nick in person.

Nick recognized the voice and turned around in confusion. He met Jim's gaze, and fought to keep the shocked expression off of his face.

"No...I told you the other guys name is Nick. Did you forget to take your smart pills again this morning?" Ewan joked, as he jumped off of where he was sitting on top of his desk.

"Jim, this is Nick. Nick, this is my roommate Jim." Ewan properly introduced the two stunned friends.

"Hi...I'm NICK." Nick said, emphasizing his name, hoping Jim would catch on. "Nice to finally meet you."

Ewan looked at Nick questioning his odd behavior. He switched from the petrified look on Nick's face, to the confused one on Jim's. He ruffled his brow in wonder, but let it drop when Jim spoke.

"Likewise." He said, as he accepted Nick's outstretched hand. He continued to shake it, while studying Nick. As a consequence, Nick uncomfortably withdrew his hand, embarrassed at the scrutinizing stare Jim was giving him.

Nick looked over at Brian, and then to Ewan. He was satisfied that Brian hadn't picked up on the awkwardness between them, but he knew from the look on Ewan's face that he was going to have to do some explaining later. The room had grown silent, as each one of them retreated to their own thoughts.

"Hey, did you say something about my mom calling?" Ewan asked Jim, finally breaking the silence caused by Jim and Nick's reunion.

"Who me?" Jim asked, still inspecting Nick, as if he were a specimen under a microscope.

"No. I was asking my other roommate. Yes...Of course you. Are you alright?"

"Yeah. I was just rendered speechless by your friend NICK'S stunning good looks." Jim said with a smile, causing Nick's embarrassment to skyrocket. To everyone's amusement, he blushed a deep shade of red.

Ewan let out a small laugh, and was satisfied that his roommate had returned to normal. "Nicky? Good Looks? I thought you said Brian was the cute one."

This time Brian was the one blushing, as everyone laughed at Ewan's comment.

"This is gonna be fun." Jim said. "They blush way too easily." He said, as he sat on Brian's lap, and put his arms around his neck, causing Brian to blush once again. "See, I told you."

"Yup. They're already used to me, so I don't have that effect on them anymore, but you should have fun with them. Just be sure that Brian doesn't pass out from all the blood rushing into his head." Ewan said, causing Nick and Jim to giggle endlessly.

"Oh...figures you two would think that way. Get your minds out of the gutter." Ewan said, slapping Nick in the arm.

"What? I don't get it." Brian commented, sending everyone into full-fledged fits of laughter.

"What's so funny?" Brian asked once again.

"Awww...He's cute and innocent." Jim said, pinching Brian's cheeks.

"Never mind...You don't want to know." Ewan said, as Brian shrugged his shoulders in defeat. "And don't mind Jim. It takes some time to get used to his odd personality."

"Well, if we got used to your weird one, I'm sure getting used to Jim's odd one won't be that hard." Brian remarked, and was hit by a pillow Ewan sent flying at him. Jim jumped out from Brian's lap, knowing Ewan was going to hurl the object across the room, even before he picked it up.

"Hey, I thought you liked me." Brian joked, as he sat back up on the bed.

"I do...but I care more about my hair." Jim joked, causing everyone to laugh. "Oh, so yeah, your mother called. She wants you to call her back. She said something about leaving for the weekend tomorrow, and something about your birthday, I think. I wasn't really paying attention."

"Thanks. See guys, it isn't just me who finds what my parents have to say uninteresting." Ewan said to Nick and Brian. He walked over to the phone, and dialed a few numbers. "Just give me a sec to get this over with."

"Have you met his parents?" Brian asked Jim.

"Yeah, a few times." Jim said, as he heard Ewan start talking in the background.

"What do you think?"

"They're okay. Ewan can't stand them, but they're a lot like my parents, so I'm used to being questioned about my actions half the time and ignored the other half."

"That's sad. I only met them once, a while back when we were in New York for our last tour. They seemed really nice though. I never understood why Ewan never got along with them."

"That's cause you're not Ewan, or me. We have to deal with the bubble our parent's live in. I don't mind it as much, but I know Ewan hates it."

Brian was about to speak, when Ewan's voice caught everyone's attention.

"No Mother, I'm not doing this on purpose. I'm not missing the engagement party just cause I don't want to go. I really do have exams that weekend." Ewan said, followed by a pause. "NO. There's no way around it. End of discussion." Again there was a pause. "I'm not yelling at you...we've had this discussion before. What does it matter if I'm there or not, anyway?...I'm not being difficult...you're the one being difficult." Ewan said, and rolled his eyes, as the others watched him endure the painful conversation.

Ewan's telephone conversation went on for a few more minutes, and from time to time, he'd lose interest and watch what the others were doing. He noticed that Nick was keeping his distance, and that even though Brian and Jim were engrossed in conversation, Jim would throw slight glances Nick's way. In turn, Ewan watched Nick do the same thing, and when their eyes did meet, Ewan noticed Nick was all too quick in finding something else to look at.

Ewan saw the apprehension on Nick's face. When they made eye contact, Ewan mouthed the words, "What's wrong?" Nick shook his head, and mouthed back, "I'll tell you later." Ewan followed his gaze, and made sure his roommate missed their little exchange. The gears in Ewan's mind began to turn, as he grew more and more confused as to what was going on with Nick. His thoughts were disturbed, when he was brought back to the reality by his mother's overbearing voice.

"I'm sorry Mother...what did you say?" Ewan reluctantly said into the telephone. From experience he knew what would come next and also that if he hoped to end the telephone conversation any time soon, he'd have to sit through his mother's lecture.

After a few moments of silence on Ewan's end, he spoke up. "I'm sorry Mother. I was just caught off guard...I always listen...I'll think about it...okay bye...enjoy the trip. I love you." Ewan finished unenthusiastically, but the only answer he received was the dial tone on the other end.

Everyone looked in his direction when they heard him slam the phone down.

"I swear. Why can't I have normal parents? You know, the ones who send cards on your birthday and on holidays. Maybe ones that are actually happy to hear from you after being away for so long? Is that too much to ask??? I swear that woman can't just call to wish me a Happy Birthday. She has to yell at me, and then wish me a Happy Birthday, like after hearing her lecture me, I'm really gonna have a good birthday. C'mon...is it just me???" Ewan complained to everyone's amusement.

"Never mind...nobody answer. I'm determined to have a fuckin' awesome birthday just to spite them!!!"

"Like everything you do isn't to spite them." Jim joked.

"Yes, but this will be me extra spiting them." Ewan laughed out loud, and shook his head in disbelief. "I need to take a walk. I need some air. Jim, call up Michaelangelo's and order some pizza. Nick's gonna come with me to go get them." Ewan said, throwing Nick a sly smile. Jim complied, and started to dial the telephone number from memory.

"You want me to come with you guys?" Brian asked.

"Naw it's cool. You two look like you're hitting it off. Besides, Nick needs the exercise." Ewan joked, and slung his arm over Nick's shoulders.

A.J. hummed a tune to himself, as he walked down the empty hallway of the hotel they were staying in. He was carrying a white pastry box with the familiar red and white string neatly tied around it. As he approached the door, he gave it a slight knock. He put on a huge grin in anticipation of seeing Kevin.

"Who is it?" A.J. heard Kevin say from inside.

"Delivery."

"I'll be right there"

Kevin stood from the comfort of his bed and walked towards the door, wondering what was being delivered, because he hadn't ordered anything. Without thinking, he opened the door, and was greeted by A.J.'s toothy grin.

"Oh...it's only you." Kevin said disappointedly. "What do you want?"

"Hi Kevin. How are you?" A.J. said, his voice filled with pep that would rival a cheerleader's.

"Go away." Kevin answered, and started to close the door.

A.J., anticipating Kevin's reaction, was quick to respond, and stuck is foot, followed by his body, between the door. To Kevin's displeasure, he managed to squeeze himself into the room.

"I brought you something." A.J. said, as Kevin looked at him disapprovingly. He continued to walk into the room, followed by Kevin.

"What is it?"

"It's a peace offering for ditching you the other day." A.J. said semi-seriously. "It's your favorite. I brought you cheesecake."

"I hate cheesecake." Kevin said monotonously, as he returned to the laying position he was in, before A.J. interrupted him. As he laid there, he mindlessly flipped through the channels on the television, using the remote control.

"What are you talking about?" A.J. asked, as he took the cheesecake out of the box. "You love cheesecake."

"No I don't. I hate it. Howie loves cheesecake. I like Chocolate Mouse." Kevin said, not bothering to look at A.J.

"Oh." A.J. said bewildered. "Well, I like cheesecake." He said, as he cut himself a slice, and put it on a plate that was in the room.

"Figures."

"What?" A.J. said, as he sat on the bed next to Kevin.

"First you ditch me, and then you can't even get my favorite dessert right."

"I really thought it was cheesecake. I'm sorry. I'll get you some chocolate mousse later." A.J. said, as he ate a forkful of the dessert.

"Whatever."

"Anyway...When are you gonna stop being mad?"

"When I feel like it."

"Oh okay. Just asking. You're freakin' Brian and Nick out though." A.J. said, as he continued to eat.

"Good."

"You're such a bitch sometimes."

"You're such a fairy sometimes."

"Ouch. Harsh." A.J. said, feinting hurt, but smiling all the while. Kevin looked over, only to find A.J. shoveling another forkful of cheesecake in his mouth. "Speaking of fairies, have you talked to Nick lately?"

"No. Why? Should I have?"

"No. I was just wondering."

"Just say it. I know you came in here to talk, so just talk. I'm not in the mood to play games right now."

A.J. looked at Kevin with a slight hint of confusion on his face. He wondered whether or not Kevin really wanted to hear him talk, but he needed to talk to someone, so he decided to go on.

"I don't get it. I've done and said everything I can think of to get Nick to come out, but he still hasn't. I think I've made it perfectly clear that I'm cool with him being gay, but he still hasn't said anything. Is it me, or is that boy really dense?"

"Of course you'd be cool with him being gay...you are gay too aren't you?"

"Yes, but he doesn't know that."

"Then just tell him and get it over with." Kevin snipped at A.J. once again. "Just tell him you're gay, and that you saw him kissing another guy, and you wanted to know what was up, and then just see what he says from there. It's not that hard."

"Will you do it for me?" A.J. asked.

"No. I won't do it for you."

"Why not?"

"Cause, I'm fine with him being gay and in the closet...that's if he's even gay. We already don't talk much anymore. Like I really need him to cut me off all together. No thanks. Plus, you're the one who obviously has issues with being in the closet, and with Nick being in there with you. You of all people should know what it's like coming to terms with the whole thing. I don't get why you're trying to force him."

"Cause I don't want to be alone anymore." A.J. plainly said.

His words immediately got Kevin's attention and he muted the television. He turned around to face A.J.

"You wanna get with Nick?"

"No. I didn't say that!" A.J. said in shock as Kevin caught him off guard. "Although, I can't say that the thought hasn't crossed my mind...but that's not my point."

"So what is your point?"

"I just told you. I'm sick and tired of being alone. I want somebody to talk to." A.J. said, looking at the floor.

"What are you talking about? You talk to me all the time about being gay."

"It's not the same. I can talk to you, but Nick can relate. You're not gay, so you don't understand. I want a gay friend. I want Nick to be my gay friend. I want to be surrounded by my people!!!" A.J. said jokingly, but his voice filled with frustration.

"So, come out to everyone. That won't guarantee Nick will come out too, but at least then he may come and talk to you. You can't force him to come out. He'll do it when he's ready, just like you." Kevin said sympathetically.

A.J. thought to himself for a few minutes. He continued to play with the piece of cake in front of him, as he contemplated whether or not he was ready to come out. Kevin could see the concentration on A.J.'s face, and knew this wasn't an easy decision.

"Who knows...if you come out, and Nick doesn't, maybe Howie or Brian will come out to you." Kevin joked.

"Shutup." A.J. said, his interest peaking at Kevin's words. "One of them are gay, and you didn't tell me???" A.J. said in shock.

"No. I don't know. Maybe. I was just trying to make you see the humor in the situation."

"I don't find this situation very humorous."

"I know...I know...I just couldn't help myself."

"Whatever." A.J. said, and went back to playing with his food.

"So, are you gonna do it?" Kevin asked excitedly, as he's waited for this moment for so long. He was both scared and excited for his friend, but knew all along that A.J. needed to tell everyone.

A.J. looked directly at Kevin, and didn't say a word. He nodded in the affirmative and watched as a smile came onto Kevin's face.

"Well, at least I know you're happy about this." A.J. said broodingly.

Kevin stood up, and pulled a chair in front of A.J., and sat down. He looked his friend in the eye, and spoke from his heart. "No matter what happens, I'll be here for you, just as I've always been."

"Thanks." A.J. said, and leaned in to hug Kevin.

"Just don't forget me when you're surrounded by your 'people.'" Kevin responded, as he broke away from A.J. Kevin saw a smile appear on his face, and was happy for him. "So when are you gonna tell everyone?"

"Tomorrow, I guess. I just don't know how to tell everyone."

"Don't worry about it. I'll take care of it. All you have to do is say... 'Hi, I'm A.J. and I'm a homosexual.' And then we'll respond, 'Hi, A.J.'" Kevin joked again, this time earning a slap on the knee from A.J.

"I'm coming out...not telling everyone that I'm an alcoholic. So how we gonna do this."

"Leave that to me." Kevin said, as he stood up and walked over to the telephone.

"Thanks Sam. Don't forget about tomorrow. I wanna see you there." Ewan said, as he and Nick grabbed the pizza boxes.

"For you Ewan, anything. I wouldn't miss your birthday party for the world. I think the whole campus knows about the party by now." Samson said, as he finished ringing up Ewan's order.

"I don't care about the whole campus. Just make sure I see your ass at the club tomorrow."

"Someone's the "Big Man on Campus." Nick commented as they started to walk back towards the fraternity house.

"Well...what can I say? I'm a pretty lovable guy."

"Oh, and don't forget modest too."

Ewan let out a small laugh at Nick's comment. "Naw, it's just what happens when you're in a fraternity known for throwing kick ass parties. That, and for some odd reason, all the parties that center around me end up turning into an orgy."

"Somehow, I can believe that."

"Yeah, but even with the title...I'm still all alone." Ewan said. They fell into a silence as they continued to walk.

Nick's thoughts centered on Ewan's comment, as he thought about his situation. All of a sudden, his thoughts shifted towards Ewan and Jim. He replayed the conversation he had with Jim back in New York. Finally, he connected the "roommate" Jim spoke of, to Ewan. He now carried with him the knowledge of Jim's secret love for his best friend. He wondered if his world could get any more fucked up. He was convinced someone out there enjoyed toying with him.

"So...we gonna talk?" Ewan asked, breaking the silence between them.

"Sure...why not." Nick said in frustration.

"I take it you haven't told Brian yet?"

"No." Nick answered simply, without breaking his stride.

"Why? I thought you said you were finally ready to tell him."

"I was...I mean...I still am...but..."

"But what?"

"I was gonna tell him when we got back from Disney. It was all set, and everything was perfect..."

"So what's the problem?"

"I had this dream."

"A dream?"

"Yeah..." Nick paused as he thought to himself. "...A dream." From the tone in his voice, Ewan knew something was wrong. He knew of the storm that was brewing within his young friend's heart, so he waited for him to speak again. "Have you ever had a dream where it just seemed so real...you thought it was actually happening? Where you could hear everything clearly and feel everything around you...feel every emotion?"

Rather than answering Nick's question, Ewan stayed silent, hoping Nick would continue.

Nick stopped suddenly. Ewan watched as Nick stared into the distance of the street they were walking on, and then as Nick turned to face him. Silently, Ewan stared into Nick's eyes, but somehow knew Nick wasn't looking back. He stared past Ewan, maybe even through him, perhaps losing himself once again in his dream.

'He seems so lost.' Ewan thought to himself.

"It seemed so real."

"The dream Brian was talking about." Ewan said, as he realized what Nick was speaking of.

"Yeah." Nick responded, still staring off into the distance. They returned to their walk back to the house.

"It was so real." Nick would say over and over as they walked, a stronger sense of anger and urgency behind each repetition. "It was so perfect." Nick muttered, as he kicked the ground in front of him. "It was so perfect." He repeated, frustration, pain, and disappointment filling his voice.

"Was it that bad?"

"NO...Just the opposite...It was the best dream I've ever had...It was perfect! No...It was beyond perfection...it was pure love."

"What was it about?" Ewan hesitantly asked, as his curiosity got the best of him. His question caused Nick to stop and look at him. Nick's eyes looked intensely at Ewan. For the first time throughout their entire friendship, Ewan saw so much pain and confusion in those eyes. The crystal blue ocean that usually shone within the boy was now a murky swamp of emotional disorder.

After taking a breath, Nick started to recount his dream. His voice wavered at some points, but Ewan noticed the excitement that only love could cause in his friend's eyes during certain points. As Nick went along, Ewan began to understand why Nick had been so frustrated earlier. Ewan listened as Nick described the perfect outcome to his coming out. He cursed fate for putting Nick through this ordeal. The dream seemed more like a slap in the face for his best friend.

"...and then we made love. It wasn't just sex, Ewe...Brian and I made love. I could feel his hands on me, taste his lips, and...and I felt safe...I felt like I was home."

"Wow." Ewan said in amazement, but Nick could pick up the slight hint of sadness in his words.

"Yeah." Nick said, followed by a pause. Then I heard him call my name...and I woke up. I still thought all of that actually happened, until I asked Brian what he remembered from the day before, and then I realized it was all just a dream." Nick finished with disappointment. "It was a fucking dream."

"So, how did you guys end up with Ewan?" Jim asked as he opened another beer and handed it to Brian.

"Don't you mean how did Ewan end up with us?" Brian asked jokingly. "It's a funny story actually."

"If it involves Ewan, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be less than interesting. If it were, I'd be surprised." Jim said, taking a sip from his beer, and sitting down across from Brian. "Just please don't tell me he won some contest from a local radio station, who gave him some tickets and backstage passes, and then one of you guys fell in love with him, and then gave him a job so that he wouldn't be away from the one he loved."

"Huh?" Brian asked in confusion.

"Never mind...I just read too much I guess. So tell me the story."

"Well, we were on a flight to New York, and since there's five of us, Nick ended up sitting by himself. We usually buy six seats on the plane, so that who ever had to sit by himself, doesn't have to deal with having a fan sit next to him."

"Lemme guess, that didn't stop Ewan?" Jim asked laughing.

"Nope."

"Figures." Jim quipped, causing Brian to laugh. "Ewan was never one to live by the rules."

"Nick was sitting in back of the four of us, so we didn't' really see what happened. Nick tells us that he fell asleep, and when he woke up, Ewan was there sleeping in his lap."

"What?!?"

"No joke. Apparently, Ewan recognized Nick, and decided to sit next to him, until he woke up."

"That takes balls."

"Yeah, but stranger things have happened, especially when Ewan's around. Kevin, my cousin who's in the band too, went nuts when Ewan first toured with us."

"Wait...So what did Nick do?"

"What could he do? He denies it, but when Ewan tells this story, he says that the reason why he woke up from his nap on Nick's lap was because Nick started to freak out."

"Holy Shit."

"I know. Well, long story short, after Ewan calmed Nick down...Well, this is what they both say...I was knocked out on meds cause I hate flying, so I don't know what else happened...he and Nick hit it off really well. It turns out, Ewan's lil' sis is a big fan, and when he saw Nick sitting by himself, he couldn't pass up the opportunity to get an autograph from his sister's favorite BackStreet Boy. They kept in touch I guess, and the next thing we knew, Nick invited Ewan to tour with us.

"I'll never forget it. The first day Ewan was with us, I woke up the next morning to find that the two of them thought it would be funny to freeze all of my underwear the night before. I had to go commando that day." Brian said laughing and shaking his head in disbelief, as the memory flooded over him.

"Later, he told me that that was his way of saying that he wanted to be my friend. I thought he was just plain weird after that, but as I got to know him more, he's become one of my best friends."

"That's so classic Ewan though. At first I thought he did those things cause he needed the attention, then I realized he was just weird like that." Jim said.

"Yeah, but he's a really good friend though."

"That I agree with." Jim said raising his beer bottle and toasting it with Brian's.

"So explain this to me again. Why haven't you told Brian yet?" Ewan asked as they continued their walk.

"I wanted to...really bad, but I just couldn't find the right time to do it. The next day we were just running all over the place, and then Kevin was mad and acting all weird, and then we had to take the flight here. It was all non-stop till now. That, and the dream. I think it's all a sign. I'm just not meant to be with Brian. I should just accept that fact."

"Oh shut up. You don't even know that. You haven't even given it a chance, and now you're giving up on it? I don't think so. You've put yourself through this much, you might as well see it through." Ewan said, as Nick just listened.

"What I still don't get is the dream. Isn't that a good sign? I mean, if you had such a vivid dream where it all worked out, shouldn't you at least try and make it come true?" Ewan asked, trying to work through his confusion.

"No. It's just the opposite."

"No...it's just you stalling, Nick."

"Seriously dude, I'm not stalling. I really do want to tell Brian."

"So...what are you waiting for then?"

"I don't know. Every part of me wants to tell him, but every time I get the balls to do it, something happens to stop me."

"No, you just let it stop you."

Nick thought about Ewan's words and knew he was right.

"What's stopping you, Nick?"

"I don't know. I just have these doubts, and I'm worried that he's not gonna take it well, and I'd rather just leave things the way they are, so that I don't mess anything up."

"So you'd rather stay miserable. Is that how it is?"

"No. It's just I don't want to fuck up what Brian and me have right now."

"What do you have? You two are best friends, and because you're best friends, you telling him isn't gonna fuck anything up."

"How do you know?"

"I don't know. You just have to trust Brian, and trust that your friendship with him is strong enough to tell him how you feel. That's all I'm saying...that's all I've been saying. You keep running around in circles, and until you tell him, you're still just gonna be running around in a circle.

"It's like a hamster in a wheel. He keeps running, but still ends up in the same spot all the time. Eventually, he's either gonna get tired, or get smart enough to know that it's time to get off."

"Lemme guess...that hamster is me?"

"You got it."

"But the dream..." Nick started to say, but was cut off by Ewan.

"What about the dream? From what you tell me, it was a good dream. It's your subconscious telling you that you need to tell him now."

"I can't. The dream tells me the opposite. Every dream I have, the opposite happens, and I know this isn't going to be the exception."

"You don't know that. You can't base every decision you make on what happened to you in the past. It's not always the same thing, or the same situation. There are always different factors involved. If it seems like things are just repeating itself, then it's just coincidence."

"I don't think so. Ever since I could remember, it's just been that way, and I know it always will be that way. I've come to accept that. It's just the way my fucked up life goes. Nothing good ever happens. There's always something waiting to ruin what happiness I may have."

"I can't believe you're talking like this. Why are you being so skeptical? You're a frickin' pop star who gets to tour the world doing what you love most! Good things happen to you because you make them happen. It's all up to you and not some imaginary person out there who you think rules your life. It's all in the attitude you have."

"That's easy for you to say."

"No, it's not. You know how long it took me to realize that? You know about all the shit I went through just to be able to come to that conclusion. Fate, hope, destiny, signs...all that means nothing. It's all an illusion that people choose to believe in."

They walked in silence once again, as Nick contemplated Ewan's words.

"Look, all I'm saying is that you've spent all of this time worrying and mapping out all of the possible outcomes of you coming out, and telling Brian that you love him. As far as I'm concerned, you've prepared for every possible scenario, and now you have no other option but to tell him and see what happens.

"I don't mean to pressure you or anything, but I hate seeing you all miserable and tortured like this. You need to tell him. You won't be happy until you do. You need to know either way."

"That's the part I don't like. I'd rather just not know, and play it safe."

"Unbelievable." Ewan said somewhat agitated. "You just tell yourself that, but all you'll end up with is regret."

"I'll regret it if I do tell him, and he rejects me totally both as a friend and as a boyfriend."

"Well...that's why you need to tell him. You need answers to your questions. You need to tell Brian, so that you know whether or not you need to move on. You owe yourself that much."

"Fine." Nick said, finally giving in. "How about I take it one step at a time. I'll come out to everyone first and then see what Brian has to say afterwards. What do you think?" Nick stopped and looked directly at Ewan after he said that.

"What do I think??? I think finally I may have gotten through to you!!!" Ewan said excitedly. "That's a good plan. So, when are you gonna do it?"

"I don't know. I guess when we all get together or something." Nick said, just as his cell phone started to ring. "Hold on a sec." Nick said, as he put the pizza box he was holding on top of the ones in Ewan's hands. He took out his cell phone and checked the caller I.D. Kevin's name was flashing across the screen, as he reluctantly answered the call.

"What's up Kev?"

"Nothing much. Just calling to tell you that we have a meeting tomorrow around two. It's mandatory, so no ditching."

"I said I was sorry about the other..." Nick tried to apologize, but was cut off.

"Yeah...yeah...whatever. Just make sure you and Brian are here for the meeting."

"Where is it?"

"It'll be here in my room. It's a group meeting." Kevin said authoritatively.

Nick's attention was piqued when he heard Kevin say that it was a group meeting. They only had "group meetings" when someone in the group called them to discuss personal issues within the group. Nick began to worry.

"Group meeting? Who called it? What about?" Nick said worriedly into his cell phone.

"Yes, group meeting. A.J. called it, and you'll have to wait till tomorrow to find out what it's about."

"A.J.?" Nick questioned. "Do you know what it's about?"

"Yes, but I can't tell you right now. You'll just have to wait until tomorrow for A.J. to tell you guys."

"Is it serious?" Nick asked, trying to get more information from Kevin.

"Just make sure you guys are here for it. That's all I'm saying. I'm just the messenger this time." Kevin said plainly, letting Nick know he wasn't going into any more detail.

Nick looked at Ewan in time to see him mouth the words "what's wrong?"

"Can Ewan come along?" Nick asked Kevin, still looking at Ewan, who had a confused look on his face.

"Hold on. Let me see." Kevin said, as he covered the telephone on his end and talked to A.J. "Yeah, bring Ewan along. A.J. says it's cool."

"Alright. We'll see you guys tomorrow then."

"Yeah. Don't forget. Two o'clock sharp, and make sure you tell Brian about it too."

"Yup. I will. Don't worry. I'll talk to you later, Kev. Bye." Nick said, and flipped his cell phone closed.

"What was that about?" Ewan immediately asked, as soon as Nick put away his cell phone.

"Group meeting, and you're coming along." Nick simply said, as he took back the pizza box he was carrying earlier.

"Kevin didn't say what for?" Ewan inquired.

"Nope. He only said that A.J. was the one who called it. That's it."

"Hmmmm."

"What?"

"I was just thinking...since you just said you'd tell everyone once we all got together..." Ewan said, and didn't even need to finish his sentence.

Nick knew exactly what he was thinking.

"Tomorrow?" Nick asked, suddenly feeling nervous.

"Why not? Just tell everyone before the meeting starts. That's what group meetings are for aren't they?"

"Yeah, but I don't know." Nick hesitantly said. He didn't think it would happen this soon.

"C'mon, you just said so yourself. You want to wait for the next time everyone gets together, and tomorrow's meeting is it. It's perfect. It'll be fine. Trust me. I'll be there if you need me." Ewan said, staring straight into Nick.

"Alright. Fine. I'll do it, as long as you're there."

"I wouldn't miss this for the world." Ewan said with a smile, as they started walking again.

"I'm glad you find this so amusing." Nick joked.

"It'll be fine. Trust me..." Ewan said with a devilish smile on his face, which Nick never saw. They continued to walk a few more blocks and turned onto Fraternity row. Ewan stopped, and turned to look at Nick again.

Nick saw that Ewan had more questions brewing within him, and grew worried.

"What?" Nick asked.

"What's up with you and Jim? I know the two of you really well, and it just seemed like the both of you were acting all weird around each other.

It felt like you were uncomfortable to be around him."

"Yeah...Well...That's another part of my fucked up life. Do you remember when we were in New York, and I told you about this guy I almost had sex with?"

"Yeah." Ewan answered, trying to read the expression on Nick's face.

"Well, that guy I hooked up with is your roommate." Nick said plainly, waiting for Ewan's reaction.

"You're kidding right? You hooked up with Jim?"

Nick didn't answer, but silently nodded.

"HOLY SHIT!!! You touched his winky!!!" Ewan said, and then burst out into laughter.

"You know. I'm so glad you find all of this so humorous. My life's a mess, and you're just laughing at me. Why am I friends with you again?"

"I can't believe this. This is way too much." Ewan said, after regaining his composure from his laughing fit. "I guess now it all makes sense. He said he hooked up with a Jake back in New York, and when he got back, he was looking through the booklet in the new album you sent me, and said the guy looked like you. I thought it was just a coincidence that 'Jake' was the fake name you use when you travel. It all makes perfect sense now." Ewan said, but unable to control his laughter, broke down once again.

"I hate you...you know that? I really do." Nick said, this time succumbing to Ewan's contagious laughter.

"Only you, Nick. This shit only happens to you."

"You see what I mean now? Someone out there really enjoys fucking with me!!!" Nick said, looking up at the sky.

"You two should straighten it out so that it isn't uncomfortable for either of you this weekend." Ewan said in a serious tone.

"Yeah. I will. Once we get back, I'll talk to him."

"Good. Let's just hope he's not hitting on Brian right now. They seemed to get along really well." Ewan said, teasing Nick.

"I swear...If the two of them get together...OH SHIT!!!"

"What?"

"He knows."

"Who knows?"

"Jim knows how I feel about Brian, and we left them there together. I'm so fucking stupid. I completely forgot!!!" Nick said, as he started to panic.

"You told Jim? Why?"

"It's a long story, but when we were hooking up, I freaked, and he had to talk to me to calm me down."

"That's my Jim." Ewan said, filled with pride.

"Yeah...Well...It felt so good to talk to him about it...and it was just so easy..."

"You mean he was easy?" Ewan joked.

"Can't you be serious for a minute. What am I gonna do? I told him I was in love with my best friend, who is now all alone talking to him!!! I'm screwed!!!"

"Don't worry about it. I know Jim, and he's not gonna say anything. Did you even use Brian's name?"

"No..."

"See, there you go. It's all good. I'm pretty sure he's figured it out by now. He may look dumb, but if anything JAG's perceptive as all hell.

That's probably why you found it easy to talk to him, but trust me...He won't say anything to Brian. He's not like that."

"I hope so...I hope so..." Nick said, as they continued on their way.

"...so he's never talked to you about liking guys?"

"No. I mean it's never come up, so there was no reason to..."

"I was just hoping, I guess..."

"You really do love him don't you?"

"Yeah...I do." Jim said dreamily, finishing his latest bottle of beer.

"Awwww...." Brian said, as he moved over next to Jim, and enveloped him in a hug.

"Alright...that's enough of that. I hate getting all sappy." Jim said.

"I think you should tell him." Brian said bluntly, accepting another beer from Jim.

"Oh, that'll fly right. 'Hey Ewan...I'm in love with you...Will you sleep with me now???'" Jim said sarcastically, causing the both of them to laugh.

"I'm serious. From what you've just told me, you need to tell him. If anything...you need to do it for yourself. You won't be happy until you know." Brian said, amazed that he was giving out advice to someone he just met. He wasn't sure if the reason why he felt so at ease with Jim was from the beers they just shared, or because he felt Jim was so nice and easy to talk to. It was undeniable that they had connected on some level, enough for him to be talking this way.

"Don't you think it'll be weird though?" Jim asked. "He is one of my best friends, and he's my roommate. I know it'll definitely get weird if he doesn't feel the same way."

"I don't think so." Brian said, as if he was an authority on the subject. "Ewan's a smart guy and a good friend. If he doesn't feel the same way, I don't think he'd let it get weird...that's up to you. Like I said, you won't know until you tell him. Who knows...he could be "The One" for you and you could just let the opportunity slip by if you don't tell him.

"You need to trust Ewan and your friendship with him. He's your roommate, your best friend, and he's definitely one of my best friends in the world. I like to think that if something like this came up between us, we could deal with it." Brian said, and then took a swig from his beer.

"That's just it. We're best friends." Jim said, and then thought to himself. He remembered something that was bothering him ever since he was reunited with Nick. Jim thought back on the conversation they had in the hotel room in New York, and realized that Brian must have been the best friend Nick was in love with.

"Hey." Jim said, and slapped the side of Brian's arm. "You're best friend's with Nick right?"

"Yeah."

"Well...how would you react if Nick told you he was gay and in love with you?" Jim boldly asked, and waited for an answer. Jim watched as Brian contemplated the idea.

As Brian sat looking at Jim, there was a rustling outside of the door.

The door to Ewan and Jim's room suddenly opened.

"Pizza's here!!!" Ewan said, as he and Nick burst through the room. "Whoa. Someone started the party a bit early." He joked as he noticed several empty beer bottles on top of the dresser.

"Hey. No fair. Ewan and I have to catch up now." Nick joked, causing only Ewan to laugh.

Brian turned his head and looked directly at his best friend when he heard his voice. He stared at him for a few seconds, and then turned to look at Jim again.

Suddenly, Jim felt both uncomfortable and disappointed at his roomie's bad timing.

"Well, that's cause you guys took so long. Brian and I were getting restless." Jim said as he stood from the bed. He walked over to the small refrigerator in the room and pulled out two beers. He opened them, and handed one to both Nick and Ewan.

"Let's eat." Ewan said, as he opened the pizza boxes, and as Brian still stared at Nick.

"Yes. I'm sure no one will recognize you, and if they do, there's not gonna be any teenage girls here to shriek your names. If someone asks, just give 'em an autograph and move on." Ewan said irritated, anxious to get to the party.

Nick and Brian complied and took off their makeshift disguises, causing Ewan and Jim to smile.

"Okay. Now let's party!!!" Ewan said, leading the way into another mansion-like house, decorated with large Greek letters above the entryway.

Ewan and Jim spotted a crowd of their Fraternity Brothers through the sea of college students. When they were spotted, one of the men in the group waved them over. As they were walking through the crowd, Ewan and Jim stopped every few feet to greet people they recognized. The music the live band was playing was too loud for them to carry on a full conversation, so after a small wave or a smile of acknowledgement to those they passed along the way, they finally made it to the corner where their Brothers had assembled, along with Nick and Brian in tow.

"What's up guys?" Ewan screamed, attempting to overpower the music. He greeted everyone in the usual manner by giving them their Fraternity's secret handshake.

Once all of the formalities were taken care of, Ewan proceeded to introduce Nick and Brian to all of his Brothers, as friends from out of town. They were greeted kindly by everyone with smiles, slight nods, or hand shakes. Nick and Brian finally felt at ease and began to enjoy themselves. They were finally happy to escape their titles and responsibilities as "BackStreet Boys," even if it was just for the night.

They enjoyed their newfound anonymity by talking with people they just met, dancing, and drinking. It was apparent to Nick and Brian through the various looks they received, that some people had indeed recognized who they were, but to their surprise, there was no shrieking or screaming from them. If anything, the people who did recognize them were intrigued for the moment, but it was apparent that they were more interested in having a good time at the party, than meeting a BackStreet Boy. Once in a while, they did have to stop and autograph a napkin or piece of paper for those people there who were fans, but those occasions were few and far between.

Throughout the night, Ewan watched his two friends, and always found them smiling and having a good time. He smiled inwardly, glad that he was at least able to give this small pleasure to Nick and Brian. He knew how hectic and abnormal their lives were like at times. From touring with them, he understood the constant spotlight that shone on them, and if for one weekend he could take them out from under that harsh light and give them some semblance of normalcy, he would do it in a heartbeat. To Ewan, that's what this weekend was about. Celebrating his birthday was only secondary to friends' happiness.

An hour or two later, and a few more drinks in his system, Ewan once again searched the house for his friends. He was easily able to spot Brian, who was participating in a typical drinking game that often occurred at these parties. He could tell that although Brian was losing due to his unfamiliarity with the game, he was still enjoying himself. They made eye contact for a brief moment, giving each other nods of acknowledgement. Brian even tried to signal Ewan over to join his losing battle, but he refused, wanting to see how Nick was doing.

He wasn't able to spot Nick in the main room, so he decided to search the various side rooms for him. After glancing into a few of them, he finally found him. Nick was engrossed in what looked like a fun conversation with several of his Fraternity Brothers. He decided to walk over and casually join in.

"So...Obi-Wan," Ewan heard one of his Brothers speak, "along with about ten other pledges, were blindfolded and on their hands and knees in the middle of the backyard." Ewan immediately recognized the story his Brother was telling, and rolled his eyes in response.

"Well speak of the devil." The one telling the story said, as he looked up at Ewan. "You're right on cue. I was just getting to the good part." He smiled, and motioned for Ewan to join them.

"So I hear." Ewan said sarcastically, and sat across from Nick. "You don't really wanna hear this story do you, Nick?"

"Hells yeah I do!" Nick said excitedly, feeling like he was truly a part of the group. "Jase was just getting to the good part." Nick said with a smile. "Go on...I really wanna hear this." Nick said to Jason.

"I like him." Jason said, pointing to Nick. "Alright...so they were all in this dark field, and the point of the exercise was to recognize, find, and trust their Big Brother's voice. Just so you know...JAG," Jason said, pointing at Jim, "was Ewan's Big Brother."

Jim covered his eyes in obvious embarrassment, which only further caused Nick's interest in the story to deepen.

"So the Brothers at the time all spread out and called out to their little brothers. This went on for a few minutes, until we heard JAG scream 'HOLY SHIT.'" Jason said, as he laughed along with the others. "Apparently, Ewan's Big Brother wasn't paying attention, which caused Ewan to ram head on, into the brick wall in the yard."

"Hey...I was paying attention. It's not my fault Obi doesn't know his left from his right." Jim joked, earning a slap in the head from Ewan.

"What are you talking about? I do know my left from my right...you're the one with no sense of direction." Ewan said, as the two of them argued for a few minutes, to everyone's amusement, especially Nick's.

"Anyway...That's not the funny part." Jason said, garnishing the attention of the group once again. "So we all go over to see what happened, and we find Ewan curled up in a little ball grabbing his head. It was so cute." Jason said directly at Ewan.

"Yeah, I'm so sure you found it cute. More like hysterical since I heard all of you laughing around me."

"Yeah...You're right...it was hysterical. So, Ewan tries to get up, but he somehow manages to lose his balance..."

"I had a concussion!!! I got dizzy!!!" Ewan defended himself.

"Sure. Whatever you say." Jason responded, causing Ewan to blush. "So he gets up and he starts to lose his balance. Jim reaches out for his hand, and the next thing we knew, we hear this splash. The two of them fall backwards into the pool!"

Nick laughed uncontrollably as he pictured the whole scene in his mind, when suddenly he came to a realization.

"But wait...Ewan can't swim!" Nick interjected.

"Exactly. That's the funny part. Jim didn't know how to swim either, so they were both in the pool, arms waving and screaming." Jason said, flailing his hands in the air, re-enacting their movements. "I swear, at one point, Ewan tried to drown Jim and use him as a life preserver. We all stood there until we realized that they couldn't swim. So, a few Brother's jumped in and pulled them out.

"To this day, I don't think either of them have set foot inside our pool." Jason said causing everyone to laugh and howl at his story, except for Ewan and Jim who hung their heads in embarrassment.

"That's so classic." Nick said, once he was able to calm down. "Wait...Wait..." he continued, waving his arms, trying to get everyone's attention. "Since we're on the topic of embarrassing Ewan stories... I've got a better one." Nick said, as he looked across towards Ewan, flashing him a malevolent smile. Ewan's eyes were suddenly averted towards Nick's, who could see the questioning look Ewan was giving him.

"Did Ewan tell you guys how we got arrested in Paris?" Nick asked the group, and then looked back over at Ewan with a huge smile plastered on his face.

Ewan looked at Nick in shock, unable to believe what he was hearing.

"Obi was arrested?" Jason asked, and Nick nodded. "Oh this I have to hear."

"No you don't." Ewan cut in from the side.

Jason looked over at Ewan with a wicked smile on his face. "You have to tell us this story, Nick."

Nick looked over at Ewan once again, and just smiled. Ewan couldn't believe his friends were sharing embarrassing stories about him.

"Okay...So we were in a hotel in Paris, and it was right after a concert. We were leaving early the next day, but Ewan thought it'd be a good idea to stay up and drink and just get on the plane."

"Hey, don't blame me. You went along with the idea." Ewan threw in.

"I didn't know any better!" Nick argued, and then continued with his story. "So there we are...it's two in the morning, and we're plastered. Get this...Ewan dares me to go out in a trench coat and flash people."

"Oh shit...did you do it?" Jim asked in shock, knowing Ewan was capable of conjuring up outrageous ideas, but not this crazy.

"Well...I didn't know Ewan that well yet, to know how crazy he really is...So, I figured if I said that I'd only do it if he did it...He'd lose interest and let it drop." Nick explained to Jim.

"Oh, that was a big mistake." Jim said, laughing and shaking his head.

"Yeah. I know that now!!! So thinking I'm off the hook...All of a sudden Ewan agrees and gets up. I tell him that we don't have any trench coats, but that still didn't stop him. The next thing I know, we're walking out of this second hand store...me naked, except for this trench coat we just bought, and Ewan in this hideous pimp daddy, leopard print, fake fur coat, and a hat to match!!!" Nick said, as everyone broke out into laughter.

"We walked up to the first couple we see, and Ewan flashes them. I find this funny that I flashed them too. We do this a few more times and just as we're about to walk into our hotel...this cop stops us."

"Holy shit...for real?" One of the guys in the room asked.

"Yup." Ewan answered for Nick.

"Maybe we should have named you flash instead." Jim joked.

"Wait, so what happened?" Jason asked, enthralled with the story.

"They cuffed us, but luckily they took us into the hotel, rather than the precinct." Nick continued. "After Ewan did some explaining in French, they let us go."

"What did you say to them?" Jim turned around and asked Ewan.

"I made up some story about how Nick was the son of some ambassador, and that we had a bit too much to drink. I told them we were registered in the hotel, but leaving France in the morning. I think that's why they let us go. We were leaving French soil." Ewan explained.

"You guys got lucky then."

"Well not really." Nick interrupted. "You see, by the time they let us go, it was already time for us to leave. Remember, we were both still very naked, except for our hideous coats. The cops insisted that they escort the 'son of a diplomat' to his room, as a gesture of French courtesy.

When we got up to our floor, everyone in our band was in the hallway looking for us. You should've seen the looks on their faces when we walked down the hall, dressed in coats that only came up to our knees, followed by two French policemen." Nick finished his story, causing everyone to burst into another round of laughter.

"Kevin was so pissed at us. He wouldn't let us go out without at least having one of the other guys come with us." Ewan said to Nick.

"Yeah...I remember."

"Who's Kevin?" Jason asked.

"He's one of the other guys in the band. Your remember Brian?" Nick asked.

"Yeah."

"He's in the band too, and Kevin is his cousin."

"Oh...kinda like those New Kids on the Block guys." Jim said, causing everyone to laugh and Nick to blush in embarrassment.

"Naw. They're much better singers than them. They only lip synch to half their songs." Ewan joked, paying Nick back for embarrassing him with the story earlier.

"So what do you guys sing?" Another one of the guys asked.

"Mostly pop...and we cover some songs." Nick answered, not wanting to explain the entire history of the BackStreet Boys.

"Don't you guys sing that I want it my way song?" One of them said. "You know, that annoying song Micah plays all the time." He said, as the group groaned in acknowledgement.

"Yeah...We do." Nick said embarrassed, but laughing with Ewan.

"Then you're gonna have to sing for us tonight." Jason announced, to Nick's surprise.

"Naw, I can't."

"C'mon...You do it for a living...Don't tell me you're shy!!!" Jason joked.

"It's not that...It's just..." Nick tried to find an excuse, but was overruled by Jason and the entire group. He saw Ewan laughing at the predicament he was in, and got an idea.

"Alright...Brian and I will sing, but only if Ewan joins us." Nick said triumphantly, delighted that he was able to drag Ewan into singing with them.

"Obi-Wan can sing?" Jason asked surprised.

"Hells yeah, and he's pretty good too." Nick answered, and flashed a devilish smile at his best friend.

"Oh...He's never told us this before. Now THIS I have to see." Jason said, and stood up, followed by the others.

"I'm not gonna sing in front of everyone. Nick and Brian can pull it off themselves." Ewan whined.

"C'mon...It'll be fun. You're not pussying out on me are you?" Nick asked, and put an arm around Ewan. He knew he was never one to back down from a challenge, especially one issued in front of his other Fraternity Brothers.

"Ohhh...He called you a pussy!!!" Jim said as if on cue, egging Ewan on further.

"There's no way I'm letting Nick call me a pussy!!! Let's go!!!" Ewan said, as everyone cheered. They all exited the room, and headed towards the main room where the band was.

On their way up to the makeshift stage, Nick and Ewan grabbed Brian and ushered him to the stage.

"What's going on?" Brian asked.

"Ewan's gonna sing." Nick said.

"Cool."

"You guys are singing with me." Ewan said to Brian.

"Coool. What are we singing?" Brian asked to Ewan's disappointment. He was silently hoping Brian would object, giving him a reason not to have to get on stage.

"I'll get you for this later." Ewan said across Brian to Nick, who was thoroughly enjoying himself.

"Can I have your attention please?" Jason said into the microphone. Later on, Nick found out that Jason was the president of Ewan's Fraternity, explaining why he was so outgoing.

"Everybody having fun?" Jason asked, receiving a loud cheer from the crowd. "Good!!! Well, we have a little treat for you guys tonight. We have a few singers amongst us. If you haven't recognized Nick and Brian over here from..." Jason started to say, but realized he didn't know what group they were from. He turned around to Nick to get the name, but before he could ask, he heard a few screams from the crowd.

"They're BackStreet Boys!!!" Someone screamed.

"BackStreet Boys...Woo Hoo!!!" Someone else screamed causing everyone to laugh.

"Thank You!!!" Jason said into the microphone." Nick and Brian are from the 'BackStreet Boys,' and joining them is their special guest...Ewan McGovern of Kappa Upsilon Mu!!!" Jason continued to say, followed by hoots and hollers from the crowd.

Jason stepped aside clapping and indicated for the three to take the stage.

"Thanks for having us guys!!!" Brian said into the microphone, his southern accent prevalent.

"This was kinda a surprise to us that we were performin' tonight." Nick said. "So bear with us. We haven't really practiced." He continued to explain, but was still adorned with cheers and applause from the crowd.

Nick, Brian and Ewan huddled with the leader of the band to discuss what songs they all knew, and were capable of performing. Ewan was surprised at how Nick and Brian knew a lot of the songs he suggested. When they were set, they took their spots in front of the microphones they were given.

"You guys ready?" Ewan asked the crowd, and was greeted with a chorus of "Yeahs" and applause.

The band began to play the first few chords of the song, and everyone immediately recognized it. They had decided to do a cover of the band Filter's latest single, "Take My Picture." Nick and Brian told Ewan they knew the song because A.J. constantly played it on the bus.

The guitar riffs started to fill the room and everyone was bobbing and swaying to the music. Ewan took the first verse, as they agreed earlier, and his voiced filled the room. Nick could see that there were a few surprised looks from some of the guys he was talking to earlier. He just smiled and pointed at Ewan, mouthing the words "I told you so."

The chorus rolled in and Nick and Brian joined Ewan in that part of the song. Nick took on the first part of the second verse and when he stopped, he opened his eyes and looked over at Ewan with a smile. They were both bobbing their heads as they heard Brian's voice take over the second part of the second verse.

"Could everyone agree that no one should be left alone...Could everyone agree that they should not be left alone...and I feel like a newborn...and I feel like a newborn...kickin' and screamin'." Brian sang out. Ewan turned back to Nick and pointed a finger at him, signaling that Brian was singing that to him with such soul.

Nick's only response was to shake his head at his best-friend's persistence.

Ewan took on the final verse singing, "Hey dad what do you think of your son now...Hey dad what do you think about your son now!!!" Ewan's eyes were closed as he belted out those few lines, but Nick could tell from the expression on his face that he sang those words with truth behind them. That was why they came out so powerful. He knew now why Ewan had chosen this song. It was what he felt.

The three of them pulled off the cordless mics from the stands in front of them, and stepped off of the stools they were sitting in, and moved to the front of the stage to finish the song. As they sang the last line, everyone applauded and cheered them on.

Someone was standing in front of the stage with a Polaroid camera and signaling them to look their way. Nick spotted them and motioned for the other two to pose for a photograph. Nick and Brian each put an arm around Ewan's shoulders, while Ewan did the same from his spot in the middle. There was a flash of light, as that moment of perfect harmony they shared, was captured forever.

As they stepped off of the stage, the band began to play, and Nick walked over to the girl with the camera. She handed him the picture and he thanked her, before returning to the party that was still in full swing.

Ewan and Jim carried the two inexperienced frat partiers to their room. They were still giggling, reminiscing, and singing as they made it up the last flight of stairs. It was a different story though when the two beds in the room came into sight. Brian and Nick quickly rushed for the same bed and plopped down. Within seconds, their drunken stupor carried them off into unconsciousness.

"What do we do now?" Jim asked, as he giggled at the two in bed together.

"Just let them sleep it off. Why don't you take the other bed, and I'll crash on the floor."

"Sounds good." Jim said as he sat down on the opposite bed. "You know...they look cute together."

"Yeah...that's what I've been trying to tell Nick." Ewan blurted out, his brain unable to censor his thoughts.

"I guess you figured it out huh???"

"Yeah. Nick told me all about your encounter with him in New York. Small world, huh?" Ewan said, as Jim broke into song, singing "It's A Small World After All." After the first round, Jim and Ewan were sitting on the bed laughing.

"So what are we gonna do about it?"

"I don't know. I still haven't figured that one out yet. Ultimately, it's up to those two...I guess."

"Yeah...but we're gonna have to speed it up some." Jim said with an evil grin.

"Oh geez...I hate it when you go all Dr. Evil on me!!!"

Jim put his pinky to the lower right hand corner of his lip and laughed maniacally.

"Go to bed. We'll talk in the morning."

"What are we doing tomorrow, by the way?"

"Well...they're having a group meeting, so if you wanna tag along to their hotel, I think it'll be okay."

"Coo." Jim responded before plopping down onto the bed.

"G'night JAG."

"Night lil' bro." Jim answered, completing their nightly ritual.

Ewan stood from the bed and looked over to where Brian and Nick lay. Somehow, during their banter, Brian and Nick had shift their positions and where now 'spooning' each other, with Nick's arm around Brian's waist.

"It's fate." Ewan said as he turned off the lights and moved over to his desk. He sat down, turned on his desk lamp, and pulled out a piece of paper from one of the drawers and looked for a pen. When he found it, he looked over once again towards Nick and Brian and began to write.

Once he was done, he folded the piece of paper and found an envelope to put it in. Once he had sealed it, he turned it over and wrote Brian's name on the front. Ewan opened his backpack that was next to his desk, and placed the letter inside. He turned off the desk lamp and moved over to the extra mattress he had brought in earlier to go to sleep, but before he laid down, he made his way over to the bed where Brian lay. Ewan kneeled down before his sleeping form and watched as the moonlight shone on his two best friends.

"You've just gotta love him Bri...you just gotta." Ewan whispered into the night, before laying down to rest.

It was only a dream!!! Hey, you guys didn't think it was gonna be that easy or...perfect...for Nick, did ya? Okay...so what did you think? You still gonna read on, or do you hate me now??? :) Either way, drop a line to let me know!!!

I made this one super long, to make up for lost time, and just in case you're wondering if you have to wait another 5 months for an update...fear not!!! The next chapter is done. I'm just gonna wait a while before I post it.

I wanna hear from all of ya reading this. I wanna know what you really think, and I'm kinda curious as to where you think the story is going, or where you'd like it to go. Or if you hate the story.

Thanks You's:

I just wanted to thank all of you who have written to me while I was on an extended sabbatical!!! You guys are the best!!! If I haven't written you back...I apologize.

Question:

Dudes!!! What happened to all of the BSB stories??? I know I haven't written in a while myself, so I don't really have a right to ask, but I'm begging you...PLEASE UPDATE YOUR STORIES!!! I miss them dearly. You know who you guys are...but just in case you've forgotten, I'll name a few! :)

Carter - What happened to "Open Arms?" I miss reading it and talking to ya!!!

DLS - Where's "Brian and Me?"

Announcements:

I've started writing a new story. It should be out soon. Haven't got a title yet...gotta work on that. It's an Alternative Universe Story. The main story revolves around Nick and Kevin, but it involves both the BSB and 'Nsync.

New Special Section: A Call to Arms to all Nicky Carter fans!!!

Just recently I've received disturbing news about the lack of Nick Carter fans out there. I know that is so not true!!! We're out there...so come out of your closets and speak out!!!

Check out these Nick friendly stories, and drop a note to the author's professing your love for the adorably cute Nicky Carter!!!

Shout out to Carter who has his own story out on Nifty. I haven't forgotten about ya!!! It's called "Open Arms." Check it out!!! It's proving to be a good story.

"Beneath It All" by the infamous Scotty T.

"Some Kind of Bliss" by Braan

"Brian and Me" by DLS - This focuses on Brian, but the part Nick plays is awesome and sweet...and most importantly he's gay!!!

"Fixing the BackStreet Boys" by Kelly just finished. It's an awesome story, and Nick gets some in it!!!

"Life's Discoveries" also by Kelly. It's a Kevin and Nicky story!!!

I know there's more of us out there...so here's your chance to speak out!!! I wanna hear from all the Nicky fans!!! I know there's more out there, but I just didn't get a chance to include them yet...Promise they'll be in the next one!!!

Nicky fans UNITE!!!

Lucas Out...till next time!!!

rtstories@hotmail.com