The Perfect Storm

DISCLAIMER: This is a work of pure fiction. The author has no true personal knowledge of the sexuality of any member of the Backstreet Boys, particularly that of Nick Carter. This is also a work of fiction that depicts men in romantic, sensual and, sometimes, sexual situations. If you are under the age of 18 or it is illegal in your community to read or view such material, they do have wonderful programs such as "Net Nanny" to filter out such offensive material. If none of the above applies to you or you simply don't care, then please read on...

The Perfect Storm

Installment 1

By: Dmetri Xavier

As he looked outside his office, Zach noted the storm clouds rolling in. He did not feel like driving the seventy miles down to the building where they were holding the latest meeting on the merger. His company was in negotiations to merge with another company of the same size, making them a sizable enough force in the fashion industry to be reckoned with. Besides, he had wanted to venture into sports wear for a long time, as evening and formal wear are almost seasonal as far as sales go. He dialed his partner, Philip, to tell him that he wouldn't be there.

"This is Philip Knight. Speak."

"Hey Phil, this is Zach. I don't know if you've noticed, but there is a storm brewing outside, and I am not about to drive in it. I need you to proceed without me."

"Zach, why don't you have Richard drive you down?"

"Because today is Richard's day off. What, you can't handle the negotiations without me?"

"Well, you deal with the Dragon Bitch better than I do."

Zach chuckled. Stephanie Buchanan, the woman who they were purchasing the company from, was very hard-nosed and strong. Some, like Phil, mistook her for a bitch. She really wasn't though; she was just a very strong woman who knew what she wanted. And now, at 70, with six grandchildren who didn't even know her, she wanted to retire. With that though, she wanted enough to keep herself and her family comfortable.

"Phil, she isn't that bad. Just tell her that I don't think that it is safe for me to drive in this weather, and that I have authorized you to act for the both of us. If she wants confirmation, just have her call me on my cell."

"OK man, but you owe me big time. By the way, what are you going to do when you start having to drive down here everyday?"

Phil was speaking of the fact that Zach was the one who was going to be stepping into Stephanie's shoes as CEO of that branch of the new corporation. "Actually Phil, I have looked into buying something down in that area."

Phil was silent for a moment, "Really? You didn't mention this before."

"Philip, we discussed this before the purchase was even thought of. I can't drive 140 miles round trip per day. And I do not want to be dependent on a driver full-time." Zach was concerned. Why was Phil acting this way?

"What about us, Zach?" Phil asked.

Zach was confused. About a month ago, he and Phil had gotten a little drunk while out celebrating the pending purchase of the new company, and they had ended up sleeping together. Neither of them really remembered much, but they had decided just to act as before, that it was a mistake they did not want to repeat. Although since then, they had been spending more and more time together.

"Phil, I didn't realize there was an 'us'. I thought we had already discussed this."

"Well, then I guess I've jumped to conclusions again. I'm sorry, I don't want to talk about this over the phone either. We'll talk about it later, only if you want to." Phil said, resigned.

"Are you sure?" Zach asked, concerned.

"Positive. Let's get this merger over with, and we'll talk about 'us', if there is one, later."

Zach could feel Philip tensing and turning cold again. He didn't want it this way, but he didn't want to fight with the man over a telephone line either, "OK, Philip, we'll talk about this later. Good Luck."

"Thank you. Be careful driving home."

"I will." And with that he hung up. He looked again outside. The rain was coming down in sheets. He would have to be extra careful driving home. He had purchased property sometime ago near the Angeles National Forrest, so that he could get away from the busy hubbub of LA. He designed and built his own house back up on a foothill, very secluded and private. Hardly anyone knew the house even existed there. The only way for him to get there was to cut across to the 14 freeway, and take Placerita Canyon Road back to the property. He was not thrilled about driving through that winding canyon road in weather like this. Zach left the office, telling the receptionist that he would be returning on Monday, and if anyone needed him, page him or call his cell.

Driving home wasn't as bad as Zach thought, for the rain was keeping most people indoors. Therefore the freeway wasn't crowded at all. He got off at his exit, and started toward the canyon. Just as he was getting to the windiest part of it, he noticed this young man standing near a smoking BMW Z-28, waving a T-shirt up in the air like a flag. Zach would've normally continued on driving, but something was nagging at him to stop, like it was something he just had to do. The kid was in trouble, and this kind of the middle of no where, and his conscience wouldn't let him live if he left that poor boy out here in the rain with a broken down car. He pulled over to the side of the road, just behind the roadster. As he did, the kid ran up to his passenger side window and tapped at it. Zach cautiously lowered it half way.

"Hey man, thanks for stopping. I didn't think anyone would be coming down this road, and I thought I'd be stuck here awhile." He flashed him a brilliant smile of perfect white teeth. He was a mess. His blonde hair was plastered to his head, and his clothes where soaked, clinging to him like a second skin, "My phone doesn't work out here, I guess it's because of the mountains or something. Otherwise I would've called for help."

Zach looked at him. He definitely looked harmless, "You're right there. Unless your phone is on a digital PCS network, you won't get a signal out here. And even if you are, you still run the risk of interference, because it drops off in areas. What's wrong with your car?"

"You know, I could care less. It's a rental. I just wanted to go out for a drive, to get away from work for awhile, and I get this. It figures." He flashed another smile. Zach's usually conservative reserve was melted down.

"Why don't you get in, out of the rain. My house is up just a little bit farther, and you can use the phone from there." Zach couldn't believe he was doing this, but something kept pushing him forward.

The kid had a look of anxiety on his face. Zach could tell that he was just as scared as he was about taking anything from a stranger. He finally sighed, "I guess that's cool. I need to call the rental company to come and get that piece of shit too, I suppose."

Zach hit the unlock button for the door locks. The kid opened the door cautiously, like he was still thinking it over. The he suddenly plopped into the leather seat. "Oh man, I am so sorry about this. I don't want to ruin the interior of you car." The kid looked at him, concerned.

Zach smiled and laughed, "It's okay. It's a company car anyway." And with that, he started the engine and drove the rest of the way up the hill. They sat in silence until Zach made the turn that lead to his driveway.

"Uhhmm...where do you live, sir?" the kid was notably nervous.

Zach noted his fear. "I live just up here. I like my privacy, that's all."

They drove through the grove of willow and oak trees the lined the windy driveway until Zach's house came into view. It was a stately affair: a Victorian-style tower house with a wrap-around porch and glass garden conservatory. Zach modeled it after the house that was featured in the movie Practical Magic, which was one of his favorite books. The kid looked up at it and seemed pretty impressed.

"You live here?" he said to Zach.

"Yes I do." Zach answered calmly.

"All by yourself?" he asked.

"Well, yes I suppose. I have a house manager, who heads the staff for the grounds and the house itself. She lives in the coach house behind the pool, but otherwise it's just me."

"Oh, okay." He seemed a little less nervous, but still wary.

Zach could understand. He did live a bit like a hermit, but it was just because he found that with his lifestyle choices that he preferred this arrangement. He never liked living in the city, and to him this was as close to country as he would allow himself. He still needed to feel that he was close to anything he needed or wanted. The surrounding areas of Santa Clarita and Valencia were growing so much that it was near impossible for a person to find any place that afforded so much privacy. The grand new mansions and large houses that they were building were right on top of each other, and in tracts. He just liked the forest area so much, and found it hard to give it up. He cleared his throat and offered the kid his hand after pulling in front of the landing. "My name is Zach, by the way."

The kid shook his hand firmly "I'm Nick."

"Well, Nick, shall we make a run for it? You're actually closer to the stairs then I am." Zach laughed, noting the rain outside.

"Yeah, we should. I think I've had enough of cars for today." Nick said, showing that perfect smile again.

"On the count of three then?" Zach suggested.

Nick laughed, "One...two...THREE!"

Both of the cars doors opened at once, and the two men rushed for the stairs at once, trying to avoid as much as they could of the torrential downpour. When they both made it to the top of the landing, Nick looked out and muttered, "So much for sunny California!"

Zach laughed, "We need this rain. It's been too dry for too long."

"Yeah, but it could've waited until after I left. It's been raining non-stop since I've been here." Nick told him.

"Where are you from?" Zach asked casually as they both walked the length of the deep porch to the front door.

"Florida." Nick said to him.

"Really? Isn't it raining and hurricane season in Florida right now?" Zach teased.

"Yes, but I came here to get away from that." Nick laughed.

Zach opened the door to the house and motioned Nick to come inside. Nick was expected something much grander then the very cozy and homelike house he walked into. Zach peeled off his overcoat and hung it on the coat tree near the door. He walked toward what seemed to be a den to Nick and motioned for him to follow him. "You can use this phone here. I am going into the office right next to the fireplace there so that I can check into work."

"Cool. Thank you Zach, I really appreciate this." Nick said to him.

"No problem. Something kept nagging me to pick you up, or I would feel sorry. I don't ignore my intuition." Zach smiled back at him, and walked into his office.

Nick picked up the cordless phone and sat down on the overstuffed chair closest to the fireplace. He dialed the number to the hotel. "Yes, room 117 please. The password? Well, they're registered under the names Pinky and Missy. Thanks."

"This is Brian. Wassup?"

"Hey man, the car broke down."

"Dude, where are you? We've been wondering where you went after the shoot." Brian asked his friend and band mate, concerned.

Nick laughed, "You won't believe this. That BMW I rented."

"The James Bond car?" Brian interrupted.

"Yeah that one. Well, it blew up." Nick laughed into the phone.

"You're kidding right Nick?" Brian asked incredulously.

"Nope, I'm not. Here I am driving up this little canyon road, just trying to shake off that nasty crap that happened at the shoot, and all the sudden the damn car just starts making this really bad clanking noise. It's been raining like shit; I almost lost control of the car. I got it to the side of the road and here I am." Nick answered back.

"Are you okay man? Where are you anyway?" Brain responded.

"Yeah, I'm cool. A little bit scared still to be honest, but I'm cool. I'm at...well...I'm at this guy's house. He picked me up when he saw the car broken down."

"Really? Who is this guy, Nick?"

"I honestly don't know Brian, I just know that he seems pretty genuine and he was nice enough to pick me up out of the rain. Otherwise I'd still be standing there with my thumbs up my ass because me cell phone doesn't work in this canyon and I have no idea where the nearest town is."

"Nicky, calm down. I just want to make sure this guy isn't some psycho fan that hunted you down or something. I mean, what kind of guy lives back in a canyon anyway?" Brain retorted.

"The kind of guy that has lots of money Brian. You should see this place. It looks like that house in the movie Practical Magic."

"Well...just be careful. I'm sure the other guys don't want to hear about you turning up tortured and dead because you were picked up by some psycho fan on the side of the road in the middle of a rainstorm. Besides, I really don't think you should've been driving anyway, with the mood you were in."

"I had to get out of there Brian. She pissed me off for the last time." Nick answered back, quietly.

"Nick, what did we tell you about bringing her along all the time? She hasn't grown up yet, and she needs to get a life other than worshipping you and your money." Brian snapped.

Nick was starting to get upset. He knew Brian was right, that he should have left Mandie at home, but what else was he going to do? She was threatening to tell everyone. "I just can't lie anymore, Brian. She keeps threatening to go to the press since she found out."

"Nicky, I know, and we all support your decision. It's your choice whether you want to go public with it or not. It's your life too, not just 'ours'." Brian said softly to him.

"Thanks man, I appreciate it." Nick said, also softlly. He wished things between him and Brian could've been different. Brian had Leighann though and he made it clear that he didn't want to give her up, even though he admitted to Nick that he was attracted to him. Nick used to be a happy fence sitter, but he grew out of that it seemed. Women just didn't do anything for him anymore, other then look good on his arm for press shots. Mandie wasn't even accomplishing that.

"So...Nick...is this guy cute at least?" Brian teased him.

"Dude you are sick! First you tell me to beware of this guy because he might be a psycho, and now you're asking me if he is cute?" Nick laughed into the phone.

"Hey man, you've never heard of a cute psycho before?" Brian asked back.

"Yeah, his name is A.J." Nick replied.

"That's harsh man! True, but harsh." Brian giggled.

"Well...I just tell it as it is." Nick was close to busting up, "Hey B, do me a favor though. Call that damned rental company and tell them to come get that piece of shit car!"

"Yeah, will do. When will you be back?" Brian asked him, seriously.

"I just need a little bit of time for myself, Brian. What did you guys do with Mandie?" Nick asked, the fear showing in his voice.

"We sent her home. Kevin had a good talk with her though before she left. A.J. pretty much threatened her with her existence if she ever breathed a bad word about your relationship."

"I don't want her back after this man. I've cleaned up too many of her messes already. Britney could've pressed charges on her that last time you know." Nick stated.

"Yeah, I know, but it was killer watching Britney bitch-slap that girl from here to kingdom come!" Brian laughed again.

"Yeah it was. Listen man, I've got to go. I've been on this guy's phone too long already. Talk to you later?" Nick asked him.

"Yeah man, just remember we have a photo shoot for the new video the day after tomorrow." Brian reminded him.

"I know, I'll be there. See you soon." Nick said to him.

"See you around man. Don't be gone too long."

Both of them hung up the phone before realizing one tiny detail: how was Nick going to get back to the hotel anyway?

"ZACH ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND! You brought a hitchhiker home with you? Are you crazy?" Phil screamed into the phone.

'He's just a kid, Philip. He's probably not even eighteen yet. I think he took his daddy's car out for a joyride and blew it up." Zach answered back calmly.

"Zach, what makes you think this kid didn't just go out and steal that car? What makes you think he isn't some juvenile delinquent just waiting for the right time to bash you over the head and rob you?!" Phil was getting worked up.

"Phil you are over-reacting big time. He is just a kid. There is just something about him that is really familiar." Zach answered back.

"Yeah, you've probably seen his wanted poster. Where is he?"

"He's in the den making a phone call. I'm assuming to the auto club or something."

"YOU LEFT HIM ALONE?! IN YOUR HOUSE?!" Phil was literally making the receiver shake with how loud he was yelling.

"Philip calm down. The kid has his own money. I can tell by the way he dresses. I'm going to go now, I'll call you later once you've calmed down." Zach ended the call right there. Phil was totally over-reacting. Nick was probably just some kid that stole his dad's car and is afraid of getting busted for it. No big deal. Zach knew how it was growing up wealthy and bored.

Zach walked back into the room where Nick was sitting on the chair next the fireplace dosing, with his shoes off, drying near the grate. He looked so peaceful, like an angel. Zach was actually finding the kid attractive, but he had to shake his a head a few times over that one. That's all he needed was to get in trouble for having sex with a minor.

Nick woke up to the sound of footsteps coming into the room, and opened his eyes just slightly to see who it was. It was a trick he learned on the road while on the bus all the time. It helped when you didn't want to get out of bed in the morning. He noticed Zach looking at him, and he instantly wondered, "Does he have any idea who I am?" He saw Zach walking toward him and he felt his hand on his shoulder. It was as if an electric shock passed through his body. "What was that?" Nick thought to himself.

"Hey, Nick. Wake up. Where you able to get hold of someone?"

Nick yawned, "Yeah, I called my friend I am staying with at the hotel. He is sending someone from the rental company for me to pick up that car."

"That's good." A strange feeling came over Zach, and he felt almost sad that Nick might be leaving. Something egged him on, "Listen, are you hungry? I think Laeticia should have dinner ready soon." Zach couldn't believe he was asking the boy to stay.

"Yeah actually I am. Do you mind?" Nick couldn't believe he actually was happy Zach was asking him to stay.

"No, no problem. I figured you'd be starving...then again I don't know when the last time you ate was, so if I'm being forward." Zach said nervously.

"Actually Zach, I am starving. Food sounds excellent right now." Nick answered.

There was an unbearable silence in the room, until both realized that they were staring in each other's eyes. At the same moment, they both looked sheepishly away, realizing that they were looking at the other, and realizing the other was looking at them. Suddenly, regardless of their soaking wet clothes and the chill that was in the air, they both found the room to be unbearably hot. Neither of them really understood what was happening, and neither of them wanted to admit it. It was as if they were both two magnets: they were drawn to the other, but at the same time repelled. Time stood still it seemed, until Zach cleared his throat, "UmmmMMM...follow me. The dining room is this way."

Nick shook his head, as if he was jolted out of a daydream, "I'm sorry Zach, what did you say?"

"I said follow me. The dining room is this way." Zach repeated, as he starting walking toward the rear of the house.

Nick noticed and followed, saying, "Oh I'm sorry. I don't mean to seem out of it, but it's been a long day."

"Tell me about it. Strange too." Zach muttered.

They both walked into the kitchen, where they were greeted by whom Nick assumed to be Laeticia. She was a big, robust Black woman, with her hair in braids piled on top of her head in a bun held in place by a wooden spoon. She smiled as soon as she saw Zach, and gave him a big hug. She looked over at Nick, who stood behind Zach like a shadow. A minute smile played across her lips, "This is the one," She thought to herself.

"Laeticia, this is Nick. He'll be joining us for dinner tonight." Zach said as he pulled Nick closer forward to meet Laeticia face to face. Nick dragged a little, not knowing what to expect.

Laeticia could see the look of trepidation on Nick face, "Don't worry, child. I don't bite, well at least not hard," she said giggling, "Don't be shy. My name is Laeticia. I'm Michie Zach's housekeeper. How 'r you?"

Nick looked at this lady, and immediately felt comfortable with her. She reminded him of someone familiar, "Hi. My name's Nick. You have an accent. Where in the South are you from?"

Laeticia laughed, "Forward, aren't we? Actually, son, I'm from Louisiana, the same place Michie Zach there is from. I've been around him since he was knee high to a grasshopper." She looked at Nick, and said, "You're from the south too. I hear a little bit of an accent there as well."

"Yes ma'am, I'm from Florida, actually." Nick answered politely.

"Well, we'll talk more later son. Right now I need to get you boys fed while this supper is still warm. Now git, and go sit down at the table." She said, shooing them both out to the dining room.

Zach and Nick both left the kitchen at the older woman's request, making there way to the dining room table. Zach sat at the head of the table, and motioned Nick to sit at his right. The table was already set for two, leaving Zach wondering how Laeticia knew he had a guest. "Probably heard me come in with him or something." He thought. As they sat down, Zach poured Nick a glass of ice tea from the pitcher that Laeticia had left for them on the table.

"So, Nick, what brings you out here to California?" Zach said, realizing how much that sounded like a pick-up line after he'd said it.

Nick didn't notice, "Actually I'm out here for work." He answered.

Zach was surprised, "Really? What do you do?"

By now, Nick had pretty much assumed that Zach didn't know who he was, "Well, um...I'm a performer. I travel with my group a lot."

Zach looked at him strangely, "Hmmm...maybe that's where I know you from. I thought you looked familiar. Have you done any television?"

Nick looked back at him, smiling, "Yes actually, I've done a few TV specials." He smirked to himself.

"Then that's where I know you from. How old are you, if you don't mind me asking?" Zach questioned.

"I'm 20. Why do you ask?" Nick responded.

"You just look much younger than that. That's all." Zach answered.

"Really? How old did you think I was?"

"I don't know, about 16 or 17." Zach was embarrassed.

Nick couldn't help but cringe. He always got that from people, and it was getting on his nerves, actually. "Do I act like a teenager?" Nick asked bluntly.

Zach looked at him, and realized he hit a sensitive spot, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. I just though you looked younger, that's all. I honestly didn't mean anything of it." Zach could feel his face flushing.

Nick looked at Zach, and realized that Zach truly was embarrassed about the question, and decided to let it slide, "I'm sorry about that. It's just a sore spot for me. Everyone seems to think that because I look younger, means I am going to act younger. I just find it annoying."

Zach looked at him thoughtfully, "I didn't mean to imply anything. In all honesty, when I first picked you up me reaction was 'here is a kid who took his dad's car out for a joyride and broke it'. Don't take that personally, because it was something I used to do all the time, when I was younger. I also knew how much trouble I'd get into, so I figured if I helped you."

Nick busted up laughing, "That's funny...me steal a car."

Zach started laughing too, "Yeah, you know, you don't look like a car thief."

Nick looked up at him with a smirk, "And how many car thieves have you known?"

Caught off guard, Zach looked at him, "Touch^Â."

Just then, the doors to the kitchen burst open, with Laeticia entering balancing a tray full of steaming hot food. She set a plate down in front of each of the two men, and began to fill their glasses with red Bordeaux, when Nick stopped her by putting his hand over his glass, "Not to be rude, Miss Laeticia, but I don't drink."

"Really now." She glanced over at Zach, who smirked back at her. He knew that she was testing Nick, to see where his limits were, "Okay then, how about some fresh lemonade?" Laeticia was impressed.

"That actually sounds great. Thank you, Miss Laeticia." Nick answered politely.

"Now, no more of this 'miss' stuff. Honey, I'm far too old to be a 'miss'. Laeticia is good enough for me." She said to him, with a twinkle in her eye. Nick smiled broadly back at her. He liked this woman. She was no nonsense and reminded him of someone very familiar.

The two of them finished their dinner with light conversation, finding out that they had a lot in common, in spite of them being so far apart in age. Nick had never felt this way with anyone, except the guys, and that was just pure friendship for the most part. There was just something different about Zach that made him feel...well...something different.

Zach looked at the young man sitting in front of him, and began subtracting the years between them. He was twenty-nine, so that would make Nick only nine years younger than him. Zach breathed an inner sigh of relief when he realized that they weren't that far apart in age. Nine years apart isn't all that much...

**Speak now, or forever hold your comments. Those of you who have read my stuff in the past know that I don't continue a story unless I get feedback. Please write me at dmetrixavier@hotmail.com and tell me what you think :) **