Prologue


"Ashley, honey, its time to wake up," her mother called, opening the door to get the twelve-year-old up and ready for school.


"Mom..." Ashley groaned hoarsely. "I don't feel so great..."


"Why? What's wrong?" Her mother inquired going over to the bed to check on her child. "Are you not feeling well?" Ashley shook her head.


"My throat hurts and my tummy feels bad....." Her mother placed a hand to her forehead and frowned some. "I'm going to get the thermometer and take your temperature, okay?" Ashley nodded silently, closing her eyes to go back to sleep for a few short minutes. A few minutes later, after leaving the room to get the thermometer, her mother returned with it in hand. "Okay, lift your arm," she said, sticking it under her daughter's arm. "Now, hold still." She smiled, as she knew her daughter never liked to lie still for the thermometer to work - but then again, who did? Finally the thermometer beeped and Ashley watched her mother take hold of it and check to see what it read. Her mother shook her head. "I think it's best if you stay home, dear," she told her. "You've a slight fever and there's no point in getting everyone else sick. Besides, I'm sure we can talk your father into bringing our T.V. in here for you, so you can watch while you rest."


“Kay,” Ashley agreed and she watched as her mother disappeared from her room to go talk to her father. Not too long after, he brought the TV in and set it all up before leaving her to rest. She settled back against her pillows and blankets and she grabbed the remote and began flipping through the channels. She suddenly came across the TV show House and she could feel tears beginning to cloud up in her dark brown eyes. House was her sister Kori’s favorite show. Kori is thirteen years old and she mysteriously ran away about a month ago without a trace or an explanation. She and Ashley were very close and she can’t understand why she would run away. She thought she was happy and never saw it coming. Just as Ashley was about to turn the channel she heard a loud crash and her mother scream from downstairs. Curious, Ashley tip-toed to the top of the stairs and crouched down to see just what was going on. She was shocked beyond belief to find a couple of thugs standing in their living room with guns pointed at her parents heads. She squeaked quietly, quickly covering her mouth with her hands. She felt her tears fall, as her mother looked directly at her and mouthed 'love you', right before her father attacked the gunman, only to be shot point blank. Ashley gasped quietly, not wanting to make any more noise than necessary. The gunman then turned and shot her mother right before her eyes. Her eyes went wide, as she tried to blend into the stairwell, hoping they didn't spot her. The thief’s started their thieving, and when no one was looking, Ashley snuck upstairs as quietly as possible and called the cops, locking herself in her room and hiding in her closet.


“It’s not down here - it’s probably upstairs in her bedroom.” One of the thieves announced, and just as they were headed up the stairs, an ambulance and police cars were heard pulling up to the house. The two men stopped dead in their tracks.


“Shit…” one of them blurted out in a panic, and they turned and ran toward the door to the backyard. They opened it up and ran out into the backyard, jumped the wall, and took off running for safety. Police Officers came busting in then, and looked about, frowning when they found the bodies of Ashley's parents on the living room floor. They get the paramedics to tend to them and cover them with sheets, while they go off in search of the child who'd called the robbery in. When they reached the top of the stairs they noticed four bedrooms - all doors opened except for one. Assuming that is the room she is hiding in, they tried the knob only to find that it’s locked.


“Open up the door honey… it’s the cops. We aren’t going to hurt you… we’re here to help.” one of them spoke gently through the door. Ashley remains silent, not so sure she can trust them - what if they weren't really, cops, but just saying that to get her to come out? If she opened the door, she could wind up dead just like her parents, and that would be awful - wouldn't it?


“Come on sweetie, we need you to open the door. We promise that you’re perfectly safe now.” The woman officer spoke this time. Ashley whimpers and sniffles softly, as she finally moves to unlock the door - knowing for a fact that none of the thieves had been female. When the door was open, sure enough just as they promised she found two officers standing there.


“Hi honey…I’m Greta, and this is my partner Hank. What is your name?”


“Ashley…” she spoke softly.


“Did they hurt you at all?” Hank questioned, looking the terrified twelve-year-old over. Ashley shook her head.


“No… th-the-y didn’t even know I was here. What’s going to happen to me?”


"We're not quite sure just yet," Hank admitted. "We'll have to call other family members and stuff."


“While Hank does that, why don’t you come sit down with me and we’ll get to know each other a little better,” Greta offered, and she lead Ashley to her bed to sit down. Hank then left the room to make some phone calls. Ashley and Greta sat on Ashley’s bed and talked, Greta asking her questions but at the same time trying her hardest not to traumatize her more then she already is. When Hank returned about a half n hour later he had a frown on his face. Greta looked at him curiously.


“What’s going on?”


“Ashley, why don’t you pack up all the things you will need honey. I have been asked to bring you back down to the police station,” Was all Hank said.


“Okay…” Ashley replied softly. He then turned his attention back on his partner.


“Greta, come out in the hall with me please. We need to talk.” Greta did as Hank told her to and got up and followed him out of the room. When they were gone Ashley let her tears fall. She already knows they aren’t going to find any other family member to take her in. Both set of Grandparents have disowned both her parents long before she was even born due to the fact that they were strict. They tried to keep Ashley’s parents apart because of prejudice reasons so they ran away together. She can’t be placed in any orphanage or Foster Homes - she won’t let them do it. She thought long and hard about it for a few minutes, and then knew exactly what she had to do. If Kori could get away with it, she could too. She got up and quickly packed a backpack full of clothes and everything she would need. When she finished she opened up her window and looked outside. When she saw no officers were around, she carefully crawled out her window and down to the ground. When she reached the ground she took off running toward the woods near her house. Little did she know, a stranger in the distance was watching her.

Chapter One: Just Charity
*Five Years Later*


“Hey Riley!” Nick greeted cheerfully as he walked into the orphanage/hospital known as Ramsey. Part of it is a hospital while the other half is an orphanage and it’s only for children. Nick has a part time job there when he isn’t touring for the Backstreet Boys.


“Nick you’re back!” a young woman in her early 20’s with long blonde hair and grey blue eyes exclaimed as she went running toward him. Nick smirked and held his arms open just on time for her to come flying into them and he embraced her with a hug. “It’s been a very long time I have missed you so much!” She told him.


“I’ve missed you too. I’m telling you that has to be the longest tour I have ever been on.”


“Well how was it? You know, besides the fact that it was long?” She asked anxiously, as she led him to sit down behind the counter of the front desk with her.


“It was pretty good. We all had a pretty good time it was just very time consuming and exhausting. I kept wishing that I could be here; I missed the orphanage so much. It’s all that I thought about. We had to listen to Brian complain a lot too. He kept whining about how much he misses you - it got quite annoying actually…” A small grin played across his lips at the last part. Riley smiled as well and even blushed too. Brian too has a job at the Orphanage. Nick brought him to work with him one day and introduced him to Riley. The minute the two of them met he fell in love with her. It was love at first sight for him and she secretly has a crush on him in return. The only thing standing in their way is that she’s married. Even though he want’s so badly for her to be his he respects that she’s married and the two of them are just friends. He can’t help but still have feelings for her though.


“Is that so?”


“Yup and he told me to tell you that he will be in first thing tomorrow morning to see you. He would have come with me now but he told his mom that he would stop by Kentucky to have dinner with his family on his way home. So he’s not in Florida yet.”


“Okay… I guess I can wait.” She replied and her eyes lit up with excitement. Nick noticed this and had to grin. He personally believes that Riley and Brian would be a perfect couple and if her husband wasn’t standing in the way they would be together without any hesitation at all. Brian makes her so happy.


“So anyway has any new children moved in since I’ve been gone?”


“Well…yes, but she’s not exactly in the age range that you’re used to taking care of. She’s 17 years old and just arrived three weeks ago. She’s…well, quite a challenge. She’s terrified of everyone and everything in sight. She is very stubborn and refuses to talk to anyone. She screams bloody murder whenever anyone other than myself tries to do anything with her.”


“Why is she like that?”


“It’s a long story…but I will tell you anyway because you need to know this. She lost both of her parents five years ago when she was only twelve-years-old. They were murdered right in front of her in the middle of their own living room. The only reason she survived is because she hid and they never even knew that she was there.”


“Why were they murdered?” Nick asked curiously and Riley shrugged.


“When she called the police afterward she reported it as a robbery but they didn’t take anything. They didn’t leave any prints on anything. When the police showed up they were going to put her in an orphanage or foster home but she didn’t want that. She ran away and changed her name to Jaden Olverz and dyed her hair black when it was originally brown. The police searched for her for two months and failed so they just gave up. She got a job at subway but still didn’t have a home so the owner who just happened to live upstairs from the fast food place had one extra room for her and allowed her to stay in it.”


“She wasn’t even curious in the least bit on why a twelve-year-old girl was begging for a job and didn’t have a place to stay?”


“No she was. She made her tell her the truth. She told her that if she didn’t she wouldn’t hire her or give her the room to live in. So she told her everything and begged her not to turn her in. She felt sorry for her so she took her in.”


“Oh.”


“Anyway; soon after working there for awhile she met this guy, a regular costumer ever since she started working there. They talked to each other all the time and they became very good friends. He was a 20-year-old man. The two of them became so close that he offered her to move in with him and be his roommate so she did. He promised to take good care of her. So of course she agreed.”


“And the owner of the subway just let her go? Move in with a 20-year-old man?” Nick asked dumbfounded by the whole thing.


“She begged and pleaded for her to reconsider, she told her she hardly knew the man but since she wasn’t her mother she didn’t really have much say in it. It wasn’t until after a year that she was living with him that he became abusive toward her. He went out and drank every night and did all kinds of drugs and he treated her like a slave and made her clean the house all the time. He raped her, called her names, and basically treated her like garbage. He told her that if she told anyone he would kill her so she didn’t. She kept quiet and suffered through the abuse for another year but then she couldn’t take it anymore. So while he was out she attempted to run away from him. When he got home and found her gone he was furious and went out looking for her. He found her and brought her back to the house and he beat her up until she was lying on the floor covered in blood and couldn’t move anymore because she was so sore. He threatened her that if she ever did that again he would kill her. So she never ran away from him again. Three weeks ago he almost killed her. He was forcing her to have sex with him like he usually did and she was crying and begging him to stop. He got irritated and told her if she didn’t shut up he would kill her. Well it was hurting her too much and she wouldn’t stop, so he took her out into the backyard and he made an attempt to drown her in his pool. But it was taking too long and she was struggling. So he began to bang her head against a wall. A neighbor heard screaming and looked out her window to see what’s going on and she called the police. By the time the police showed up he had already had sex with her three times, she was naked, covered in blood, unconscious, and lying at the bottom of her pool. They rushed her back here and we tried our best to save her even though we were sure she was going to die. She had lost so much blood and wasn’t breathing. We were sure she was going to die. But thank-god a miracle happened and she survived. She’s still very injured and hooked up to a bunch of machines. She won’t tell us who did this to her and she got tired of us begging her to and just stopped talking all together. She screams and cries bloody murder whenever a doctor or nurse tries to do anything to her unless I am there with her. I am the only one she trusts but I can’t always be there with her 24/7. Everyone else refuses to do it unless they have to because they can’t handle her. So I was wondering if you would do it. I think she might do best with someone who is close to her age. I believe that you can earn her trust because you have a lot of patience and you’re really good at getting people to trust you. Will you try please? I know she’s really hard to take care of so I will get Brooke to raise your pay check if you want.”


“That won’t be necessary Ri, I want to help in any way that I can. I will be her caregiver and you don’t have to pay me anything. I’m sure I can handle a challenge.” He insisted. When he heard about all of the torture this child has been through his heart dropped. How could anyone treat a child that way? How could anyone treat a human being that way? He just doesn’t understand it.


“Thanks Nick, you’re the best…you’re our only hope.”


“What’s her name?”


“Ashley Mortenson.”


“What room is she in?”


“Room 107. She’s right next to Dakota. I figured that you would want to stay close to her so I had them put Ashley right next door.”


“Okay cool. I will go see her right now then.” He replied while hugging her one last time before heading to the elevator. Just as he was about to push the button however, the elevator door opened revealing Dakota inside. She’s four years old and the youngest child in the orphanage. She’s dressed in an oversized Darth Vader t-shirt that reads ‘Revenge’ on it and used to belong to Nick. She also has on some shorts underneath it. Her light blonde hair that reaches a bit past her shoulders is pulled back into a messy ponytail and she looks like she just woke up from her nap. When Nick realized that it’s her he grinned and when she saw that it’s Nick she became overly excited.


“NICKY!” She exclaimed, before running toward him. He got down on his knees and opened his arms just on time for her to come flying into them. Everyone who was in the lobby at the time - including Riley was smiling and secretly watching them. Everyone thinks Nick is good with Dakota and would be the perfect daddy for her. They’re just waiting for the day to come when he finally adopts her. He’s been taking care of her since she was just a tiny newborn and he is the one who saved her life. Four years ago he was walking home from sound check when he heard a faint cry. Being curious on what it is he decided to investigate. The crying led him into a dark alley where it got louder. He was then able to tell that it was an infant crying. He went further into the alley and found a baby abandoned in a garbage can. She was only dressed in a diaper and didn’t have a blanket. She was crying and he knew she had to be freezing. He immediately took the baby into his arms and wrapped her in his coat and he rushed her to the first place he could think of: Ramsey, The Orphanage/Hospital for children. When he brought her in there they told him he had to wait because there weren’t any doctors available. Nick knew that if he waited any longer the baby would die of hunger and attention withdrawal. She was in that garbage can for he predicted three days and she was only three days old. He asked for a bottle, a diaper, wipes, a blanket, and a nursery and he would take care of her. So the nurse he was talking to (who just happened to be Riley) took him up to the nursery and left him alone in there and he stayed up all night trying to nurse her back to health. The next day Riley went back in there to find a healthy baby in Nick’s arms. She was extremely impressed and offered him a part time job there when he’s not touring for the Backstreet Boys. To be Dakotas full time caregiver. He was much too young to adopt her, so he had to take care of her in the orphanage. Nick took the offer and got to name the baby himself so he named her Dakota Ann. He’s loved her and taken care of ever since.


“HI baby! Ooh I’ve missed you so much!” He replied in the same enthusiasm as her and he hugged her tightly as he sat down on the floor and she returned his hug.


“I missed you too Nicky where did you go?” Dakota asked becoming serious as she tries so hard not to cry.


“I’m sorry honey I know I have been gone for a long time. But I told you that my manager scheduled an unexpected tour that the Backstreet Boys and I had to go on.”


“I thought you left me and was never going to come back just like my mommy and daddy had done…” she explained and the tears she was trying so hard to hold back escaped her eyes.


“Are you kidding me? Kota baby I would NEVER leave you the way your mommy and daddy did. I love you more than life itself and I would die before I left you and never came back. You mean the world to me, you’re my precious treasure, and I would never even think about leaving you. Not ever.” Nick reassured and he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close.


“I was lonely without you. I was scared to sleep by myself so Riley had to lay withs me till I fell asleep because you weren’t here to do it. I didn’t have any friends and I was all alone. You’re the only friend I have Nicky, all of the other kids are mean to me. Josh took my toys away from me and won’t give them back no matter how much trouble he gets in. Riley got him in trouble many times but they still pick on me. Whenever you leave they pick on me the most” She explained. Nick’s heart broke at how hurt she is over him being gone for so long. He knew he should’ve explained things before he just up and left her like that. He spoke to her on the phone, but that just wasn’t good enough. Of course it wasn’t good enough. Dakota deserves better than that. How could I be so careless? he inwardly scolded himself. He tucked a strand of her blonde hair back behind her ear and he wiped away her tears with his finger.


“I’m so sorry honey… I didn’t think. I was in such a hurry to leave that day - I had to leave right away on the same day that I heard about it so I didn’t have time. If I had a choice I wouldn’t have left you but I had to. I missed you so much and you’re all I thought about the entire time I was gone.” Dakota didn’t reply she only looked up at him sniffling. She wrapped her arms tightly around him as she rests her head against his shoulder.



“I missed you Nicky,” he began to rub his hand over her back as he kisses her forehead.


“I missed you too, but I’m home now and I’m not leaving you I promise. I will be here all day and I will sleep over tonight so you will be able to sleep. Okay?”


“Kay…” After a long moment she looked up at him, her misty blue eyes meeting with his.


“While I was gone I made it my goal to work real hard so that I could come home and be here with you and you know why?”


“Why?” she asked curiously. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a tiny velvet box.


“So that I could give you this,” he answered. He took her hand and placed the box in it, and she looked at it curiously.


“Go on, open it and see what’s inside.” She did as he said and opened it up revealing a silver charm bracelet inside and it has five charms on it. The four that are on there are a dolphin, a monkey, a unicorn, and a fairy, because those are her favorite things. The fifth one is a heart and is the biggest one on there. It says ‘I love you’ on it. Dakota whose biggest obsession is jewelry of all kinds, gasped at the sight of the bracelet in her hand. She has a jewelry box up in her room that Nick had bought her and you rarely see her without some piece of jewelry on.


“Oh Nicky…it’s pretty!” she exclaimed as she takes it out of the box and admires it. Nick beamed proudly at her words, as he is happy that she likes it.


“I bought it when I was in Paris. It’s very special and rare. You can’t find jewelry like this here in Florida. I know that you’re only four and the boys told me I was crazy for buying it for you but I knew that I just had to. I know that you will take very good care of it because you love and collect jewelry as if it’s going out of style.”


“It’s pretty Nicky and I love it.” She replied as she looks up at him.


“Each time that it’s your birthday, special occasion, or I come back from a very long tour I will have another charm for you to add to it and it will be a remembrance of how much I love you. Okay? And that way you will never forget.”


“Kay,” she replied as she managed to smile even though she wants to cry again. Every time she’s upset with him or tries to be he always has a way of cheering her up and making her feel better. He always knows the right thing to say. She again wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly and he hugged her back and kissed her forehead.


“I love you Nicky.”


“I love you too baby and I will get your toys back from Josh later, okay?”


“Kay…are you going to make him sit in the corner for being bad?” she asked him with a hopeful look in her eyes and he chuckled.


“No, not this time…but he will apologize.”


“Are you sure? Cause making him eat worms would be more funner.” She insisted.


“Oh you think so huh?” Nick asked her in amusement.


“Yes.”


“Candy worms or real worms?” he questioned, deciding to play along with her joke.


“The icky and slimy ones,” She told him with the expression like she’s eaten something sour on her face causing him to laugh hysterically.


“You’re silly Dakota,” he told her, and then he leaned down and began to give her raspberries on her neck causing her to scream and then erupt into a fit of giggles. When he stopped he lay her back in his lap as he sat Indian style on the floor and she’s straddling his lap. He placed his hands underneath her head and then leaned down and rested his forehead against hers and he stared into her blue eyes.


“As much as that would entertain you baby I don’t think making Josh eat worms is such a good idea.”


“Aww, nuts!” she sighed. The two of them were silent for a couple of minutes until she broke it.


“Nicky?”


“Hmm?”


“I’m hungry.”


“Alright well you ask Riley to get you a snack and I have to go see someone. I will come play with you later okay?”


“Is it Ashley you’re going to see?”


“Yeah how did you know?”


“I heard Riley tell Doctor Adams that she was going to see if you would be her full time caregiver. Is that true?”


“Mm hmm, that’s true.”


“Will you still have time for me?”


“Yes of course I will. I will be with Ash for a couple of hours, and then I will come check on you.”


“Kay.”


“So you go talk to Ri about that snack and I will see you later.”


“Kay,” she replied and she got up and kissed his cheek before going off in search of Riley. Nick got up from sitting on the floor and he got into the nearby elevator and began to go upstairs. When the elevator reached the floor he was getting off on he walked down the hall. When he reached room 107 he discovered that the door is wide open. Walking into Ashley’s room he found her sitting in her bed writing in her notebook. Just looking at her he can see that she’s still in so much pain. With the white tank top and her Tigger boxers that she’s wearing you can easily see the bruises and scars that are all over her body. She has a black eye, a huge scar on her forehead where the guy had been banging her head against the wall at, and she’s wearing a cast on her left arm. She is also hooked to a bunch of machines. The questions running through Nick’s mind are how? Why? How could someone even think about doing this to another person? Noticing him come in, Ashley became very terrified and put her notebook down on the nightstand. She then pulled her legs close to her chest and hugged them tight as she looked at him with a perplexed look upon her face. She knows exactly who he is. He is Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys - the man she has idolized since the beginning of Backstreet, her favorite member of the band that’s kept her sane during her entire ordeal. But does that comfort her? Not even in the least bit. He is still technically a stranger to her and he is after all, a man, and he is standing in her door way three weeks after she had been beaten and raped. Wouldn’t that scare anyone?


“Hi Ashley…my name is Nick and it’s okay you don’t have to be scared of me. I would never even think about hurting you in anyway. I’m just here to be your friend. Is that okay?” Ashley didn’t say a word. Instead, she grabbed her notepad and she began to write something down. When she finished she held it out to him and he went further into the room and took it from her. When he did he looked down at it, and it said: I don’t need friends.


“of course you do. Everyone deserves a friend. No one should ever have to be alone.” After taking back her notepad she began to write down her reply. I don’t want a friend. I don’t want to talk to you. I don’t want to talk to anyone! I just want to lay here all alone by myself here in the dark. I don’t want any food, and I don’t want to sleep. I just want to lay here until I die! When she finished she gave it back to him.


“No you don’t want to die, Ash, no matter how much you think you do. You still have a full life ahead of you. You don’t have to talk to me I won’t force you to. I won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to. I understand you’ve been forced to do things for years now. All I want is a friendship. When you’re ready to talk, if you ever want to I will be here to listen to you…always. But in the mean time there’s no rush.” Ashley looked at him with the most pissed off and annoyed look anyone has ever seen for a few moments.


“HOW could you fucking understand what I have been through? You have NO right to say that! Your life is so goddamned perfect that it’s not even funny!” she yelled, speaking for the first time.


“Oh you think my life is perfect huh? You think it’s perfect?” He asked, feeling amused that she would even believe such a thing.


“YES because you have more money than I could possibly imagine, you have a family who loves you - something I haven’t had in three years. I’ve FORGOTTEN what the feeling is like but of course mister big shot Carter would know! You travel around the world making millions of dollars and you have tons of fans crawling all over you and thinking that you’re the greatest guy in the world when really you’re not! You have no clue what I have been through! Not once has anyone ever tried to hit you, or force you to have sex with them and almost kill you! You never had to go through the experience of watching your parents murdered right in front of your eyes in the middle of your living room when there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it! All you are able to do is watch them die! When you go through all of that Nick, then maybe you will know how I feel! How it feels to be hated, to be treated like a sex slave! But you have no idea what it’s like! You can try it all you want but you will NEVER have my respect! I don’t trust anyone. Just leave me alone here to die! You can sit here all you want but don’t expect me to talk to you! You and I both know you aren’t here for friendship. You’re only here for the money and charity. That’s all it is, you’re just using me for charity! You probably want to know who did this to me right? You think you’re different from all of the doctors and nurses who tried to get it out of me? Well you AREN’T! I’m not going to tell you! I will never tell you! GO AWAY! Get the hell away from me!” She yelled.


“Ashley you have me all wrong.” He replied, his voice all gentle and sweet as he tried to take her hand but she forcefully pulled it away.


“DON’T TOUCH ME! I SAID GO AWAY! LEAVE ME ALONE!” hearing this from down the hall, Riley came running into the room.


“What is going on in here? Ashley honey what happened?”


“THAT man is trying to attack me!” Ashley yelled, pointing an accusing finger at Nick and breaking down into sobs.


“I was NOT! I was only trying to hold her hand and that’s all!” Nick replied defensively, as he watched Riley wrap her arms around Ashley and hug her tightly.


“I know Nick it’s all right. Just go wait out in the hall for me.” Nick sighed in frustration, and then he got up and left the room. After a few moments when she calmed down and relaxed, she lay Ashley in her bed and covered her up. Then she got up and went out into the hall as she has her arms crossed over her chest and a huge smirk on her face and she tried so hard not to laugh.


“I wasn’t trying to attack her Riley I swear to god. I just wanted to hold her hand and she freaked out on me.”


“I know Nick, calm down. Didn’t I warn you that she would react that way?”


“Well…yeah, but I forgot until she started screaming, and then it all came back to me.” Riley giggled and pulled him into a hug, and Nick returned it. “Well…at least I got her to talk…” Riley laughed once more and she buried her face in his chest as she did. When she had calmed down she looked up at him.


“Should I go in there and try again?”


“No not right now honey, I think you should just let her calm down.”


“Okay… I’m going to go hang out with Dakota then. Where is she at do you know by any chance?”


“Yeah she’s outside on the playground. She’s sitting in the sand box watching the kids play.”


“Okay then, I am going to go join her so that she’s not all alone.”


“That’s a good idea. She was asking me if I would ask you to do that anyway.”


“Okay and Josh is down there right?”


“Yup.”


“Okay, its operation get Dakota’s toys back time.”


“Okay well good luck with that,” She told him and Nick headed downstairs toward the playground.

Chapter Two:


The next day Nick and Brian walked into the Orphanage around 10:30 am to find Riley going through some files and she has her back turned on them. Brian smirked and motioned for everyone to be quiet. They did as he asked and he quietly snuck up behind Riley and wrapped one arm around her waist as he covers her eyes with the other hand.


“Guess who!” He spoke in a disguised voice and Riley smiled as she knows exactly who he is.


“Brian!” she replied happily and he removed his hand from covering her eyes. He wrapped her tight in his arms as he rested his chin on her shoulder. She looked up at him as she rested the back of her head against his shoulder and her grey blue eyes met with his.


“Hey beautiful…I missed you so much,” he told her and he kissed her cheek.


“I missed you too Bri-Bear, you have no idea.”


“I missed you more,” he insisted, causing her to giggle. She thinks it’s cute that he always has to compete with her even though she always wins. He then pulled out two red roses that he had bought her and had wrapped just for her, and he wrapped his arms around her again.


“I bought these for you,” he announced softly and she looked down at the roses in his hand.


“Oh Brian, they are beautiful!” she exclaimed as she looks up at him. “You didn’t have to give me these…”


“I wanted to, and they aren’t as beautiful as you are.” He told her as he stared into her eyes with so much adoration in his own. Tears streamed down her cheek as she turned around, his arms still wrapped around her.


“Brian why do you have to be so sweet?”


“It’s hard not to be sweet to a beautiful angel such as yourself. Anyone who disagrees is an asshole and doesn’t know what they’re talking about.” She looked up at him and smiled a little even though tears fell from her eyes. She rested her head against his shoulder and hugged him tight. She’s glad to have him back. She’s missed him so much. She has had no one to turn to whenever her and her husband’s fights were too much for her to handle.


“I missed you so much Bri-Bear, I hate it when you leave me. I miss having you here. It’s always hard on me when you leave but this time it was the worst.”


“I know Ri and I’m so sorry…I hate leaving you too. But I’m here now…and I’m not leaving you.”


“For how long though? How long will it be until Lou the asshole decides you’ve had enough break time and cuts it short? It seems like he is running a slave drive half the time.” Riley complained as tears slipped down her cheek. She hates Lou Pearlman with a passion and he doesn’t like her very much either. Nor is he very fond of Dakota.


“He’s not going to cut it short honey. After this concert, which is our homecoming concert the guys and I are going on a very much needed break for a couple of months. We’re still going to do small interviews and some charities here and there, but nothing too big and we aren’t leaving Florida. I plan to spend the entire break with you.” She looked up into his eyes for a couple of moments before speaking.


“But what if an unexpected tour happens again like last time?” She asked while sniffling as she tries so hard to calm down. He looked into her teary blue eyes to find so much loneliness and heartache in them. He knows that her husband hasn’t been paying much attention to her since he’s been gone, and he knows that he is the only person she can turn to when he makes her cry. He then brushed some of her hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear.


“Then I am taking you with me,” He answered softly, as he wipes away her tears.


“Honey I have work here in Florida…I can’t just leave the kids for that long and Chase would never let me go even if I could.”


“It wouldn’t hurt you any to take a vacation and have some time for yourself, Ri. You never take a break. You’re always working and you’re always taking care of children from left to right. I have never seen anyone work as hard as you do. You deserve a vacation and Chase is your husband not your boss. If you want a vacation you have every right to a vacation. Just because he likes to work for a hobby it doesn’t mean you have to as well.” Riley sighed and then wrapped her arms around Brian as she laid her head on his shoulder. He held her close to him affectionately.


“Ri, what were you looking at when we came in?” Nick questioned after a long moment of silence when he felt it was safe to change the subject.


“Files about Ashley…Brian Nick told you about Ashley right?”


“Oh yeah, are you kidding me? She is all he talked about through-out the entire meeting last night. How beautiful she was and everything…she must be pretty damn beautiful for him to be as excited as he is. I have never seen him talk about a child with so much interest before unless it was Kota.” Riley smirked at this bit of information and she turned her attention on Nick.


“Carter, are we developing a crush?”


“I don’t know, actually. All I know is that the minute I saw her I became dedicated. She may be covered in scars and bruises, but I know that underneath all of that there is a beautiful face somewhere. Even though she’s very stubborn and hates me with a passion, I know that if I don’t give up she will eventually warm up to me.” Brian chuckled as he watched his best friend swoon over the girl he had only just met yesterday.


“Does that answer your question, Ri?”


“Yes it does,” She answered while smiling in amusement.


“What kind of information do those files have?” Nick questioned curiously.


“Pretty much everything there is to know about her.”


“Can I see them?”


“Mm hmm, I was going to make you study them anyway. If you are going to win her heart - I mean trust, I suggest you get to know her first.” Riley explained and she handed the files to him. Nick rolled his eyes at her joke before he began to read through them.


“Brian, will you help me set up the tables for lunch?”


“Yes of course,” He answered while taking her hand into his.


“I will help too,” Nick replied as he puts the files into his backpack for later and he began to follow Brian and Riley to the cafeteria. On his way there though he suddenly noticed Dakota coming out of the elevator and she noticed him too as he was the first person she saw.


“NICKY!!” she exclaimed excitedly, as it was still very new to see him around the building again and she ran and flew into his arms. Nick gathered her up and hugged her close and he kissed the top of her head affectionately.


“Hi baby, did you just wake up?” he asked her as he noticed that her hair is uncombed and she is dressed in her tank top and pajama pants that he had put her to bed in last night. He also notices that her eyes still look a little sleepy.


“Yes.”


“Wow you slept late. Did you have all good dreams?”


“Yes I did.”


“Well that’s good. I was just on my way into the cafeteria to help Riley and Brian set it up for lunch.”


“Can I come with you?” she asked hopefully, as she hugs Nick close to her in fear that he will leave her. She has been very clingy with him ever since he got home yesterday.


“Yes you may,” he replied and he began to carry her into the cafeteria where Brian and Riley had gone off to. When he got in there he placed Dakota on one of the stools at the island nearby before going off and helping Brian and Riley like he said he would do.


“So Brian where is this homecoming concert taking place?” she asked, causing Nick and Brian to exchange grins.


“Some place nearby? Maybe Dakota and I will go.”


“Oh yeah it’s nearby all right…and yes, you and Kota will definitely be there” Nick answered. Riley looked up at them and saw their grins and she became very curious.


“What are you two up to?”


“The concert is here, Riley.” Brian explained.


“HERE?” Riley asked, shock written all over her face. “How did you manage that?”


“Nick did it. He arranged the entire thing. He talked Brooke into letting us do it and she agreed.”


“Why here?”


“We thought that it would be cool to give you, the other nurses, doctors, caregivers, and all of the kids a free concert. We think it’s unfair to the children that other kids who have families and homes to live in get to see all of these concerts and go to fun places like Disneyland, the park and stuff, and the kids who live here don’t have any of that. We know that it hurts them so we’ve decided to give them their night of fun. Brooke agreed to let fans come in here to see the concert too but they have to pay. It’s a charity and most of the money will be going to the orphanage so that the kids can go on more fieldtrips and stuff.” Nick explained.


“It was all Nick’s plan,” Brian added.


“At lunch we will be passing out Backstreet Boy t-shirts that Howie and I had taken to a shop and had professionally done. They each say ‘to so and so, love the Backstreet Boys’ on the back and they each have a child’s name on it. We all thought that they should have special concert shirts to wear. Tickets were only on sale for two weeks and were already sold out.” Nick explained.


“Aww…you guys are so sweet, they’re going to have so much fun.” Riley replied, as she pulls them both into a hug.


“That’s what we were aiming for,” Brian replied and he and Nick returned her hug. When they pulled away Riley looked at her watch to see that it says 11:30. She then looked at Dakota who is still sitting on the stool where Nick had left her.


“Kota honey, do you want to be Riley’s big helper again?” she asked and Dakota’s eyes suddenly lit up with excitement.


“Yeah!”


“Okay come here,” she told her and Dakota crawled down from her stool and went to Riley. Riley scooped her up into her arms.


“Do you want to help me give Ashley her medicine and make sure Doctor Johnson does okay with giving her flu shots? Ashley is afraid of needles so Doctor Johnson may need our help.”


“Yes I do.”


“But won’t Ashley snap at her and frighten her? She’s not exactly the friendliest person in the world, I don’t think it’s a very good idea for other children to be in there.” Nick questioned, suddenly worried about his baby girl. “She was pretty mean to me even, if I wasn’t prepared for it I would’ve gotten my feelings hurt.”


“She’ll be fine, her and Ashley are good friends. She had Ashley’s trust long before I did. It had only been a week that she had been staying here when she was throwing one of her usual temper tantrums and fighting with Doctor Adams as usual - She doesn’t like him at all. He for some reason really frightens her and he gets it way worse than the others do. He lost his patience with her and stormed out of the room refusing to have anything to do with her for the rest of the day. Dakota went in there while he was gone and asked her why she gets so upset all the time. Ash didn’t snap at her and began communicating with her - Ashley writing on notebook of course. When I walked in I expected her to still be alone and upset, but I found Dakota in there and Ashley calm as if nothing was wrong. Even though I was confused I decided to just go with it. She was happy that’s all that mattered. Later on that day I was looking through her files and discovered that Ashley has always loved children and used to baby sit five at a time when her parents were still alive. Dakota reminds Ashley of the past and it makes her feel comfortable having her with her. She’ll sit there and color with her and put puzzles together and she never screams or cries or picks fights with any of the doctors as long as Dakota is present. She is always so gentle and protective around her, so I started bringing her in there with me when it’s important that Ashley stays calm. I often leave her in there with her and it’s easier on everyone. Dakota is never bored and constantly asking for attention anymore and we get things done. Ashley has become my baby-sitter when you aren’t here and Dakota has become my biggest helper when it comes to keeping Ashley calm and relaxed for long hours at a time - it’s great.” Nick chuckled a bit.


“Wow Kota, maybe you should become Ashley’s caregiver instead,” He teased and she smiled very big at that.


“Nah…I don’t know how to be a caregiver but I can be your helper - Riley says I’m good at that’s.”


“Yes you are angel,” He told her proudly and he kissed her cheek.


“Well anyway Dakota, I’m sure Doctor Johnson is ready for us by now.” Riley spoke up again and she carried her toward the elevator. Once they were up on the floor that Ashley’s room is on she brought her down to room 107 and walked in to find Doctor Johnson getting ready and Ashley lying in bed with her blankets pulled over her head.


“She won’t let me touch her as usual, and she is under the covers crying.” Doctor Johnson explained to Riley when he saw her walk in. Riley who is not surprised in the least bit put Dakota down, than she went over and sat beside Ashley on the bed. She pulled down the blankets to find her looking up at her with tears falling from her eyes.


“Come here,” she told her gently and she did as she said and sat up and she allowed Riley to embrace her in a gentle hug.


“I’m going to give you your medicine all right? Then Doctor Johnson needs to give you a shot.” She explained and Ashley held onto her tightly at the mention of the last part.


“Please don’t…I don’t want one…” she sniffled.


“Honey you need one. You need your flu shot. You need a lot of shots but we won’t do them all in one day. I know your biggest fear is needles but you have to let us do this honey.”


“No…” She pleaded through endless tears.


“Yes, honey. Will it make you feel any better if I sit here and hold you while he does it?” Ashley thought for a moment and then nodded.


“Alright then…here. Cover your face and don’t even look at it. That way it won’t hurt as much.” Riley explained as she gently made her burry her face in her shoulder and she looked at Doctor Johnson who is now ready. He went and sat next to Riley, and Riley held Ashley’s arm out to him. He then did the shot and she flinched slightly and held on tight to Riley. When he finished Ashley looked up at her.


“There… that wasn’t so bad now was it?” She asked her and Ashley rested her head against her shoulder as she sat there rubbing her back. After a few moments Riley turned her attention on Dakota.


“Now you get to help Kota. Go get Ashley’s medication from Doctor J and bring it here.” Dakota smiled and did as she was told. She went to Doctor Johnson who was putting things away and he grinned down at her as he handed over Ashley’s medicine and she smiled up at him happily before going to deliver the medicine to Riley. She crawled up onto the bed next to her and handed it over.


“Here Kota, pour some into the spoon until it’s completely full” She told her and Dakota did just that being extra careful not to spill any of it. When she finished Riley turned her attention on Ashley and she gave her, her medicine, Ashley swallowing it down with a disgusted look on her face. Riley handed her a small cup of water allowing her to take a drink.


“How come Ashley has to take medicine Riley?”


“It helps her relax a little bit more honey, that’s all.”


“Oh.” Riley looked back down at Ashley, her grey blue eyes meeting with her brown ones.


“Are you hungry now? It’s lunch time. How about you come down to the cafeteria and eat today?” Ashley’s eyes suddenly lit up with excitement at this offer. Even though there’s no smile evident on her face Riley and Dakota can still tell that it’s what she really wants.


“You’re really going to let me get out of bed?” She asked softly.


“Yes, because I know how unpleasant these beds can be when you have to lay in them all day and all night long. You aren’t hooked up to those annoying machines anymore and I think that you deserve to be out of bed for awhile just like everyone else.” She explained while getting up from the bed.


“Do you think that you can try walking?” She added gently. Her attacker had hurt her so bad that she has a hard time even walking on her own right now, simply because it kills her to do so.


“I don’t know…” Ashley shrugged. Riley took a hold of Ashley’s hands and carefully helped her up from the bed. When she was standing next to her she slid her arm around her waist protectively and she began to guide her out of the room after making sure Dakota was following. Just by how much Ashley is leaning on her and that she’s carrying her more than helping her she knows it’s going to be a day or two before she will be able to really walk on her own. The evil bastard who did this to her has injured her so much and that’s still very obvious just by looking at her. She seems so fragile and broken. When they got down to the lobby however, Riley suddenly had a plan. She stopped and waited as Dakota caught up, and then with one arm she gathered her up and placed her on her left hip as she continued to guide Ashley into the cafeteria - this making it a little more challenging for her. When they were in the cafeteria just as she had hoped, Nick looked up at them as did Brian. As soon as Nick saw Riley struggling to keep Ashley up and hold Dakota all at the same time he frowned and immediately felt bad.


“Here Ri, let me help.” He immediately insisted and he rushed over to her.


“Okay you take Ash from me then please. I’m struggling to keep her up and Dakota is slipping. Ashley please let Nick take you he is not going to hurt you I promise.” Nick slid his arm around Ashley’s waist and gently pulling her away from Riley, and Ashley reluctantly leaned against him instead. She is a little surprised to see that he is still here. Why is he still here? Doesn’t he have some Backstreet Boys thing to do? Nick then began to lead her over to a table nearby and Riley beamed in satisfaction that her plan had worked. She shifted Dakota so that she is holding her better and walked off to Brian who had a curious look on his face as he watches her. He had noticed the smile on her face.


“Why do I get the feeling you planned that whole thing?” He asked her when she approached him and Riley smirked.


“Because maybe I did?” She asked and he chuckled before looking over at Nick and observing the way he is with Ashley. He pulled out a chair for her and helped her into it.


“Comfortable?” He asked her.


“Can I have a foot rest please?” She asked softly and he can hear how intimidated she is by him in her voice. Nick grabbed an extra chair from one of the stack of chairs nearby and placed it in front of her. She then lifted her feet up onto it and sat back comfortably.


“There is that better?” he asked her sweetly and she nodded.


“I’ll go fix you a plate. Is there anything that you want in particular?”


“What’s over there?”


“The three main meals are either pizza - pepperoni or cheese, Spaghetti with breadsticks, or lasagna.”


“I want lasagna with breadsticks please.”


“Okay I will be right back with that.” He told her and then walked off to the island.


“You sound like a real waiter over there, Nick” Brian complimented.


“Yeah well she’s cooperating with me and I don’t want to do anything to ruin it so I am trying to be as gentle as possible.”


“Well I have to say Nick…you weren’t kidding when you told us she is beautiful.”


“Yeah she is amazing in every single way but there is no way she is ever going to trust me enough to let me be her boyfriend.”


“Well you never know, maybe if you just keep being gentle with her and give her some time to get to know you, you might earn it.” Brian suggested. Suddenly Doctor Adams came into the cafeteria.


“Riley.”


“Yeah?”


“Its twelve-o-click. Should we let the kids in now? They’re starting to line up out here.”


“Yeah go ahead.”


“Okay.” Nick finished making Ashley’s plate, and then he brought it to her as well as a can of dr pepper. He read in her files that it is her favorite soda.


“There you go…do you need anything else?”


“No thanks…” she answered softly.


“Kay,” he replied and then was about to get himself a mountain dew when he suddenly felt a small tug on his shirt. Knowing that it’s Dakota he looked down at her smiling sweetly and she smiled up at him in return.


“Help me Nicky please? It’s crowded over there and Josh is over there and will make fun of me. Besides…I can’t reach.” She pouted.


“Of course baby,” he told her and he picked her up and brought her over to the now crowded island. He grabbed a plate and looked at her.


“What do you want to eat?”


“Same thing Ashee got’s!” She insisted, and Nick chuckled. He knows she admires Ashley very deeply.


“Okay, lasagna it is.” He began to make her plate and as soon as he did he grabbed her dr pepper.


“Where do you want to eat at?” He asked her as he looked down at her again.


“With Ashee.”


“Alright,” he replied and he brought her over to the table that Ashley is sitting at enjoying her lunch. He pulled out the chair beside her and sat her in it, kissed her forehead and then walked off to make his own plate. He grabbed a mountain dew and went to join Ashley and Dakota. When he got there he found that Brian, Riley, and Doctor Johnson are now sitting there as well and the only empty seat left is between Ashley and Dakota. It wasn’t there before so Brian or Riley must have put it there. He sat down between them.


“So when are you going to tell the kids the good news?” Riley asked the guys curiously.


“When they are done eating and just sitting there.”


“Ooh okay.” Everybody was silent for a few minutes, Nick sitting there looking at Ashley every now and then and just thinking about things.



~*~*~*~*~*~


It is now later on that day - an hour or so after lunch to be exact and the other Backstreet Boys minus Nick are all in the auditorium getting ready for tomorrow night’s concert. Earlier at lunch they had explained to the kids what was going on and why and they were of course overly excited about it. The Backstreet Boys are a favorite among the kids in the Orphanage because not only have Brian and Nick been so good to them over the past four years but there are a lot of little girls going through their teeny-bopper stages too. Brian and Nick have so many little ‘girlfriends’ around it’s hard for their co-workers not to tease them. Nick has gotten ‘married’ three times during the time he has worked there too. Suddenly Dakota walked into the auditorium and looked around only to find Brian, AJ, Howie, and Kevin in there. Howie looked at her as she walked in and grinned. Her eyes immediately landed on him and she smiled back.


“UNCLE D!!” She exclaimed happily, since this is the first time she’s seen him all day and she ran toward him flying into his open arms. He laughed and enveloped her in a hug.


“Hey Munchkin how are you?”


“I missed you so much Uncle D!”


“Aww well I’ve missed you too. What have you been up to?”


“Nothing much really.”


“Ooh.”


“Where is Nicky?” She asked him, loneliness now evident in her voice.


“He ran to the store real quick sweetie, he’ll be back.”


“Kay…” He kissed the top of her head before setting her down and she went to AJ next who was standing nearby reading over some papers. She wrapped her arms around his leg and hugged it. He looked down at her to find her baby blue eyes staring up at him as she has the sweetest little smile in the world. He smiled at her too and squatted down to her level before pulling her into a hug.


“Hey squirt! Long time no see,” He greeted her cheerfully and he kissed her cheek affectionately. She rested her head against his shoulder and hugged him back. Just as she was pulling away she turned to find Nick walk in the door. He has one red rose in one hand and a teddy bear in the other. Dakota’s eyes grew big in excitement at the sight of her number one favorite person in the entire world.


“NICKY!” She exclaimed cheerfully and ran to him. He chuckled a bit and scooped the excited child up into his arms and she threw her arms about his neck and hugged him tight.


“I missed you! Where’d you go…?”


“I went to Wal-mart real quick. Look what I got you,” He answered before showing her the teddy bear in his hand.


“Aww Nicky I love him!” She told him happily. He handed it to her and she hugged it close to her before hugging him once again. “Thank you Nicky.”


“Your welcome sweetie,” he told her lovingly as he watched her hug the bear close to her. Howie just laughed a little.


“Nick you spoil that child rotten to the core. Didn’t you just buy her a bracelet?”


“Mm hmm, I did. And my angel is not rotten, Howie.” Nick answered the last part in a very demanding tone. Howie chuckled.


“It’s just an expression buddy, calm down.” Nick smiled down at Dakota proudly and he watched her cuddle the teddy bear for a few moments while she has her head rested upon his shoulder and her thumb in her mouth. He slowly swayed to the music playing on the radio and Howie just grinned as he watched his little brother with the little girl in his arms. He knows she is Nick’s pride and joy. He knows that no one loves Dakota as much as he does and he wonders all the time why he hasn’t adopted her yet. Sure, he was too young when he found her - 16 to be exact but he’s 20 now and very much ready. Sure, Nick can be quite childish himself, but not when it comes down to taking care of Dakota. When he was 16 him and the rest of the guys questioned whether him taking on such a huge responsibility was really a great idea or not but Nick was determined to do it and already very much attached to her so they knew they couldn’t stop him. They didn’t have the heart. All they could do is trust him and he’s really proved them wrong. In fact, she has even made him mature a little bit. He still acts very childish with his pranks and Nintendo most of the time, but he’s learned when to be serious and when not to be, and that was all Dakota’s doing. He is ready to adopt her. So why hasn’t he? She already pretty much is his, after all. He just needs to make it official and give her his last name. After awhile of watching his beautiful angel, Nick came back to reality and looked at Howie.


“What has Ashley been up to since I’ve been gone? She hasn’t thrown any temper tantrums has she?”


“No because no one has gone near her. She’s just been sitting there writing in her notebook.”


“Okay,” Nick replied and he kissed Dakota’s forehead before putting her down and he walked over to the front row where he had left Ashley at earlier before going to the store. Riley had told him to bring her into the auditorium with him so he could keep an eye on her because she had some other things she had to do so he did. When he reached the front row he went and sat in the chair next to her.


“Hey sweetie, are you okay?” He asked her and she could hear the sincerity in his voice. She nodded her answer and sat there looking at him with an intimidated expression written all over her face. He knows that she is still scared of him.


“Well that’s good to hear. Let me know if you need anything okay?” she again nodded and he continued on conversationally. “Anyway, I went to Wal-mart and I came across this really beautiful red rose. I heard that you really like red roses so I thought that I would get it for you.” He explained as he showed her the rose in his hand. She looked at the rose in his hand for a couple of minutes, than she looked into his eyes to find so much gentleness in them. She slowly took the rose from him and then once again looked into his beautiful baby blue eyes.


“Thanks…” She told him softly, finally speaking to him for the first time since lunch. He smiled sweetly her in response.


“How come you are here?” She asked him softly and he raised his eyebrow curiously.


“What do you mean?” He asked her gently.


“Aren’t you a Backstreet Boy or something? I mean… I know you’re doing a concert here and stuff…but you’ve been here since yesterday. Why?”


“I know that you’re convinced I am only here for charity honey, but I’m not. I work here… I have worked her for four years now. It’s a side job when I’m not on the road with the band.”


“Why?” She asked him, and she looked at up at him curiously.


“Well because I enjoy it. I enjoy making kids happy, I enjoy being around them.” Ashley sat there quietly for a few minutes, just thinking and Nick sat there watching her closely and waiting for her next question. He is very happy that he is making such a progress with her. After a few minutes, she looked up at him again.


“You seem closer to Kota… more so then all the other children, how come?”


“Because she’s my responsibility. I have been taking care of her for four years now. I found her abandoned in a garbage can in a dark alley when she was only just a baby - three days old to be exact. She didn’t have any clothes on and was crying and going through a huge attention withdrawal. I brought her here, this place being the first place I thought of. It was a busy night here though…. And they were short of staff at the time too. Three major things were going on in the hospital area all at once demanding the attention of most of the doctors and nurses. So I was told to wait in the waiting room until there was one available. But I knew if I waited any longer Dakota wouldn’t make it. She needed to be taken care of right away. So Riley, the one nurse that was able to talk to me as she was working the front desk allowed me to go up to the nursery and take care of her. So I did and I nursed her back to health. Riley came in the next day and was surprised to find a healthy baby in my arms. She offered me a job here to be Dakota’s full time caregiver and I took the offer. I have been working here ever since.”


“And Riley has made you my caregiver now too… huh?” Ashley asked softly and Nick nodded his answer.


“Yeah she has. That’s why I came into your room yesterday. I probably should have had Riley come in with me the first time so she could introduce us…rather than me coming in myself. I didn’t think about it at the time though…I’m really sorry I frightened you.” Ashley didn’t reply, she only sat back in her seat and hugged her legs to her chest before looking down at the ground. Nick sat there looking at her for a couple of minutes, than he broke the silence between them again.


“I’m going to get back to work now sweetie. Let me know if you need anything okay?” Ashley nodded quietly and he got up and went off to do his job. Dakota who has her coloring books went and laid on the stage - but off to the side where she’s not in the way and began to color in them as she still holds her teddy bear. Ashley continued to sit there watching the guys get ready for their show and she continued to hold her rose. She watched Nick dance around onstage and no matter how scared she is she can’t help but think he is gorgeous. He has been her favorite Backstreet Boy since BSB has even started and it was kind of sweet of him to give her a rose. No one has ever done anything that sweet for her in years. She still can’t help but fear him though. She’s been hurt too many times in her life how does she know she can trust another man? After the experience she had, had with the last man she trusted she’s not sure she can trust anyone else. After a few hours of just sitting there watching she noticed Doctor Adams suddenly walk in. Knowing the reason he is in the auditorium is most likely for her, her body suddenly tensed up in fear. Doctor Adams is the one doctor she can’t stand the most among all other doctors in Ramsey. There is just something about her that really intimidates her.


“Hey Doctor Adams, what’s up?” AJ asked him with a grin.


“Hey J, not much…I just came in here to borrow Ashley for awhile. I’ve gotta take her upstairs to take her medication.”


“Ooh.”


“Yup,” Doctor Adams replied, than he started toward Ashley. Nick was now watching cautiously and so was Brian. They remember Riley telling them that Doctor Adams is Ashley’s worst enemy, and just by looking at Ashley they know she’s frightened. They know there is going to be a problem - especially Nick, who has had experience with Ashley’s tantrums.


“Nick what’s wrong?” Kevin asked as concern filled his voice.


“Ashley doesn’t like Doctor Adams.”


“How come?” Howie asked curiously.


“She’s intimidated by him….more so then all of the other doctors, nurses, and caregivers. She get’s frightened just by the very sight of him - even when he’s nowhere near her but in the same room as her.”


“Why?”


“No one knows… she won’t tell anyone.” Brian answered, and everyone looked back at Ashley as Doctor Adams approached her.

Chapter Three



“Ashley I’m going to have to bring you up to your room to take your medication. Riley is up there waiting on us.” Doctor Adams told her, trying his very hardest to be as gentle as possible. He didn’t want to do this. He didn’t want to have to be the one that came down and got her but Riley insisted that he try. He argued that he doesn’t have the patience to be dealing with her and she doesn’t like him so why does he have to do it? Riley told him he’s not even trying and if he can’t handle a challenge then what is he doing here? He has to face bigger and much more serious challenges every day yet he can’t learn to deal with a temperamental patient.


“No.” Ashley answered softly.


“Ashley it’s really important that you take your medication.”


“You will not touch me.” She replied in a more demanding tone this time.


“I’m sorry honey but I was given orders to bring you upstairs. I won’t hurt you, I promise.” He insisted, trying to be as patient as possible. He reached over to take her hand, but she yanked it away.


“NO! LEAVE ME ALONE!” She screamed suddenly, sounding as if she’s being raped all over again. She pulled her legs close to her chest and pushed herself further into her chair trying to get as far away from him as possible.


“Please cooperate with me I am not going to hurt you!” Doctor Adams begged, his voice rising slightly and this made Ashley cower more into the chair. He then made an attempt to pick her up but she only smacked his hands away.


“NO! I SAID TO LEAVE ME ALONE! GO AWAY!” She then began to cry. Doctor Adams sighed heavily.


“I really don’t have the patience for this.” He told her, than he scooped her up from the chair and held her tight as she began to cry harder and struggle against his chest to be let free.


“NO!! LEAVE ME ALONE, LET ME GO! I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING WRONG - PLEASE!” she begged and pleaded. Doctor Adams turned and headed toward the door with her but she suddenly bit his hand hard.


“OW! YOU LITTLE BRAT! THAT HURT!” He yelled at her, and then he let her go. She ran back over to the chairs and crawled underneath the one she was sitting in. She scooted back as far as she could where neither he nor anyone else could get her. She hugged her legs to her chest, buried her face in her lap, and she continued to sob as she rocked back and fourth slowly.


“I CAN’T handle this! Tell Riley that if she wants anything done with that brat then she can do it herself! I have had enough!” Doctor Adams said with so much anger evident in his voice as he turned to face Nick who still stood on the stage with the rest of the guys, and he stormed out of the room afterward. Nick sighed and then jumped down from the stage and went over to the chair that Ashley had hid herself under. He crouched down so that he could see her and she pulled herself further under at the sight of him.


“Come on honey… come out of there. Doctor Adams is gone now…it’s going to be okay.” He told her gently.


“No,” she answered while sniffling. “Leave me alone.”


“Please come out of there… I won’t hurt you I promise. The last thing I would ever do is hurt you. You can trust me honey…I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.” He insisted as he talked to her in a sweet and gentle tone. She looked up at him for a couple of minutes, looking into his gorgeous blue eyes and she can see so much love in them. She thought for a couple of minutes, than she cautiously scooted out from under the chair. He held his arms out toward her offering her a hug.


“Come here honey… I will take you up to get your medication.” She looked at him for a couple of minutes, intimidated to get too close at first but then she crawled into his arms allowing him to embrace her in a hug. He stood up and allowed her to wrap her legs around his waist and rest her head upon his shoulder, and he carried her out of the auditorium as he hugs her close protectively and rubs her back. When he was upstairs on the right floor he carried her down the hall to her bedroom and he walked in to find Riley waiting on them.


“We had a problem with Doctor Adams again.”


“Oh no…now what happened?”


“She wouldn’t let him touch her. Every time he tried to pick her up she would cry and beg for him to leave her alone. When he lost all of his patience he just picked her up and attempted to carry her out of the room but she bit him, got away, and ran and hid under the chairs. Doctor Adams was furious and said that if you want anything done with her you need to do it yourself because he’s given up. It took me awhile to convince her to come out from under the chair but when I did she let me carry her up here.” Riley sighed.


“It’s his own fault. I keep telling him that he has to be more calm when taking care of her and not so demanding but he won’t listen. It’s amazing to me that he is even a doctor sometimes.”


“Yeah, I know…I’ve come to realize while watching him with her that if he changed his tone of voice when talking to her instead of being so mean and bossy, and expecting her to just trust him right away and if he just tried to earn her trust by being gentle with her she would cooperate for him more. From my own observations I have discovered that you can’t tell her how things are going to go and expect her to be okay with it. You have to tell her what you want, and gradually get her to agree with it. Reassure her that she is safe.”


“Exactly,” Riley agreed as she got Ashley’s medicine and a spoon. Nick sat on the bed still cradling her and she again rested her head against his shoulder and slid her arms around his neck, before holding onto him tightly. She is still very shaken up from earlier. Riley went and sat on the bed next to Nick and she poured the medicine into the spoon and she offered it to her. Ashley opened her mouth allowing her to put the spoon in and she swallowed it down, immediately making a face. Riley handed her a cup of water and she took a drink to get rid of the taste.


“At least she is starting to trust me now. I still have to promise her that I won’t hurt her a few times and beg her to let me hold her but it’s progress. Her and I had an entire conversation earlier even.”


“Yeah and her trust in you is a little more important than Doctor Adams right now because I would really like you to start being with her more.”


“Well, like I promised her from the very beginning - I’m not going anywhere.” He replied as he looked down at Ashley to find her looking up at him in return with an unsure look in her eyes. Every time someone promises her that they aren’t going anywhere, or that they will take care of her and never let anything happen to her, they always do end up leaving. The man who promised he would take care of her first ended up being abusive and nearly killing her. Both of her parents promised that they would always be there for her - they promised. She remembers the exact day like it was just yesterday. It was the day after Kori had run away and she was crying in her room with the door locked refusing to come out. When they finally got in she asked them if they were going to leave her too. She told them that they were all she had left and she was scared of losing them too. They reassured her over and over again that they weren’t going anywhere. So much for that…and as for her sister…she’s pretty much gotten over the upset stage. Now she’s just bitter. She can’t even count how many times since then that she’s been angry with her. How could she leave? How could she just let her parents die and how could she just let her little sister suffer it alone? All she knows is that if she ever saw her again she would be very angry with her.


“I know you don’t fully trust me honey, I know right now you’re feeling very faithless… and I understand that. But I just want you to know that I will always be here if you need someone to run to. I will be here if you need someone to just hold you and tell you that everything is going to be okay. I always will be. It doesn’t matter what time it is or what I’m doing. You tell Riley and she’ll call me and I will be down here as soon as I possibly can. I promise to god that I will always be here for you.” Nick explained as he pushes some hair that is in her face to the side, and he tucked it behind her ear. Ashley looked into his eyes for a few moments not saying a word, than she crawled out of his lap and over to her pillow where she laid down and she began to just stare at the wall. Nick and Riley both remained silent as they watched her and they both noticed the tears falling from her eyes. Nick pulled her blanket up on her and leaned down and kissed her cheek, than he got up and left the room with Riley following him. She shut the door behind them and Ashley listened as they talked quietly out in the hall.


“Will she be okay?” Nick asked quietly.


“She’ll be fine…she’s just overly tired and all worked up from the Doctor Adams incident. A little nap before dinner might be good for her.”


“Okay… then I’m going to go back down and continue sound check.”

“Alright I will come with you,” she replied and she followed Nick downstairs to the first floor and into the auditorium. Once they were in there all of the guys looked at them.


“Where is she? Is she okay?” Howie asked, as concern filled his voice. The rest of the guys were also waiting for an answer. After watching how frightened and stubborn she is, and after seeing how fragile she is they immediately became dedicated. They too want to help out in any way that they can.


“She is upstairs resting. She’s gotten herself all worked up over earlier’s incident. She is very tired.” Nick explained.


“Oh okay.” Suddenly Nick felt a tug on his shirt. He looked down to find Dakota standing there looking up at him. She reached up to him wanting to be held and he picked her up. She rested her head against his shoulder and hugged him tightly as she too looks exhausted.


“Hi baby…you are about ready for a nap too huh?” Dakota shook her head stubbornly.


“No naps.” she protested and scowled. “Just wanna be held.” Nick looked into her tired blue eyes for a couple of minutes, than he followed the rest of the guys up onstage as he gently rubbed her back. Brian hugged Riley real quick and then followed and the guys continued their sound check for another couple of hours. Nick held Dakota as he does and just as he expected she soon fell asleep. As Riley sat in the front row just relaxing after working all afternoon, her cell phone suddenly rang. She pulled it out of her pocket and looked at the caller ID and she raised her eyebrow as she saw that it reads “Chase” on it. Why in the world is her husband calling her? He never calls her in the middle of work. In fact, she’s lucky if she even gets a call from him at all lately. Curious, she turned it on and placed it to her ear.


“Hello?” She asked into the phone.


“Hey babe, it’s me Chase.”


“Hey…what’s up?”


“Nothing…much,” he answered, pausing between words. “I just called to see what you’re up to - that’s all.” He answered and Riley raised her eyebrow once again, only this time in suspicion. For one, her husband never calls her up just to see what she is doing and two; he is choosing his words very carefully. What is going on?


“Well I’m at work like you are…and I’m in the middle of taking a break. I have been taking care of kids all day.”


“Oh. Well that’s cool…very cool.”


“Yeah…what about you? Since when do you call me in the middle of work to ask me what I’m doing?”


“Well…I kind of wanted to tell you something important…” he began.


“Like what?” Riley questioned, becoming slightly worried. Chase was silent for a couple of minutes on the other end.


“Chase? Are you there?”


“Um…yeah I’m here.”


“Honey what’s going on?”


“Well…um…there’s no easy way for me to tell you this, so I’m just going to come right out and say it. I’m not going to be able to make it to dinner tonight.”


“What? What do you mean you’re not going to be able to make it??” Riley asked, raising her voice slightly and this got the attention of Brian. He stopped in mid dance steps and looked at her, AJ nearly bumping into him as he did.


“Shit Bri what the fu-”


“-But Chase you promised!”


“I know I promised baby, but I need to go out of town for a few days - like a week. I have a business thing in Paris that I have to attend.”


“You always have some business thing to attend! When do I get a chance to spend time with you and when am I going to be important to you?”


“Ri, you have always been important to me.”


“Yeah? Well you sure have a funny way of showing it.” Chase sighed heavily.


“Look Riley, it’s not my fault my boss scheduled a meeting in Paris. If I had it my way I would be home by dinner tonight and we would have a candlelit dinner just the two of us like we planned. But it just doesn’t work out that way and I am sorry. What do you want me to do? Quit? Then who would pay the bills and bring all of the money home?”


“You’re not the only one who works and brings home the money, Chase. I work too, I love my job too, but at least I make it home to spend time with my husband and not constantly break promises that I make.”


“Oh don’t give me that bullshit Riley. You’re gone just as much as I am. You have been at that Orphanage for three days now and I haven’t seen you since.”


“Because I am used to you being gone and working all the time! What is the point of coming home when there is nothing to come home to? You’re gone all day, don’t come home till 2:30 in the morning and then go straight to bed and I don’t even see you the next day before work. It gets pretty lonely. So yeah, I’m sorry if I prefer to stay where I have company!”


“Yeah, I’m sure that Backstreet Fag is great company, right Riley? Is that why you love being there so much?”


“Don’t you dare bring Brian into this! You know damn straight that I have loved this job LONG before he started working here. You know this job is my pride and joy. It is the ONLY place that I can go to escape that empty house that I sit in day after day!” Riley replied, suddenly breaking down into tears. “And if that was an accusation of cheating Chase then you’re VERY much mistaken, because I would NEVER cheat on you. I love how much trust you have in me, I really do.”


“Whatever Riley. Then we won’t have a problem will we? You can hide away at that orphanage of yours the entire time. You won’t even know that I am gone.” Chase replied, and then he hung up. Riley turned her phone off and angrily shoved it into her pocket and she stood up.


“Riley are you okay?” Brian asked gently. Riley looked at him to find all five guys standing there watching her worriedly.


“Fine, I’m fine…I’m just…I’m going back to work. I have been on a break for way too long.” Riley answered, and she turned and quickly walked out of the room before anyone had the chance to stop her. Brian sighed and then hopped off the stage and hurried after her. He glanced quickly around the lobby for her and found her going furiously through the papers on her desk and co-workers looking at her worriedly.


“Riley…are you okay?” Doctor Johnson asked worriedly.


“Yeah I’m fine. I’m just having a hard time finding the file I want…” she lied and Brian shook his head before heading over to her. When he got over to her she looked up at him momentarily but then went back to what she is doing.


“What are you doing?” He asked her.


“What does it look like I’m doing?”


“It looks like you’re trying your very hardest not to have a breakdown.”


“I’m fine Brian. Just leave me alone. Don’t you have a sound check to finish?”


“The guys will manage without me. We’re nearly done anyway.” Riley didn’t reply, she only continued to angrily go through papers, getting more and more frustrated by the minute that she couldn’t find the paper that she wanted.


“Riley, stop it.” Brian pleaded. When she didn’t listen he became even more worried about her then he already was. “Riley STOP it. Calm down!” He told her, sounding much more firm then before and he took her hands in his to stop her only to have them shoved away.


“LEAVE me alone Brian. Just go okay?”


“No I will NOT leave you alone!”


“Well why the hell not?? Chase does it!” Riley yelled.


“Well if you haven’t noticed honey, I’M NOT CHASE!” He yelled back and she stopped what she was doing and looked at him. She opened her mouth to say something, but then stopped. “I’m Brian and I care about you and I want to know what the bastard has done now to upset you!”


“He broke his promise to me okay? Satisfied now? Now leave me alone. Please...” She pleaded, looking at him with eyes full of tears and she turned back to her desk. Brian sighed and then slid his arms around her waist as he moved behind her and he rested his chin on her shoulder. He then took her hands preventing her from going through anymore papers and he intertwined his fingers with hers.


“What promise honey?”


“He told me this morning that we would have a candlelit dinner tonight…had me all excited because it would’ve been the first thing we’ve done together in weeks. But then just now he called me and told me that we wouldn’t be able to because he has to go out of town for a week. He has a business meeting in Paris to attend. And like you just witnessed…we got into a huge fight over the phone.” Brian turned Riley around to face him and once again wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her close and he brushed a strand of her hair out of her face pushing it back behind her ear as he gazes into her stormy blue eyes.


“Honey how long are you going to put up with this? How long are you going to let him break promises like this and hurt you? You don’t deserve this.”


“He’s my husband Brian…” Riley started.


“Yeah so…? He doesn’t act like it.”


“Brian, stop…”


“Stop what? Being right? Worrying about my best friend?”


"Stop trying to make me do something I'm not ready to do."


"What am I trying to make you do, Riley? Other than see you've an asshole for a husband?"


"Just because you think he's an asshole, doesn't mean I don't still love him, Brian! You may be my best friend, but you're not my husband!" Brian looked at her partially shocked, and partially hurt.

"Fine, I'll drop it. But only because you are my best friend and I care about you and don't want to upset you even more." He told her, and then he pulled away from her and walked away disappearing in the auditorium. Riley sighed out of frustration and she kicked the drawer she was going through earlier closed and wiped the tears that had clouded up in her eyes and were threatening to fall. She will not let herself cry. Not in front of everybody. She has to stay tough for the kids. When the tears had gone away she headed toward the elevator deciding that she would check on Ashley.


~*~*~*~*~


Later on that night - 10:30 to be exact Ashley lay in bed asleep. Ever since Nick had carried her back upstairs after dinner she had fallen asleep and remained that way ever since. Suddenly hearing the angry thunder outside as it is storming like mad out there, she opened her eyes just on time to see a flash of lightning light up the entire sky. As it did she saw the man who had nearly stole her life standing at the foot of her bed. Her whole body tensed in fear as she stared at him and he stared back at her with so much hatred in his eyes.


“W-wh-at are you doing here?” She asked him, struggling to get her words out.


“You told them that I did this to you. Didn’t you?” he accused her.


“No I didn’t! I swear to god that I didn’t tell anyone. They’ve asked but I refused to tell them I swear!”


“You’re lying to me.”


“No I am not! I swear on my life that I didn’t tell!”


“Do you know what happens when you swear on your life and you’re not telling the truth?” He asked her and she could hear that familiar dangerous tone in his voice.


“Please leave me alone… I didn’t tell them I promise…” She begged and she began to cry. He stared at her for a couple of minutes, and then he crawled on top of the bed and moved so that he is straddling her hips and she could no longer move.


“Please…I didn’t do anything wrong I swear I didn’t.” She continued her helpless pleads to be left alone and she looked up at him scared beyond belief. He pulled a knife from his pocket suddenly, and he placed it at her neck.


“Swear on your mother and father’s grave that you didn’t tell or I will kill you now since I failed to do so the first time. And believe me… I WILL succeed.” Ashley didn’t say a word. She only lay there staring up at him and all she could do was cry.


“NOW!”


“Leave me the fuck alone you stupid bastard or so help me god I will scream.” She threatened him.


“Oh go ahead honey, scream. I dare you to. You can scream as much as you want but the door is locked and nobody can get in. By the time they do this knife will have already slit your throat and you will be dead. So go right on ahead and do it. I dare you to scream.” When the strange man got no response out of her except more fear he smirked.


“That’s what I thought. Now do what I told you to do. Swear on your mother and father’s grave that you didn’t tell anyone.”


“I swear…”


“On what?” he asked her as he pushes the blade lightly into her neck making a little cut on it and blood drip out. She cried out in shrill pain.


“I swear on my mother and father’s grave that I didn’t tell!” she yelled as she cried harder than she already was. He looked into her watery brown eyes for a couple of minutes and when he knew that she was telling the truth he put the knife back into his pocket.


“Good. See that you don’t tell anyone because the minute you do I will find out and come back to kill you. Understood?” He asked her firmly. She nodded her response and whimpered some as he looked down at her with that dangerous look in his eyes. He then suddenly smacked her hard in the face before yanking her from the bed and throwing her against the wall. She cried out in agony and he went over to her once more and smacked her again only ten times harder then before making blood spill from her nose. He kicked her repeatedly as she lay there wailing. Suddenly hearing her screams from next door Nick jumped up from lying in bed with Dakota as they were in the middle of watching The Little Mermaid together and he ran out of the room and next door to Ashley’s. He tried the knob only to discover that it’s locked. He then began to bang on it.


“Ashley honey what’s the matter?!” he yelled through the door. “Why are you screaming baby and why is the door locked? Let me in!” He yelled through the door. Brian who had followed Nick into the hall began to bang on it as well.


“Ashley what is going on sweetie? Open the door!” he yelled through the door too trying to help Nick out and the both of them are very scared. Hearing Ashley’s screams from all the way down the hall, Riley, Doctor Johnson, and Doctor Adams suddenly came running out of a room and rushed down the hall to Ashley’s closed door.


“What is going on? Why is she screaming?!”


“We don’t know but her door is locked and she won’t let us in!” Nick explained before going back to banging incessantly on the door. “Ashley honey open the door, NOW!” he yelled.


“Riley don’t you have a key?” Brian asked impatiently.


“Not on me because her door is usually left open!” Hearing all of the yelling and banging on the door confused and terrified children suddenly started coming out of their rooms.


“What’s going on?” Josh who is across the hall asked. Doctor Adams who seemed to be the only one out of the five adults standing there in the hallway who was able to stay calm in the situation turned to see all of the kids in the hall peeking from their rooms.


“Go back into your rooms children, let the grownups handle this.” He told them and all of the kids reluctantly did as they were told. Suddenly they heard the voice of the man that is attacking Ashley but they can’t make out what he is saying.


“Someone is in there with her!” Nick who was first to hear him insisted. “We need a key RIGHT now! Someone find a key hurry! She is being attacked!” Doctor Johnson who has keys to just about everything pulled them all out of his pocket and began to go through all of the labeled ones hoping to god he has the one to Ashley‘s room. His hands shaking in panic as he did and Riley began to help him. After a couple of minutes had gone by when they had finally found the right key, the screaming in Ashley’s room had stopped. Doctor Johnson hurried and unlocked the door and when he did he opened it up and they rushed in to find Ashley lying on the floor in the corner of her room without any clothes on and she is still crying. She is just covered in blood and so is the walls and floor around her. The window is wide open where the man had snuck in and out of and the storm is still raging hard outside.


“Holy shit…” Doctor Johnson cursed under his breath.


“Oh god Ashley…” Riley added softly and she went over to her as did Nick.


“It’s going to be okay honey… we’re going to clean you up. You’re going to be alright.” Riley soothed, as she sat on the floor and gently embraced her with a hug. Ashley wrapped her arms around her in return and she cried into her shoulder.


“Here Ri…let me take her to her bed.” Nick spoke up after a few moments. Riley pulled away from her and Nick went to scoop her up into his arms but she screamed and shoved him away.


“LEAVE ME ALONE! DON’T TOUCH ME!” she shouted at him and she began to sob all over again.


“Ashley, it’s just me. I’m not going to hurt you I promise. I just want to lay you in bed. I won’t hurt you…you know that I won’t hurt you.” Nick insisted gently and he crouched down to her level.


“No! No! Leave me alone! DON’T touch me!” She begged and she scooted into the near by corner of the room and hugged her legs to her chest as she looked at him frightened.


“Honey please… you know that I won’t hurt you.” Nick continued, his gentle tone never leaving him and he remained patient. He scooted closer to her but made sure to leave a reasonable distance between them and he offered her his arms.


“Come here…please? I just want to help. You don’t want to stay in that corner all night do you sweetie? Don’t you want to get in bed where it’s more comfortable for you?” She looked at him for a couple of minutes just sniffling, then after thinking about it for a while she held her arms out to him. He scooted closer and he carefully pulled her into his arms cradling her. She slid her arms around his neck and held onto him tight as she buried her face into his neck and she continued her crying.


“Brian hand me her blanket please.” Doing as Nick requested Brian grabbed the blanket off of Ashley’s bed and he handed it to Nick. Nick wrapped her in it and continued to cradle her in his arms. She whimpered into his shoulder and held onto him tightly.


“Shhh…you’re okay. It’s going to be okay I promise. I’m right here…and I’m not going to let anything harm you again. I promise.” He told her softly. After awhile when he had her calmed down again he looked at Riley.


“We need to clean her up Ri. She is covered in blood and she is in so much pain.” Riley looked at Doctor Johnson and Doctor Adams.


“Let Doctor Johnson handle it. You know she won’t let me near her,” Doctor Adams insisted and he walked out of the room.


“I can do it if someone will just give me the stuff” Riley offered. Doctor Johnson nodded and went to the counter. He got all of the stuff that Riley will need and he brought it over to the nightstand next to the bed and he sat it down.


“Come lay her in bed Nick.” Doing as Doctor Johnson said Nick got up still cradling her and he went and sat on the bed after laying her down on it. Riley got up as well and followed him over there. When he saw that Nick and Riley had things under control again he left the room. Nick who noticed Dakota standing in the doorway watching a long time ago finally looked at her.


“Kota baby…be a good girl and go watch Little Mermaid for me okay? I will be right in there as soon as I can to tuck you in and sing you to sleep.”


“Kay…” She replied softly and she turned and went back into the room that she shares with Nick. When she was gone Nick turned his attention back on Ashley’s situation. He looked at Riley wondering what he should do.

“Go get her clothes from the dresser for me okay?” Nick nodded and he got up and went to the dresser and he got out one of her tank tops, panties, and pajama pants and he went back over and sat next to her as she took care of Ashley. He placed the clothes on the nightstand.


“I’ve got everything under control for now Nick, why don’t you go put Dakota to bed?” She offered after noticing Ashley looking at Nick nervously.


“What time is it?”


“11:00.”


“Okay and if you need me to, as soon as Dakota is asleep I will come back in here and help you some more.”


“Okay thanks.” Nick nodded and then got up and went back into his and Dakota’s room where he found Brian in there watching The Little Mermaid with her. Nick sat and watched the end too and when it was over Brian and Dakota looked at him.


“Is she gonna be okay?” Dakota asked softly, her eyes full of concern for her new friend. Brian also looked at Nick curiously as he too wants to know the answer.


“She’s fine. She is going to be all bruised up by tomorrow - more so then usual and ten times more frightened then before, but other than that she will be okay.


“Good,” Brian replied and Nick nodded and looked at Dakota.


“Anyway Dakota you need to get in bed. It’s your bed time.”


“I don’t wanna…” Dakota pouted.


“Come on sweetie you have to.” Nick insisted, than he picked her up from sitting in Brian’s lap and he playfully dropped her into bed sending her though fits of laughter. He smirked and covered her up before sitting next to her and he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. He gazed into her blue eyes for a few minutes as he combs his fingers through her hair and she looked up at him in return with so much love in her eyes.


“Are you ready for the concert tomorrow?” He suddenly asked.


“Yes I am,” She told him excitedly.

“Good because I have something special planned for you.” Dakota raised her eyebrow in curiosity.


“What is it?” she asked him anxiously and Nick chuckled.


“Now if I told you that it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?”


“I could act surprised!” She insisted and Brian laughed a little as he sat there watching the two of them.


“Yes I know you can baby but I think you would enjoy it more if you just wait until tomorrow.”


“Okay…fine.” she sighed. He smiled down at her and then once again kissed her forehead. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight.


“I love you Nicky.”


“I love you too sweetheart.”


“Are you gonna sing to me before I go to sleep?”


“Mm hmm of course. What would you like me to sing?” Dakota thought about it for a while, looking as if she’s thinking real hard.


“Our song!”


“Okay, our song it is,” Dakota beamed happily as she is very excited to hear him sing their song. It has been a very long time. “Brian help me out here okay?”


“Sure thing,” Brian agreed and the two men began to sing the song Anywhere For You to the sleepy four year old who tried her very hardest to stifle a yawn. By the time they had finished singing Dakota was asleep. Nick made sure she was still tucked in, than he got up and walked out of the room with Brian close behind him and he turned the light off and shut the door just a crack. They then went next door to Ashley’s room to find her now dressed and lying comfortably in her bed again and Riley was in the middle of closing her window and locking it.


“This window stays shut and locked unless someone is in here with you from now on Ash, okay?” Ashley nodded her head quietly in response and Nick went and sat next to her on her bed.


“How are you doing?” He asked her softly as he took her hand into his and gently rubbed it with his finger. “Are you feeling any better?” She again nodded her head in response.


“May I have a hug?” He asked her as he holds his arms out to her. She looked at him skeptically for a few moments but then eventually gave in and scooted into his arms closing the space that was between them. She figures if he was going to hurt her he would’ve done it already. He also wouldn’t have been as eager as he was to get into her room earlier either. He grinned and carefully wrapped his arms around her in return and he embraced her with a hug. The minute she was in his arms it hit her: she doesn’t ever want to leave them. For some odd reason she feels safe where she is and she knows that he won’t do anything to hurt her. She rested her head against his shoulder and she closed her eyes as he rubbed his hand over her back in a slow circular motion.


“You’re so sweet and fragile…I don’t see why anyone would do this to you.” He told her softly in her ear.


“It’s because he was always drunk off his ass…that’s why. And on a lot of drugs…” She told him quietly, causing him to look down at her curiously. Riley and Brian who were quietly talking over by the window (for the first time all day since their little argument - unless it was business talk) looked at her as well. This is the first time she’s ever spoken about him.


“Why was he drunk sweetie? Can you tell me why he drank?” Nick encouraged as he tucks a strand of her hair back behind her ear and he sat there playing with her hair.


“It’s because he lost a close friend in a car accident…he’s been depressed ever since. He also told me that it relaxes him because I make him so fucking angry all the time. Those were his exact words…”


“What was the name of this friend that he was dwelling over? Did you know his friend?” Nick questioned after seeing Riley quietly telling him to persist as she and Brian stood behind Ashley and listened carefully.


“His name was Thomas…”


“What was his last name?”


“O’Ryan…”


“Did you know any of his other friends?”


“Yes…because they were over at the house all the time. They were just as horrible and abusive as he was and they would beat me all the time. It was a game of theirs…”


“What were their names?” Ashley looked at him just thinking about his question for awhile as she remembered all of the threats they made if she ever told anyone the things they did to her.


“Ashley? It’s okay honey… please tell me what their names were.”


“I…I…can’t!” she replied and she began to cry. He looked at her with a desperate look on his face for a couple of minutes, than he sighed and pulled her into another gentle hug.


“Okay, okay…shhh…you don’t have to.” He reassured her.


“Can you tell me who did this to you?”


“NO! No I can’t…” She sobbed and that same look of terror that he saw when they had finally broken into her room earlier was now evident in her eyes once again.


“Come on Ashley… please tell us. It’s really important that we know. If you tell us we could have the man arrested and he would never be able to do this to you or anyone else ever again.” Riley pleaded just as Doctor Adams appeared in the doorway. Ashley looked up at him as he was standing there looking at her and she cowered into Nick’s chest and whimpered.


“No…I can’t…” she insisted and she held onto Nick even tighter than before. Nick, Brian, and Riley all looked at Doctor Adams.


“What’s up Doctor Adams?” Riley asked curiously.


“Brooke wants to talk to you…all three of you. She wants to know what’s going on.”


“No…Nick please don’t leave me in here all alone.”


“Ri cover for me…please? Ashley needs me.”


“Brooke said that it was important that she talks to all three of you.” Doctor Adams replied.


“Well what about you? You were here for the incident too.” Nick asked suspiciously.


“I’ve already spoken to her.”


“Oh…” Nick thought about it for a couple of minutes, than he looked down at Ashley.


“I will be right back I promise.”


“Nick…no…please.”


“Honey I have to. Brooke is my boss and if I don’t listen to her I could get fired and then I wouldn’t be able to stay and protect you.”


“But I’m scared…I don’t want you to leave me.”


“I know, but I will hurry back I promise. Here… you lay down and watch some Television. I will go talk to Brooke and then I will come back and lay with you. How does that sound?” he asked her and he lay her down in the bed and covered her up before grabbing the remote and turning on the TV.


“What channel?”


“Disney…” she sniffled. He turned the channel to Disney and kissed the top of her head before getting up and following Riley and Brian out of the room. When they were gone Doctor Adams turned and looked in at Ashley and she looked at him as she clutched the blanket close to her. He looked at her with a not-so-very-friendly expression on his face before turning around and walking away.

Chapter Four:


It took a half n hour before Nick finished talking to Brooke and when he did he went straight upstairs to be with Ashley again like he had promised her. He walked into her room to find her lying in bed face down in the pillow and she has her blanket pulled up and over her head. He went over and sat next to her and he pulled the blanket down to find her looking up at him cautiously. When she saw that it was only Nick she relaxed.


“Hey you…are you okay?” he asked her gently and she shook her head in response as a lone tear escaped her eyes and rolled down her cheek. “Do you trust me enough to lay with you?” Ashley nodded once more and held the blanket up allowing him to crawl under the covers with her. When he did he wrapped his arm around her as she laid her head against his shoulder and he rolled over onto his side so he is facing her. “What’s the matter?” he asked her gently, as he lay there playing with her hair and even more tears rolled down her cheek. “Will you tell me? Whatever it is that’s bothering you I could put a stop to it…but only if you tell me. I can’t help you honey if I don’t know what’s going on.” She looked into his sincere blue eyes for a few moments not knowing what to do. Should she tell him what’s on her mind? What if she says the wrong thing and she gets in trouble for being bad? That always seems to happen to her. She always says the wrong thing and then she gets punished for it. She thought long and hard for a few minutes before saying anything and he lay there patiently watching her.


“Doctor Adams scares me…” she told him finally after a long while, her voice so quiet it’s amazing he even heard her at all. “I know he does sweetie…but if you told us why we would be able to help you better.” Ashley didn’t reply. She only lay there looking at him. “Is he mean to you when he talks to you?” he asked her, hoping to maybe guess what’s going on as he’s noticed he’s not going to get very much out of her. “Does the tone in his voice scare you?” She nodded her answer. “What else about him frightens you? There’s gotta be more seeing as how you cling to us every time he enters the room.”


“He gives me icy glares every time he looks at me…like I had done something wrong. I don’t mean to be bad, I don’t mean to make people want to punish me, and I don’t mean to make Doctor Adams hate me. Maybe if I wasn’t so stupid and worthless people wouldn’t punish me so much. Maybe if I was never born my parents wouldn’t be dead…it’s my fault that they’re dead!” She explained, as she broke down into tears. Nick wrapped both arms around her and pulled her close and she buried her face into his chest and began to cry harder. She just knows she has said too much. Now Doctor Adams is going to hate her even more she just knows it. He lay there gently rubbing her back and not saying a word, just letting her cry. After a long while when she had calmed down and was just sniffling she looked up at him to find him already looking down at her as her head is rested against his chest.


“Honey you aren’t stupid and worthless…and it definitely isn’t your fault that your parents are dead. Don’t you EVER believe that you hear me? Because it’s not true. Don’t you ever let those stupid bastard’s words of poison get to you like that.” He demanded lightly as he looked into her teary brown eyes with so much seriousness in his own. “You’re a very smart person and you’re not worthless. There are so many people in this orphanage that care about you and want to be your friend. You just have to let them. You’re not worthless to me…and I will never stop caring about you either. I will always be here for you… just like I am here for Dakota.”



“That’s what everyone tells me…everyone promises me that they won’t stop caring about me and will always be here for me. My parents…the man who did this to me…I have heard it all before.”


“I know you don’t believe me…I know that you have been hurt so many times that you’ve lost your faith in people. But I promise you that I am not like the man who did this to you. I will be here for you every single day - unless I have a tour to go on but that won’t be for a long time. I am here for you…always. It’s okay if you don’t believe me or trust me but I know that in time you will. I will give you all the time in the world. There is nothing that can change how much I care about you. If you will give me a chance I want to be your friend. Someone you can always turn to. Will you trust me? Forget this caregiver shit I just want to be your friend.” She looked at him for a couple of minutes just thinking about her answer.


“I let you lay in bed with me didn’t I? I don’t know how much more trust I could give you…” She answered and she couldn’t help but smile a little bit. This caused him to smile too and he pulled her closer to him.


“You have a very beautiful smile…you should use it more often.” Hearing this compliment from him made Ashley’s heart melt. No one has ever said anything like that to her before. He caught a falling tear from her cheek and gently wiped it away before kissing her forehead softly. “I will tell Riley what you’ve told me about Doctor Adams and she will take care of it. Okay? Everything’s going to be fine.”


“Kay…” She replied softly, and he lay there rubbing his hand over her back in a slow circular motion as he watched her and wondered what was on her mind. With all the secrets she keeps, and considering how quiet she is a lot of the time he knows there has got to be a lot of things bottled up inside her. He just wishes he could get inside her brain - even if it were just for a little while so he could figure out just what was going on. Suddenly Riley and Brian walked into the room hand in hand and Nick and Ashley looked at them as they did. Nick couldn’t help but smile a little bit as he saw his two friends holding hands. It bothered him so much that the two of them were avoiding each other earlier. It’s just not the same when Riley and Brian aren’t getting along.


“Hey Ri and Bri…what’s up?” Nick greeted them happily.


“Hey,” they both replied as they sat next to Ashley and Nick on the bed.


“How are you doing Ashley?” Riley asked dutifully as she allowed Brian to wrap his arms around her from behind. She leaned back against him, resting the back of her head against his shoulder and he hugged her tight. Nick can tell just by looking at them that they had only just made up not too long before coming into the room.


“Better…” Ashley answered and she looked up at Nick causing him to look back down at her in return and he remembered the promise he had made to tell Riley about Doctor Adams.


“That’s good.”


“Riley Ashley told me something very important about Doctor Adams earlier and I think that it should be taken care of right away.”


“What?” Riley asked curiously and she suddenly pulled away from Brian’s embrace but he kept a hold of her hand and gently rubbed his finger over the back of it. “He not only talks to her in an unfriendly and pushy tone but whenever no one is around and it’s just her, he gives her icy glares like she had done something wrong. That’s why he scares her.”


“Why would he glare at you honey? Doctor Adams is a nice man.”


“Obviously he’s not a nice man to her Ri,” Nick answered for Ashley. “Not when she clings to me the way she does every time he comes near her. Something isn’t right.”


“How do you know Nick? She’s scared of everybody…she clings to me whenever anyone comes near her. She was raped that’s how rape victims are. It could just be her being paranoid.” Riley suggested, not wanting to believe that something was up with Doctor Adams. There couldn’t be. She has known him long before Ashley even arrived at Ramsey and he’s done nothing but great things. Besides…he is after all a doctor and he was one of the many doctors who helped save Ashley. It just doesn’t make sense to her.


“So you’re saying that she is a liar?” Nick asked, not believing that he is hearing her right and slowly becoming irritated with his friend.


“No…I’m just saying that maybe we shouldn’t jump into conclusions. Doctor Adams is a Doctor Nick. He wouldn’t hurt a fly…he’s saved so many lives including Ashley’s. I have known him long before Ashley arrived and I know he wouldn’t hurt anybody.”


“Well maybe you aren’t seeing the bigger picture.”


“I work with him every single day, Nick. He is my co-worker and I see him all the time. I think I would know if something was up with him.”


“You can’t be with him all the time, Ri. Who knows what things he could be doing behind your back?” Riley was silent for a couple of minutes. He had gotten her there. Now that she thinks about it, she hadn’t really seen him at all that day except for at lunch, and when she had paged him and told him to come see her. That was when she asked him to go get Ashley and bring her up for her medication. Other than that she hasn’t seen him all day.


“Look Riley…all I’m asking is that you look into it. He really scares Ashley… doesn’t it make you suspicious in the least bit? Sure, she’s scared of everybody but even you said that he gets it the worst. Think about it. All I know is…the way she was holding onto me earlier when he came into the room, it was like she was holding onto me for dear life in fear that a tornado was going to rip her from my arms and suck her up. Have you ever felt her cling to you like that before?”


“Only when he’s in the room…” Riley admitted softly.


“Well then see? I really don’t think we should just shrug it off like its nothing.”


“Well what do you want me to do about it Nick? Walk right up to him and say ‘are you purposely trying to scare Ashley?’ sure that would be a very cheery conversation. What if he’s not? Then I would feel stupid and I would feel bad for accusing a good friend of something he didn’t do.”


“I know you have a good relationship with Doctor Adams honey, but Nick is right and you know it. The situation can’t be shrugged off like it’s nothing. Ashley may be a rape victim, and I may have only known her for a day but I do know from the little time that I‘ve been observing her that she doesn’t get scared over nothing.” Brian spoke up for the very first time. “There’s gotta be a good way to bring it up to him without being so accusing about it.”


“Well bring it up sometime soon because I promised Ashley everything would be okay and I do not trust him at all.” Nick replied, as he hugs Ashley closer and she rested her head against his shoulder. She had been sitting there listening to them argue the entire time and she is thankful to have Nick there to argue on her behalf or no one would ever believe her.


“Maybe for a couple of days we should just watch him with her and see how he acts. Don’t leave Ashley alone with him.” Brian suggested.


“But that’s the only time he ever does anything, is if she’s alone with him.” Nick protested. “Would he be brave enough to do anything in front of Dakota?” Nick asked curiously.


“I don’t know…why?”


“Well maybe we could have a little four year old detective running around the orphanage.”


“I don’t think so Nick…if Doctor Adams is up to anything he knows Dakota would run off and tell you the minute she saw it.”


“He doesn’t have to know that she is there. She could secretly follow him around as he’s doing his work with one of her walkie talkies in handy incase she needs to get a hold of one of us. Plus…she may not be my daughter but I did raise her for the past four years so I think I have taught her well. She can be sneaky when she needs to be.” Brian and Nick looked at Riley for her answer hoping that she would be okay with this.


“What if he does end up seeing her?”


“Kota knows this place better than any of us do I know that for a fact. She doesn’t have any friends so she spends many hours trying to entertain herself when we can’t do it. If anything she probably knows how to get into places we don’t. She’ll be fine.”


“Well… it will give her something to do I guess…she’s always complaining that she’s bored and wants to help.”


“So we can do it?” Nick asked, suddenly excited that he may get to play detectives with Dakota.


“Yeah…I guess…” Riley replied reluctantly. Nick grinned.


“Sweet! I will talk to her about it tomorrow then.” The four of them sat there in silence for awhile, and then Nick looked down at Ashley as she is still wrapped in his arms.


“You should probably get some sleep honey, its 2:30 in the morning.” He told her.


“Will you sleep in here with me?”


“I would baby but I have to go sleep with Dakota. She wakes up screaming for me sometimes.”


“Okay…” Ashley replied softly. Nick can tell by the look in her eyes that she is frightened at the thought of being in the room alone. He leaned down and kissed her forehead, than he covered her up.


“You’ll be okay I promise. I will be right next door if you should need me. You can come wake me up at anytime okay?” Ashley nodded and she watched as Nick got up and left the room before looking at Riley.


“Riley…”


“Yeah sweetie?”


“Will you stay in here with me until I fall asleep?”


“Mm hmm…Brian and I aren’t going anywhere. We will sit here and watch over you.” Feeling better at Riley’s reassuring words, Ashley got comfortable with her pillows and blankets. Nick went into his and Dakota’s room feeling awful for leaving Ashley alone. He went and crawled into bed with his sleeping angel and he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. He rested his head in the palm of his hand and watched her sleep for a few minutes as he played with her hair. After a few minutes of thinking he got up and took Dakota gently into his arms cradling her and he managed not to wake her up. He carried her next door to Ashley’s room and Riley, Brian, and Ashley all looked up at him as he walked in. Ashley smiled at the sight of him and Dakota, causing Nick to smile too.


“Mind if Kota and I join you for a slumber party?” Not replying, Ashley held the blanket up for him and he went and crawled into bed beside her. Riley and Brian got up and left the room holding hands and Nick lay Dakota in bed between him and Ashley and got her comfortable. When he finished doing that he pulled his shirt up and over his head before tossing it to the floor and lying back against the pillows. He wrapped his arm around Ashley and pulled her close. She turned on her side and wrapped her arm around him in return and he rested his forehead against hers.


“Feel better?”


“Yes…”


“Good. Go to sleep okay? You had a very trying day and need your rest.”


“Kay…” she replied softly and she lay there gazing into his beautiful blue eyes for awhile before drifting off to sleep. He lay there just watching over her, until he finally fell asleep as well.


~*~*~*~*~


“So…what now?” Riley asked, looking at Brian. “Should we go do bedroom checks? You know…make sure kids are really sleeping?”


“Ri…It’s almost 3:00 in the morning. Shouldn’t you be getting home and in bed?”


“I don’t want to go home to an empty house Bri…I would rather just stay here and work.”


“Honey you have been working all day.”


“So?”


“So you should probably take a break.” Riley scrunched up her nose in disgust as she looks up at Brian.


“I’m fine. I’m like the energizer bunny I keep on going, and going, and going…”


“Yeah and that’s what worries me.”


“Well quit worrying honey because I’m fine. Come on…help me do bedroom checks.”


“No Ri, I mean it. You’re taking a break. Come on, I’ll take you out for dinner. I’m sure Denny’s is still open at this hour” He insisted and he began to lead her toward the elevator. Riley groaned.


“Okay, fine…” she surrendered and she allowed him to drag her out of the orphanage.


~*~*~*~*~*~


The next day Nick awoke bright and early and looked down at Ashley to find her snuggled close to him and she is sleeping peacefully. From the looks of it, Dakota had already woken up and gone downstairs. He lay there thinking for a few minutes, than he grinned and kissed the top of Ashley’s head before carefully crawling out of bed and he managed not to wake her up in the process. He went next door to Dakota’s room and got the walkie talkies that he usually uses when Dakota is sick and he can’t be with her all the time. He brought them back into Ashley’s room and turned them on before putting one down on the nightstand and clipping the other one to his pants. He grabbed Ashley’s notebook and turned it to an empty page and he wrote where he’d be at and to just use the walkie talkie if she should need him. After doing this he went downstairs to the lobby where he found Riley, Doctor Johnson, and Brian who is holding Dakota.


“Nicky!!” Dakota exclaimed happily.


“Hi baby,” Nick greeted while grinning at her. She waited until he had come closer, than she sprung from Brian’s arms and into Nick’s. Nick chuckled as he caught her.


“You’re lucky that I caught you, you little monkey!” He told her with a silly grin on his face as he rested his forehead against hers and looked into her eyes. She giggled at him and he kissed her cheek before looking at Brian and Riley.


“So what’s up? What are you all talking about?”


“Well… Doctor Johnson and I did some research on this Thomas O’Ryan guy that Ashley was telling you about and he didn’t die of a car accident. This Thomas O’Ryan guy, he was connected with some drug dealers. Apparently he pissed them off and he died in a much more morbid way then a car accident…”


“How?” Nick asked, almost being afraid to know.


“I can’t tell you right now… Kota will have nightmares.”


“Is it really that bad?”


“Oh yeah, Nick. It’s horrible…” Brian spoke up.


“Well then here…take Dakota for me while I talk to Riley.” Nick handed Dakota over to him and she rested her head against his shoulder and popped her thumb into her mouth as he carried her off to the playroom where all the other children are at.


“He was found in a dirty house with so much cigarette smoke that you could barely see as you walked through it. There was furniture thrown around, blood everywhere, and he and his girlfriend were found upstairs in the bathroom, which was flooded with water from an over flowing bathtub. They were both leaning over the bathtub with their backs facing upward, both with no shirt on and the drug dealers wrote ‘thief boyfriend’ and ‘thief girlfriend’ on their backs with a knife.


“Holy shit…” Nick trailed off, and he had a disgusted look on his face.


“Yeah…disturbing huh?”


“Well then why would Ash tell us that it was a car accident?”


“That’s probably the story that she was told…Doctor Johnson talked to the police about her connection with this and they said if we could get any more information out of her it would be great. You’re the only person whose been able to get her to talk so far, so I’m leaving that job up to you.”


“Well I can’t promise you anything… you know how traumatized she is.”


“Just be really patient with her like you’ve been doing. That was great how you got her to talk a little bit about it last night, I was very impressed.”


“I wasn’t even trying to. I was just talking to her and she brought it up.”


“Are you done talking about scary stuff now?” Brian asked, while walking up to the group still holding Dakota. “We weren’t having very much fun in the playroom.”


“Yes.”


“Okay.” Nick gently took Dakota from Brian and cuddled her close to him instead. She hugged him back and rested her head against his shoulder, her thumb still in her mouth.


“What’s the matter Angel? Why weren’t you having any fun in the playroom?”


“Josh was in there… and he was giving me unfriendly looks. And he and all the other kids were saying mean things. Brian said to ignore them but I couldn’t. They were being very loud about it…” Nick sighed in frustration as he hugged Dakota tighter. Josh is really starting to frustrate him. He tries so hard to understand him, he really does. He just doesn’t get why he insists on picking on Dakota. She never bothers him or anything, she doesn’t do anything to provoke him, he just does it to be mean. He’s tried sitting him down and talking about it but all the kid does is sit there with his arms crossed over his chest and looking down at the ground in anger. He’s also the only kid in the orphanage that refuses to go near Nick and Brian and neither of them understands why.


“Well baby, Brian is right…just ignore him okay? I know it’s not easy but you just have to try.”


“Kay…” Dakota sniffled.


“But anyway… I know something that might cheer you up.”


“What?” Dakota asked, raising her eyebrow at him curiously.


“I have a job for you…a special job.” Dakota’s frown suddenly turned into an excited grin in a matter of seconds just hearing the word ‘job‘. She is always begging to help out whenever she can.


“What is it??” Nick grinned at her mysteriously and he looked around the lobby cautiously. She did the same, a curious look on her face than he brought her behind Riley’s desk, Riley, Brian, and a confused Doctor Johnson followed. He doesn’t know about the secret meeting his co-workers had last night in Ashley’s room. Nick put Dakota down and then crouched down in front of her. Brian rolled his eyes but couldn’t help but chuckle a bit at how quick Nick turned from a 20 year old to a little kid playing a game. He then crouched down with them and Riley did the same playing a long. She pulled Doctor Johnson down with her. Now no one could see them at all.


“Nicky why are we hiding?” Dakota asked, the suspense making her even more excited then she already was.


“Because what I am about to tell you is very secret Dakota. You have to promise not to tell anyone what we are up to okay? It will be our little secret. Only you, Brian, Riley, and Doctor J can know about it okay?”


“Okay, I promise.” Dakota replied dutifully.


“Okay good. We’re going to play a little game of detectives. You know what a Detective is, right?”


“Uh-huhs”


“Okay, what is it?”


“It’s a person who finds things.”


“Yeah, what kind of things?”


“Information about other peoples.”


“That’s right and I need you to pretend you’re a detective and find some information out for me, can you do that?”


“Uh-huhs.”


“Okay then this person I need information about, is Doctor Adams.”


“Doctor Adams? But how come?”


"Because he scares Ashley and we want him to not scare her anymore. But we need to know why he scares her, okay?"


“Kay.”


“Alright so what I want you to do is follow him around as he does his job whether it’s here in the orphanage, or in building A where the hospital is. But the important thing is, you must not be seen by him or anyone else. Can you do that?”


“Yes, I know great hiding places that no one else knows about.”


“Good. I will give you a walkie talkie and if you should need any of us, you can contact us through those okay?”


“K, when do I start??” she asked him anxiously.


“After breakfast…don’t get caught okay? Remember that is very important.”


“Okay I won’t I promise.”


“Good girl.”


“And one more rule Dakota,” Riley spoke up, still feeling skeptic about this whole thing. She, Nick, Brian, and Doctor Johnson all looked at her curiously.


“If Doctor Adams goes outside at all and unless it’s the playground do not follow him there. Those are your boundaries. The hospital and Orphanage are connected so you shouldn’t have a problem with that. Got it?”


“Yes Riley.”


“Okay,” she replied, feeling a little better about the whole thing - but only a little bit. The five of them were all silent for a couple of minutes, than Nick suddenly heard Ashley’s voice over the walkie talkie that is still hooked to his pants.


“Nicky…” she whimpered.


“Speaking of sleeping beauty… there she is now.”


“Good go get her then,” Riley replied, relief washing over her. She doesn’t like her up there by herself. Not after what happened last night. Nick got up from the floor and walked out from behind the front counter and he headed upstairs to get Ashley.

Chapter Five:


When Nick got up to the right floor he went down to Ashley’s room and walked in to find her sitting up in bed and hugging her legs close to her chest as she waited patiently for him. He had told her in the walkie-talkie that he was coming so she wouldn’t panic.


“Hey sweetie…did you sleep okay?”


“Yes,” She answered softly and she held her arms out to him. He smiled at her a little bit and went and sat down next to her before taking her carefully into his arms. “You left me all alone,” she pouted.


“I’m sorry sweetheart…it was only for a little while. I had to discuss some things with Riley.”


“Like what?”


“Just some business stuff…you don’t need to worry about it okay?”


“Kay…”


“Anyway, it’s about time for me to help get the cafeteria ready for breakfast…shall we go down there?”


“Mm hmm.” He got up from the bed cradling her in his arms and she rested her head against his shoulder.


“Nicky…I’m cold.” She whimpered and he grabbed the blanket from her bed that he knows is special to her. He can tell that it is because it’s a quilt with blue and pink squares on it and in between those squares there are pictures of her and her mom together when she was very little. Just by looking at the special blanket Nick assumes her mom must’ve been brilliant at sewing. He’s never seen a blanket with pictures sewed into it before. He wrapped Ashley in it and she snuggled into his chest comfortably as he carried her downstairs with him. When he got down there with her he brought her into the cafeteria where he found Riley, Brian, Doctor Johnson, and Doctor Adams at. Ashley held onto Nick tightly at the sight of Doctor Adams. Nick felt her tighten her grip on him and knows why. He didn’t say anything, he only held her closer as he brought her over to Riley and Brian.


“Hi Ashley, did you sleep okay?” Brian greeted her and he kissed her on the cheek. She smiled up at him causing him to smile back. She may not really know Brian very well, and she may not be very close to him just yet but she knows he’s safe. He’s everything the fans who have met him say he is. The sweetest and most caring man you will ever meet and amazing with kids. She sat and watched him for a half n hour as he read a story to a group of kids yesterday and they all love him to death. She doesn’t blame them one bit.


“Yes, much better than usual.”


“Well that’s definitely a good thing. Maybe Nick and Dakota should sleep in your room more often.”


“Nick why don’t you see if she will let you sit her at one of the tables? We need your help.” Riley suddenly spoke up.


“Okay,” Nick replied and he brought Ashley over to a nearby table that has already been set up.


“I’m going to sit you down here for awhile okay? I need to do some work. Just speak up if you need me for anything it doesn’t matter what it is.”


“Kay…” she replied as he sat her in a chair. He grabbed another one and gently placed her feet on it for a foot rest. She snuggled up under her blanket comfortably and he kissed the top of her head before walking away and he started to help set up tables. As he did he noticed that Doctor Adams is looking over at her as he un-stacks some chairs around a table. Nick thought for a couple of minutes, than he looked over at Dakota who is sitting on one of the stools to the island and is watching everyone work.


“Dakota”


“Yeah Nicky?”


“Why don’t you go keep Ashley company?”


“Okay!” she replied happily and she jumped down from her stool and went over to Ashley. By the time the cafeteria was done being set up it was time for breakfast and the kids were all being let in. Nick went into the kitchen for a few minutes and when he came out he had a plate in his hands. It has bacon, eggs, hash browns and he has a dozen red roses in his hand as well as a can of dr pepper. He walked over to Ashley and she looked up at him curiously.


“Here’s your breakfast, Ash.” He told her, as he sat the plate down in front of her. “I thought that you deserved to have a special breakfast this morning. A little birdie told me that this is your favorite meal so I talked with one of the cooks yesterday and had this arranged. Everyone else is having pancakes.”


“Nick…you didn’t have to do this…”


“No, but I wanted to.” He insisted, as he sat in the chair on the other side of her as Dakota still sat on the left of her. He took her hand and stared into her eyes lovingly.


“I wanted you to have a perfect morning since last night was such a nightmare for you. I wanted to make you feel special.”


“Well it worked…” She answered softly, as a single tear rolled down her cheek and she smiled into his eyes making him smile in return.


“And I wanted to see you smile again like I got the pleasure of seeing last night. You have such a beautiful smile… did you know that when you smile you bright up the whole room and make everyone else around you smile too?” She shrugged her response and he placed his hand to her cheek and gently caressed it.


“Well it’s true. Everyone loves to see you smile. It’s contagious… not even kidding.” He gazed into her eyes for a few minutes, just thinking about how much he loved the beautiful girl sitting in front of him and just how much he loved to see her smile. He may have only known her for three days but he doesn’t care. He knows he’s going to be with her some day. He just has to work real hard on earning it like Brian had said. When he finally came back to reality he kissed her cheek and placed the roses in her lap. “Anyway, you eat your breakfast before it gets cold and I’m going to take Dakota to make her plate. I will be right back okay?”


“Kay.” He then picked Dakota up as she has a big smile on her face from watching the two of them and he carried her off toward the food. Ashley watched him go with a small smile on her face as she wonders what she did to deserve such a great man to take care of her. ‘Could I have really found home? Have I really found someone who truly cares about me?’ she asked herself.


“You’ve really made her happy over there, Nick. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her smile that big before. In fact, I believe that’s the first smile I’ve seen out of her since she arrived here.” Riley told him, as she and Brian were getting their breakfast too. Nick beamed happily as he grabbed his and Dakota’s plate.


“I was born to make her happy,” was all he said and Riley and Brian exchanged knowing smiles with one another.


“What do you want on your plate sweetie?” Nick asked Dakota.


“Pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs,” she answered as she rested her head against Nick’s shoulder and he fixed both of their plates. When he finished he walked away from the island while looking down at Dakota.


“Where do you want to sit sweetheart? At the table with us or at another table?”


“Over there by the window,” Dakota answered, pointing to the table that no one else is sitting at and it’s by the window. “I want to be able to see the rain,” she told him as it’s still raining from last night but not half as bad.


“Okay sweetie,” He replied, and he brought her over to the table and sat her down. “If you need me I’m going to be with Ashley, Riley, Brian, and Doctor J okay?”


“Kay.” He put her plate down in front of her, as well as her chocolate milk. He opened it for her and then walked off to go sit next to Ashley.


“So Bri, what time is the concert tonight?” Riley asked curiously after watching Nick join them at the table.


“7:30 and it ends 11:30.”


“Cool…Nick I heard you have a surprise for Dakota. What is it?” Doctor Johnson questioned.


“You’ll see…” Nick answered mysteriously, and Ashley looked at him smiling a little bit as she is still happy about his breakfast surprise for her.


“He is just full of surprises…isn’t he?” Doctor Johnson looked at Ashley with a raised eyebrow. That is the first time he’s heard her say a word before that wasn’t out of fear or anger.


“Yeah he is… that’s why all the kids love him.”


“Really? That’s why? Cause I thought it was just because of my charm and good looks.” Nick joked and he looked at all of his friends with a cocky grin. Brian suddenly pretended to choke on his breakfast and Riley just laughed.


“Riiight…” Nick narrowed his eyes at Brian and he grabbed a piece of his toast and threw it at him. Brian saw it coming and quickly moved out of the way causing it to just barely miss him and fly past his head.


“Hey! No throwing food Mr. Carter you’re going to set a bad example!” Riley lectured as she noticed several kids at the table next to them look their way and she had to stifle a laugh. “Don’t make me have to put you in time out mister! You know the rules.”


“He started it!” Nick replied and he pointed his finger accusingly at Brian. Brian’s jaw dropped as he looked at Nick in shock.


“I did no such thing!” he protested innocently.


“Do I have to put you both in the corner?” Riley threatened playfully and both Nick and Brian lowered their heads like two kids who had just been scolded.


“No ma’am,” they both replied in unison.


“Then you two had better behave yourselves. Fighting is not tolerated in Ramsey.” She told them sternly and she noticed the kids behind her go back to minding their own business. Doctor Johnson just chuckled.


“Next thing we know it you two are going to start a huge food fight in the cafeteria if you don’t be careful. You two are everything to those kids they do what you do.” Nick and Brian smirked and Riley just rolled her eyes while smiling and she shook her head.


“Yeah and the oh so wonderful Backstreet Boys will be the ones left to clean it up too.” The three of them were silent for a few minutes until suddenly a shrill scream interrupted their thoughts.


“STOP It! Leave me alone!” a familiar voice shouted and they recognized it as Dakota‘s. “NICKY HELP!” They all looked over at her just on time to see Josh spill his milk on her and another girl dropped her food on the floor. Dakota was now crying.


“Leave her alone!” Nick demanded, and he got up and rushed over to her. She held her arms out to him as she cries and he pulled her into his embrace and hugged her tightly. The whole room was silent and watching with confused looks on their faces and they had been ever since Dakota screamed. Nick soon had her calmed down and when he did he looked at Josh and the other kid just on time to see them trying to sneak away.


“Joshua Lee, stop it right there!” Nick demanded, his voice becoming very firm and all of the kids watched him in silence. No one has ever seen Nick get angry at all during the four years that he had worked there. He has really had enough of his angel getting picked on for no reason at all. Dakota rested her head against Nick’s shoulder as tears rolled down her cheek and Josh gulped as he turned around and looked at Nick innocently.


“Don’t you act all innocent with me I saw what you did. You and your friend come with me, Now.”


“NO!” Josh refused, and he crossed his arms over his chest and looked away stubbornly.


“Excuse me?”


“You heard me. I said no.”


“You can either come with me now, Josh, or we can do this in front of everybody. What will it be?” Josh looked around the cafeteria suddenly and he saw that everyone was looking at him. He then became very shy all of the sudden and he gulped again as he looked back at a very angry Nick.


“Well? Are you coming?” Josh nodded his head slowly and he began to follow Nick with his friend trailing behind him and Nick lead the two kids out into the lobby as he carried Dakota with him. He lead them into the nearby auditorium and shut the door behind him.


“The two of you go sit in one of the chairs in the front row.” He ordered calmly, but the anger still evident in his voice. Both children did as they were told as they know they’re in big trouble enough as it is and to disobey now would be suicidal. They walked down to the front row of chairs in the auditorium and Nick followed them as he held Dakota close to him. She sniffled and rested her head against his shoulder and he placed soft kisses on her forehead. When they were sitting down Nick pulled a nearby chair in front of them and sat down too. He sat there just thinking for a couple of minutes.


“Okay Josh…I am going to try once again to try and understand you. Why do you pick on her? I try so hard to figure it out. What is it that you have against Dakota? What could she have possibly done to make you want to treat her the way you do 24/7?” Josh angrily crossed his arms over his chest and he looked down at the ground.


“I suggest that you start talking to me. You’re already in enough trouble as it is and I am NOT going to let you get off easy this time. If you haven’t noticed I have very little patience for you this time.”


“NONE of your damn business Fagstreet Boy…just because everyone else in this building worships your every word and does exactly as you say it doesn’t mean I have to as well!”


“No, you’re right. You don’t have to worship every word I say and neither does anyone else around here. But you do have to do as I say and respect me just as you would to any other adult in this orphanage. And you had better knock off that foul language young man or we can add that to the list of all the other things you will be punished for.” Nick replied and Josh just glared at him. “Now, Are you going to explain to me why you like picking on Dakota or what?”


“What does it matter? You’re just going to punish me anyway so why don’t you just get it over with? She’s a spoiled little brat who always gets her way.”


“No, Dakota doesn’t get her way she just knows how to behave herself. I have never had to punish her once or raise my voice at her at all but if she ever did do anything wrong she would be in your place right now. So don’t you worry, she doesn’t get treated any different than any other child here.”


“Yeah whatever you’re a liar. I see the way you treat her and so does everyone else in this orphanage.”


“I am sorry that you’re feeling jealous of her buddy, but that still doesn’t give you or anyone else in this orphanage the right to treat her the way that you do. You don’t have to like her and you don’t have to be her friend…as much as she would love to have a friend since she is pretty lonely a lot of the time, I can’t force you or anyone else to do that. But you will learn to respect her like you would to anyone else in this building because I am through with letting you get away with it.”


“Whatever…punish me then so that we can get out of here and on with our lives.”


“Fine. For your punishment, as soon as everyone has gone off to play you and your friend will be helping me clean up the entire cafeteria. Once that is finished, you will go upstairs to your rooms and not come out until tonight when it’s time for the concert. Your only exception will be lunch and even then you will be sitting at a table with me. There will be no TV, no video games, no talking to any of your friends, and I will be removing all of your toys. During that time that you’re in your rooms you will write a two page paper on why it is wrong to disrespect people. Got it?” Josh and his friend nodded.


“All right then. Right now I want you two to march right on back into that cafeteria and you will clean up the mess you made of Dakota’s breakfast and fix her a new plate. Understand?” they nodded again.


“Good then go do that.” Both Josh and his friend got up and headed toward the door to the auditorium and Nick turned his attention on Dakota, the stern look on his face disappearing.


“Are you okay baby?” he asked her gently.


“No…” she answered and then began to cry all over again, as she had been trying very hard to hold it back this entire time. Nick held Dakota close to him and gently made her rest her head against his shoulder and he rubbed her back.


“It’s all right baby…calm down. They can’t pick on you and get away with it anymore I promise.” He whispered softly in her ear and she soon calmed down. When she did he got up and brought her out of the auditorium. “Come on sweetie…you can sit with me at my table.” When they were back in the cafeteria he brought her over to the table where Brian, Riley, Doctor Johnson, and Ashley still sat at. He sat down in his chair beside Ashley.


“Is everything okay?” Riley asked gently, looking at Dakota sympathetically.


“It is now…she’s just still a little upset but she’ll be okay.” Nick answered as he placed soft kisses on Dakota’s forehead and Dakota slid her arms around Nick’s neck and hugged him tight as a single tear rolled down her cheek.


“Did you punish Josh and Mackenzie?”


“Yeah, both of them will be helping me clean up the cafeteria as soon as everyone finishes with breakfast and has gone off to play. Then they will be going straight up to their rooms where they will stay until it’s time for the concert tonight. Their only exception will be lunch and even then they will be sitting with us. They will not be talking to any of their friends, and I will be removing every fun thing from their rooms until later tonight after the concert. Is that fair?”


“Yeah I think so. They deserve it. This bullying has got to stop.” Nick looked down at a still very upset Dakota and he noticed that her shirt is still wet from Josh pouring his milk on her.


“Here…lets take your wet shirt off sweetie, doesn’t that bother you?” Dakota nodded and he lifted her oversized t-shirt up and over her head so that she is now only wearing shorts and he once again hugged her tightly. She buried her face in his shoulder and once again wrapped her arms around his neck. After a few minutes had gone by, Mackenzie came back with a new tray of breakfast for Dakota and it had exactly what Dakota was eating earlier. Nick took it and placed it on the table and he looked at Mackenzie.


“Thank-you Mackenzie…now I suggest you go and get the last bit of socializing that you have left done and over with because it is going to be a long day for you and Josh.” Mackenzie didn’t say anything she only scowled and walked off. Dakota turned in Nick’s lap and began to eat her breakfast and Nick watched her for a couple of minutes just thinking about things, than he went back to eating as well.


~*~*~*~*~*~


Later on after breakfast, Nick supervised as Josh and Mackenzie cleaned up the cafeteria. They wiped down the tables and mopped the floors, and they helped Ms. Allen the cook bring all the food back into the kitchen. As they did this, Nick put the tables away and had them stack the chairs. When they were finished Nick looked over at Dakota and Ashley as they sit in the two chairs watching. Dakota now had a dry shirt on and was in a much better mood. Brian had cheered her up earlier with his imitations of Donald Duck and had her giggling uncontrollably.


“What do you guys think? Does the cafeteria look clean to you?” he asked, and both Josh and Mackenzie looked at them.


“Yeah I think so,” Ashley answered, and Nick, Josh, and Mackenzie looked at Dakota. Josh scowled as he is so sure Dakota will say no and make them work harder because of the way he treated her and she knows whatever she says goes when Nick is around.


“Yeah, it’s clean. They did a good job…” she answered softly and Josh raised his eyebrow at her.


“Okay then since this part of your punishment is done lets go upstairs to your rooms now.” Nick replied and he went over to Ashley. Since he is the only adult in there and he is in charge of her at the moment since Riley has other things to do he has to take her a long with him. He took her hand and gently helped her up from her chair and he wrapped a protective arm around her. When he did this he headed toward the door with Dakota at his heels and Josh and Mackenzie trailed behind them. He lead them up to the floor their rooms are on, which just happens to be the same floor Dakota and Ashley’s rooms are at. Josh is right across from Ashley and Mackenzie is down the hall a little bit. He made sure to get Mackenzie’s room number from Riley since he had just met her today. She’s new at the orphanage obviously.


“Mackenzie go to your room and I will be right there.” He told her and she did as he said walked off to her room sulking. Nick watched her as she went in her room, than he lead Josh into his bringing Ashley and Dakota a long. Josh sat on his bed and Nick began to pick up every fun thing in there and place them into a garbage bag.


“When will I be getting those back?” Josh whined.


“Tonight after the concert if you behave.” Nick answered, and he glanced at Ashley to make sure she is okay. She’s standing there holding onto the wall. Seeing that she is fine, he went back to what he was doing. When he finished picking up all of his toys and his x-box was the only thing left he went to the TV and began unplugging it.


“Don’t put my x-box in that bag it will break!” Josh demanded, but Nick could hear the begging in his voice.


“I know Josh, calm down. I have an x-box myself and know how to take care of it.” Nick reassured him. When he had the system unplugged he looked at Dakota.


“Can you hold this for me please sweetie?” she nodded and took the x-box from him and he handed her the controllers and games as well. He then unplugged the TV too so that he can’t watch TV at all during his punishment either. When he was sure that the room was completely fun free he looked at a miserable Josh.


“Get some paper and a pen out.” Josh did as he’s told and he got out a few sheets of paper and a pen.


“Remember that two page paper on why you don’t disrespect people is due tonight before the concert. No exceptions. So I suggest you get working on that. I will be in and out during the day to check on you so I suggest you stay in this room. Any questions?” Josh shook his head.


“Alright then” He replied, and he went and wrapped his arm around Ashley and he again began to lead her out of the room with the bag of toys in is other hand and Dakota followed behind him carrying the x-box being sure to be careful. Nick brought them into his and Dakota’s room and he put the bag and x-box high up in his closet where they can’t be reached. After doing this he took Ashley’s hand and brought her over to his and Dakota’s bed and he sat her down. Dakota hopped up onto the bed next to her.


“You two stay in here real quick. I will be right back after talking to Mackenzie. Okay?” Ashley and Dakota nodded and Nick walked off to Mackenzie’s room where he did the same thing he did to Josh. When he finished he brought her toys in here and placed them up in the closet too and he looked at Dakota and Ashley.


“Alright Dakota, are you ready to play detectives?” he asked, after closing his door so he isn’t over heard.


“Yeah!”


“Where are all of your walkie-talkies?” Dakota crawled off the bed and went to her toy box and she pulled out the rest of her walkie talkies. There are three more left. Riley has the one Nick had earlier, and Brian has the one he had left in Ashley’s room earlier. She brought them to him and he took two of them and handed her one.


“Keep that for you in case you need it. You can contact either myself, Riley, Brian, or AJ when he gets here. We all four will have a walkie talkie. Brian, AJ, and I will be in the auditorium getting ready for the concert and I will have Ashley in there with me as well.”


“Where is Doctor Adams?”


“I don’t know…hold on.” He replied, and he turned on his walkie-talkie and spoke into it.


“Hey Riley…can you hear me?” he asked. He waited a couple of seconds, and then she suddenly replied.


“Yeah Nick…what’s up?”


“Are you alone?”


“No I have Brian here with me… why?”


“Where is Doctor Adams?”


“He’s over at the hospital. I don’t know what room or what he’s doing though.”


“Okay thanks,” he told her and then looked at Dakota.


“He is in the hospital but like she said she doesn’t know where. So you will have to look for him. Will you be okay?”


“Yeah,” Dakota replied, and she turned her walkie talkie on and attached it to her pants before going into the walk in closet. He followed her in there curiously as he again has his arm wrapped around Ashley and she climbed up onto the dresser and stood up. She then reached up and grabbed a handle and she pulled down a little secret passage way. Nick raised his eyebrow at her and looked very impressed.


“Where does this lead honey?”


“Everywhere. They’re the air vents. I go in and out of them all the time and watch peoples when I‘m bored.” Nick again raised his eyebrow.


“Nothing too personal I hope.”


“Nuh-uhs”


“…Okay I hope not,” Nick laughed. He watched her as she pulled herself up into the air vent and closed it behind her and she crawled off. Nick looked at Ashley as she stood there next to him, her arm wrapped around his waist and her head rested against his shoulder.


“I really hope she doesn’t get caught,” he told her.


“I’m sure she won’t… Kota is a smart kid she knows her way around this building pretty well.” Ashley reassured him.


“Yeah, you’re right. Well it’s about time I get down to the auditorium… the other guys should be getting here soon. Shall we go down there?” Ashley nodded and he lifted her so that he is cradling her. She slid her arms around his neck and rested her head against his shoulder and he brought her out in the hall. He went down to Mackenzie’s room and opened the door slightly. He peeked in and saw her sitting at her desk where he left her and she is just sitting there staring at her papers. Nick closed the door again and walked back down to Josh’s room and he checked on him. He found him lying in bed with his head hanging over it upside down and he’s just staring up at the ceiling. Nick rolled his eyes and closed his door before walking off to the elevator.


“I really hope he gets moving on that paper. I would hate for him to have to lose his toys for an extra day…”


“Yeah…”


“I wasn’t too hard on them was I? That was my first time having to punish a child here… I don’t think they’ve ever even seen me raise my voice before.”


“I think you were fair. Like Riley says the bullying needs to stop… and I have only been here for a short time, but from hearing all the stories from Kota and seeing some of the things they’ve done to her they’re pretty horrible towards her. None of yours or Riley’s lectures seemed to faze them so something had to be done. You did the right thing…and maybe it was a good thing that the entire orphanage saw you angry. Maybe this will open their eyes and make them see that they can’t get away with this stuff.”


“Yeah…I hope so because I really don’t like being the bad guy. I think I understand Josh a little more now though…he picks on her because he’s jealous. I never really saw that coming. Do you think I treat Dakota different then the other kids?”



“Well it’s very obvious that she is very special to you…to be honest it’s like watching a father with his daughter when watching the two of you. I can see how they could feel jealous. Dakota has had you since she was just three days old and ever since then you’ve basically been like a father figure to her in a way…and none of the other kids have that. Maybe that’s why they dislike her so much.”


“I never really noticed that…my relationship with Kota comes very natural to me. It’s like the whole world disappears around me when I’m with her. She’s my pride and joy…”


“I know I can see that. And so can everyone else around you. So my questions is this Nick…why haven’t you adopted her yet?”


“Well when I brought her here I was only 16 years old. I was nowhere near ready to be a father so I had to take care of her here.”


“I know that but you’re 20 years old now. You’re an adult…and from the looks of it you’re very ready. So why haven’t you done it yet?”


“I don’t know…I guess it’s just because of the whole Backstreet Boys thing…and all of the traveling that I do. That’s no life for a four year old is it? I want her childhood to be as normal as possible...and I’m still so young I just don’t think I’m ready to take on such a big responsibility yet. I’m still comfortable with having the orphanage to lean on.”


“Oh…” Ashley replied, as she understands what he means. But she’s also a little scared for him too. Dakota is so cute and adorable… how long is it going to be before someone else notices her and wants to adopt her? When Nick and Ashley got down to the lobby, he brought her into the auditorium where Riley, Brian, and the rest of his band mates are at.

Chapter Six:


As soon as Nick had walked into the auditorium the guys immediately went right to work. They did sound check all morning and Ashley ended up falling asleep on the stage off to the side where she’s not in the way. Nick had gotten her a pillow and everything. Dakota was gone the entire time spying on Doctor Adams and Nick talked to her only once so far when he had contacted her through the walkie talkie and asked her if she was okay and where she was at. She told him she was still up in the air vent and she was watching him with patients in the hospital but he wasn’t doing anything suspicious or anything. Not yet anyway. She had only been watching him for an hour.


“So Nick…how are things going with you and Ashley lately?” Howie asked curiously, as everyone is taking a break. Nick is sitting on the edge of the stage not too far from Ashley and he is drinking some water from his water bottle.


“Better actually… I have gained her trust, finally. Infact next to Riley I am the only one who can handle her. She won’t let anyone else near her.”


“Well that is a good accomplishment. At least you’re getting somewhere.” AJ replied.


“Yeah…” Nick agreed and he looked over at Ashley as she still lay on the stage asleep where he had left her.


“I think last night’s incident is what got her trusting you,” Brian spoke up and Kevin raised his eyebrow toward his cousin in curiosity.


“What happened last night?”


“Some guy climbed through her window and started attacking her. We heard her screaming from Dakota’s room and Nick immediately jumped up and hurried out into the hall only to discover her door shut and locked. Nick, Riley, Doctor Johnson, Doctor Adams, and I all banged on her door frantically trying to get her to open it but she wouldn’t. Finally Doctor Johnson found a key and unlocked the door and we went in there to find the guy gone and she was lying on the floor covered in blood and crying. She wouldn’t let Nick near her at first but when she finally did he put her in bed and Riley cleaned her up.” Brian explained.


“Oh man…”


“Correction: Doctor Adams just stood there. He wasn’t in any hurry to get into her room at all. If I remember correctly, it was the four of us banging on her door and panicking and he didn’t seem very worried about her at all,” Nick replied bitterly. None of the guys were confused by Nick’s bitterness toward Doctor Adams. They were all clued in on what’s going on and are aware that Dakota is following him around as they speak.


“Nick got a little bit of information out of this guy too. She told him that he had a friend who died in a car accident. She told him his name was Thomas O’Ryan but she refused to tell him anything other than that. Riley and Doctor Johnson researched this guy and found out that he died in a much more brutal way. Ashley wasn’t told the truth - she was lead to believe that it was a car accident.”


“How did he die?” Howie asked curiously, and Brian explained to him the whole story.


“Holy shit that’s horrible…” AJ replied.



“Yeah…Doctor Johnson talked to the police about her connection with this and they said if we could get any more information out of her it would be great. Riley has left that job up to me,” Nick spoke up. Everyone sat there in silence for a few minutes until suddenly they heard Ashley whimpering in her sleep.


“Kori no…” they all looked at her curiously to find her tossing and turning as she lay there on the stage. “KORI NO! Please don’t hurt her, please don’t…NOOOOOO!” She screamed and then she began to cry and her eyes shot open in panic. Nick rushed over to her immediately and he scooped her up into his arms as he sat down Indian style on the stage cradling her.


“Ashley baby shhh, it’s going to be okay honey. It was only a bad dream. Shhh…” Nick soothed and he held her tight as he rocks her gently in his arms. “It’s okay sweetheart…Nicky is here.” After awhile when he had gotten her to calm down he wiped away her tears and he brushed her hair out of her face and delicately tucked it behind her ear.


“What happened honey? Can you tell me? Who is Kori?”


“M-my sister…” she sniffled.


“…You have a sister?” Nick asked curiously and he suddenly looked very confused. Riley never told him that she has a sister.


“She ran away just a month before my parents were murdered…”



“How old was she?” Nick asked after mouthing to Brian to go get Riley. Brian got up and left the room.



“She was thirteen when she disappeared. S-she just up and left one day and didn’t even leave a note explaining why.”



“What happened in your nightmare?” he asked as he finds Kori’s disappearance very suspicious.



“Kori was in trouble…” AJ raised his eyebrow and he gave Nick a look.



“What kind of trouble?”



“I d-don’t know…” she answered, her voice cracking as if she’s getting ready to cry all over again. Tear tracks from earlier are already rolling down her damp cheeks and she is trembling.



“It’s okay sweetie…it’s just you and me talking here. It’s just a friendly conversation between friends…relax.” He told her gently and he held her close as she rested her head against his shoulder.



“Can you explain to me what you saw?”



“It was very blurry…”



“It’s okay…just explain it the best you can.”



“There were two big guys… I couldn’t see their faces but I know that they were hurting her because she was screaming.” Suddenly Brian and Riley walked in and they went and sat with the others who were sitting there listening carefully.



“What were they wearing? Can you tell me that?”


“All black… and they were wearing black hats too.”



“Did you see where they were? Any of the surroundings or anything?”



“No…”



“Okay…well thanks for telling me honey…I know that was a big step.” He told her and he gently rubbed his hand over her back. She slid her arms around his neck and held onto him tightly and she closed her eyes causing her tears to spill out over her cheeks. He held her close to him for a few minutes, than he looked at Brian and Riley.



“I need to talk to Riley for a few minutes honey…do you think that you can sit in here with AJ for a few minutes? He is my best friend and he’s a very nice guy. I know that he will take good care of you.”



“Kay…” AJ got up and went over to Nick. He sat down next to him and Nick gently placed her in his lap so that he is cradling her instead. After doing this he got up and followed Riley and Brian out of the auditorium and he explained to them everything Ashley just told him.



“Okay well I can tell you one thing that needs to be done. We need to find Kori as soon as possible. She may be the answer to a lot of our questions.” Doctor Johnson announced when Nick had finished explaining the situation.



“Yeah and not only that but it would be great for Ashley to have a family member back in her life again… that’s the most important thing here right? Yeah it would be great to have some answers to everything… but Ashley’s happiness is the number one thing here.” Nick replied protectively.



“But she’s been gone for what… five years now? What if she’s dead? What if she didn’t even run away in the first place? In Ashley’s nightmare she was attacked. What if that really happened?” Brian questioned skeptically.



“Well we will never know unless we try, Bri.” Riley replied as she takes his hand into hers.



“We should ask Ashley if she wants this. She’s pretty angry with her for leaving I don’t want to do anything that will upset her even more.” Nick insisted, and he walked back into the auditorium and Riley, Brian, and Doctor Johnson followed. Nick went back onstage and over to AJ and Ashley and he sat down and took Ashley back into his arms again before hugging her tight.



“Hey sweetie… Riley, Brian, Doctor J and I were talking and we want to know how you would feel about us finding Kori for you.”



“No.” Ashley demanded, and she shook her head as tears rolled down her cheek. “Absolutely not…”



“But honey if they found Kori for you, you would have someone in your family to turn to. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?” Howie spoke up.



“She’s not family! Family wouldn’t have turned their back on me like that! She promised me that she would always be here for me… and then she just up and left! She was never here for me even when I needed her the most. She fucking walked out on me and I was left alone! I was left alone to deal with our parents’ death all by myself. She ran away, just let her be! She obviously doesn’t want to be found!” Ashley demanded, and she began to cry all over again.



“That may not be the case, honey.” Brian replied gently. “You just had a nightmare that she was being attacked. She may have been in some kind of trouble. Or maybe she’s in trouble now and that nightmare you had was a message. If we go looking for her we could be saving her life.”



“Did she come running back when I was I trouble? No she didn’t! She left me all alone to suffer. Now she can suffer too! Just let her be.” Ashley demanded, and Nick hugged her tighter as she buried her face in his shoulder. Everyone sat there in silence for a few moments, than Kevin broke it.



“We should probably get back to work…” Nick carefully sat Ashley down on the stage beside him and he got up. Riley took his and Brian’s arms and pulled them out of Ashley’s hearing point. Doctor Johnson followed them.


“We’re going to look for her anyway. I know that deep down inside underneath all that anger she really needs Kori…now more than ever and we need her as well. Doctor Johnson I want you to go down to the police station again and tell them we need all the information that we can get on Kori Mortenson. If we have to go straight to a detective then we will.”



“Okay I will do that right now while I am on my break.” He replied, and he walked out of the auditorium. Riley looked at Nick.



“Nick if you can get any information out of Ashley about Kori’s home life before she ran that would be great. The kind of people she hung out with, everything. But whatever you do, don’t let her find out what we’re doing or you know she will shut you out.”



“Okay,” Nick replied, and she hugged Nick and kissed Brian’s cheek before leaving the room as well. Nick and Brian went back to work.



~*~*~*~*~


Later on that night it was time for the concert and Children and thousands of fans were piling into the huge auditorium. Since this concert is for them, all of the children in the orphanage got first dibs on the seats before they let any of the fans in. Riley and Ashley were sitting in the front row when suddenly Dakota came running over to them.



“Ashee can I sit in your lap?” She asked her sweetly, and Ashley smiled down at her.



“Of course you can sweetie.” She smiled really big and then crawled into Ashley’s lap. She sat so that she is facing the stage and Ashley wrapped her arms around her waist and rested her chin on her shoulder. Riley smiled at the sight of this. She loves how Ashley is with Dakota. She knows that Dakota looks up to Ashley just as much as she looks up to Nick and she also knows that Dakota hopes they one day end up being boyfriend and girlfriend. She sees the way she watches them and it’s the cutest thing ever. After a half an hour of waiting, and when everyone was in the auditorium and in their seats it was time for the show to start. All of the lights in the room shut off and the music to Larger Than Life began to play. Colorful lights and firework sound effects went off and all five guys popped up from under the stage making the fans go crazy with excitement. They all began screaming and Brian started the concert off with his part in Larger Than Life. All five guys stood on the stage in a row in their blue millennium outfits.


"I may run and hide when you're screaming my name, alright!" Brian sang, smiling at the fans who'd been let in after having had paid money for their tickets. The fans in response screamed his name. "BRIAN!!!!" Brian faked a scared look and did a funny run that wound him up on the other side of the stage.


"But let me tell you now there are prices to fame, alright," Nick sang next, doing a funky move to make everyone scream. The song went on, all the Boys singing their parts. Once Larger Than Life had ended they went on to sing, That's The Way I Like It, Hey Mr. DJ [Play That Song For Me], and 10,000 promises. During 10,000 promises, Nick made sure to make eye contact and sing to all his little 'wives' that were in the audience; this made the little girls even more excited than they all ready were. After 10,000 promises, they did a quick costume change, then came back out to sing Back To Your Heart, Show Me The Meaning, The one, and If You Want It To Be Good Girl. Soon the music for I'll Never Break Your Heart began to play. Kevin spoke his part, smiling at one of the pre-teens, who swooned and just about fell over. He chuckled softly, as A.J. took over with his part.


"From the first day, that I saw your smiling face, Honey I knew that we would be, together forever"


"Ooh when I asked you out, you said no, but I found out, Darlin' that you'd been hurt. You thought that you'd never love again....Well, I deserve a try Honey, just once...." Brian joined in, hopping down off the stage and moving to stand before Riley, as she was somewhere away from the crazy fans. Riley looked at him with her eyebrows raised. He wasn't really going to sing to her in front of everyone, was he? "I'll never break your heart. I'll never make you cry. I'd rather die, than live without you. Id give you all of me, Honey that's no lie," the Boys harmonized, Brian holding Riley's hand and staring straight into her eyes as he sang. While A.J. sang his next part, Brian leaned in and kissed her lips softly, smiling at her before turning and running to hop back up on stage to continue on with the song. The music ended and the guys ran off to change again, Howie returning shortly.


"Hello everyone! We hope you're having a good time tonight!" He paused a moment as everyone screamed their response, making him smile. "I'm sure you all know the next song, so join in and sing along!" The kids - mostly the fans - shrieked shrilly when they heard the music for Quit Playin' Games. Brian started singing and had everyone singing with him long before the end of the song. After Quit Playing Games, they performed Get Down, We've Got It Goin' On, Spanish Eyes, and Don't Wanna Lose You Now. They paused then, as Nick smiled at the crowd.


"I have a special surprise for someone now. Dakota, come up here please." Dakota's eyes went wide, as Kevin came down to retrieve her for Nick. She let him pick her up and carry her up onto the stage, where she was handed over to Nick. "This is my little Angel," Nick beamed. "The guys and I are going to sing Dakota's favorite song to her." He set her down upon the stool Brian had brought out, and the Boys began to sing as they all surrounded her - though, they also made sure to interact with the audience now and then too.


"I'd walk halfway around the world, for just one kiss from you," Brian smiled, singing. "Far beyond the call of love, the sun, the stars, the moon."


"As long as your love's there to lead me, I won‘t lose my way believe me. And even through the darkest nights you know....." Once the song was over, Nick helped Dakota down and made sure she got back to Ashley okay. He then hurried on backstage to change yet again, returning shortly as All I Have To Give began. All I Have To Give finished, and they went right on into As Long As You Love Me, and then Just Like A Child. During Just Like A Child, Nick made sure to make eye contact with Ashley every time he sang, "Girl don't stop, the sun from shining down on me. 'Cause I can't take another day without your smile...." After Just Like A Child, the Boys said their good-byes.


"Good night y'all, we hope y'all have a fantastic time!" A.J. exclaimed.



"We hope we can do this again sometime soon. Have a safe ride for those of you driving home, and have wonderful dreams to those of you staying here," Kevin smiled.




"I'm Howie D. and this is how we do it. Good night everyone!" Howie winked.




"We love you all! Good night!" Brian added.




"And remember," Nick smiled devilishly. "Backstreet's Back!"




"Alright!" Brian said in his funny 'alright' voice. The five of them ran off the stage then and the lights dimmed, and all you could hear was the murmurs of the crowd for the next few minutes. After about five minutes or so - but before anyone had the chance to leave - the Backstreet Boys came running back out onstage, as Backstreet's Back began to play.



"Y'all thought we'd left, didn't yah? Ha!" A.J. remarked, as they took their places and began to sing. After Backstreet's Back had finished, they finished the concert off with I Want It That Way, then said good night once more before leaving the stage for the last time that night.



~*~*~*~*~*~


Later on that night when the concert was long over Nick walked into Ashley’s room to find her sitting on the floor with a poster board and some paint and she’s painting a picture. Riley had put a bunch of newspapers on the floor so that she doesn’t make a mess and she is sitting there with her because Nick was downstairs. Him and Brian were being interviewed by a news reporter about their jobs at Ramsey and they had a bunch of kids with them. Since the concert was a charity for the children they wanted to do an article on it in the newspaper and they agreed to it. One of those kids being Dakota and five others. After the interview he returned Josh and Mackenzie's toys back to them since they had both finished their papers and turned them into him, and they did a good job on them AND behaved during the whole day. When he was finished talking to them he played play dough with Dakota for awhile and then put her to bed. Ashley smiled at his appearance and he smiled back at her.


“You did a great job in your concert tonight Nick. The kids really enjoyed it and so did I,” Riley told him.


“Yeah I bet you did. That was some surprise Brian gave you eh? Singing ‘I’ll never break your heart’ to you and then kissing you. What was that all about?” Nick teased, making Riley immediately blush.


“He didn’t mean anything by it… he just got caught in the moment.” Riley insisted.


“Right…uh-huh.” Nick replied with a knowing grin and he went and sat next to Ashley on the floor and he sat there watching her paint.


“What about you sweetie? Did you like it?”


“I loved it Nicky. That was my very first concert…” Nick now looked very shocked.


“Really?”


“Yes… and you made it very special for me.” Ashley answered softly and he smiled at her lovingly before taking her hand in his as she isn’t painting at the moment and he gently rubbed his finger over it.


“Well I’m glad because that was my goal.”


“Nick I’m going to go talk to Doctor Johnson and then go find Brian. Are you going to stay here now?”


“Mm hmm, I’m not going anywhere.”


“Okay thanks,” she replied and she got up and left the room. Nick looked at Ashley to find her sitting there just staring at her painting.


“What are you painting, huh? Can I see?”


“It’s nothing special…” He scooted closer to her and took a look at her painting.


“Wow… that’s really neat. You’re a very good artist.”


“I picked it up from my mom…”


“Ooh.”


“I can’t seem to paint very good clouds though… mom was going to teach me but never got the chance to.” Ashley replied softly as tears threatened to fall from her sad brown eyes. He sat there just watching her as he thought for a couple of minutes.


“Do you want me to teach you? It’s really simple…I’m a bit of an artist myself.” She looked at him for a couple of minutes and then nodded.


“Okay… come here,” he told her gently and held his arms out to her and she crawled over to him and sat between his legs with her back to him. He wrapped her in his arms and pulled the poster board in front of them before taking the paint brush into his hand as she holds onto it too and he helped her paint some clouds. When they finished they had a picture of a field with tons of flowers and the clouds for the sky. There are a couple of butterflies flying around in the field too. She rested the back of her head against his shoulder smiling and he smiled down at her in return.


“Is it finished?” he asked her softly and she looked down at the painting just thinking for a couple of minutes, than she shook her head.


“It’s missing something…”


“Like what?”


“I don’t know yet…”


“Hmm…well I’m sure that you will think of something. You have a creative imagination and you’ve got yourself a beautiful masterpiece here.”


“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you…” she replied while looking up at him again and she rested the back of her head against his shoulder.


“That’s nonsense. All I did was help you with the clouds.” He insisted as gazed into her brown eyes lovingly and she continued to look up at him not saying a word. After a few minutes a playful smirk suddenly formed across his lips and he put the paint brush that he still had in his hand to her nose leaving blue paint on it.


“Hey!” she whined and then giggled and he just chuckled. She then grabbed the red paint bottle and she poured some of it into her hands before rubbing them together and she placed both of them to each of his cheeks as she still sat so her back is to him and she beamed up at him in satisfaction. He only laughed and shook his head in amusement, than as she still had her hands placed to his cheeks she brought his nose down on hers giving him an Eskimo’s kiss and he rested his forehead against hers and smiled into her eyes as she smiled back mischievously.


“You’re evil you know that?” he asked her and she just giggled.


“You started it.”


“Yeah, yeah.” he replied, before grabbing another poster board and pushing her other one to the side and he handed her the brush and took her hand into his and the two of them began to paint a picture together. A half n hour later Riley walked back in and she laughed at the sight of them.


“Wow… you two had a lot of fun while I was gone.”


“She decided that she wanted to paint me instead of the poster board.” Nick explained.


“Nuh uh! Nicky put the brush to my nose as it had blue paint on it so for revenge I poured red paint in my hands and stuck them to his cheeks and put my blue nose to his so that we were even. He started it.” Ashley replied defensively after giggling and he smiled in satisfaction as he loves to hear her giggle. Riley smiled and shook her head.


“Well anyway, it’s late Nick. Why don’t you two get cleaned up and her in bed?”


“Okay,” Nick replied and Riley left the room. Nick helped Ashley clean her paint mess up, than he got up cradling her and he brought her over to her bed and sat her in it. He covered her up and went and got a wet wash cloth. He brought it over to her and wiped her nose with it. When he finished he wiped her hands, than she took it and gently pulled him onto the bed with her and she cleaned him up in return. When she finished he crawled under the covers with her after bringing Dakota in there and lying her down in the middle again and he turned off the lights. They lay there talking for awhile until they had both fallen asleep. It’s been a very long day.



~*~*~*~*~*~


“Riley, it’s 2:00 in the morning. You should have clocked out and gone home by now.” Doctor Johnson demanded lightly, as he walked into the lobby to find her going through papers at the front counter and Brian sitting on the counter watching her.


“Good luck Doctor J… I have already tried talking her into clocking out but she just won’t listen.”


“I still have a lot to do. I’m fine.” Riley insisted. Doctor Johnson sighed as he knows exactly what Riley is doing and why. He looked at Brian, giving him a look. Brian understood right away.


“Come on Ri, it’s 2:00 in the morning. You’re going home.” He ordered, and he jumped down from his spot on the counter and took her papers from her and she looked up at him with a raised eyebrow.


“Brian give those back! I wasn’t finished looking at them yet.”


“You can finish looking at them in the morning. Your shift is done you can go home and sleep now.”


“What’s the point in going home when there’s nothing to go home to?”


“I’m coming with you. And I’m going to make you dinner and I am going to spend the night there with you. Will that make you feel better?” Riley looked at him for a couple of minutes. To be honest that would make her feel a whole lot better. She nodded her surrender and he took her hand in his and squeezed it gently before looking at Doctor Johnson.


“Go ahead and take her home Bri. I will clock out for her.”


“Thanks,” Brian replied and he led Riley out the door.


“What are you making me Bri?”


“Anything your heart desires honey.“ Riley smiled a little bit as she looked at him and this caused him to smile back.


“Spaghetti?”


“Mm hmm I can do that.” He told her and he took her hand into his lacing her fingers with his own.


“Please don’t over work yourself Ri…he really isn’t worth all the trouble.”


“Bri please don’t start.”


“Okay, okay…I’m sorry…” he apologized softly and he let out a small sigh. Riley looked at him with a raised eyebrow.


“Bri? You okay?”


“Yeah… fine…” he answered. She continued to look at him quizzically for a couple of minutes, than she looked down at the ground as they walked back to her apartment in silence. By the time they got there and Riley had unlocked the door and brought him inside he was in a slightly better mood and once again had a grin on his face. He led her into the kitchen and he got right to work on making her the best dinner he could possibly make her and she sat on a bar stool to the island and watched him as he did. After a couple of minutes of thinking, she went into the living room and turned on the stereo and country music began to play out of it. She went back and sat down again. By the time he almost had dinner finished he got out two plates and began to set the table for two and when he finished doing that it was done. He brought the pot of spaghetti over to the table so they could serve themselves.


“Do you have a lighter?” he asked her, as he noticed that there is a candle in the middle of the table.


“Yeah,” she answered and she went into the kitchen and opened up one of her junk drawers and she pulled out one of Chase’s lighters. She held it out to Brian and he took it and began to light the single candle sitting on the table. When he finished he went and dimmed the lights and he looked at a curious Riley.


“What?”


“Nothing,” she answered softly and she shook her head and gave him a weak smile. This romantic setting is going to drive her insane. The two of them sat at the table, her in one chair and him in the other across the round table and the two of them sat there and talked as they ate.


“So…do you maybe want to do something tomorrow? Like outside of the orphanage?”


“I have to work Bri… and so do you.”


“Not all day… we work in the morning and then we have the entire afternoon off until 5:00 when we have to be back there for our night shift. I asked Brooke Ry so don’t even tell me you have stuff to do. She says you’re there too much and if you don’t take a break she’s going to be forced to make you do it.”


“What would we do?” Riley asked softly, as she knows she’s not getting away with working the entire day tomorrow whether she would like to or not.


“Well…maybe we can go have a picnic on the beach for lunch…and walk around the mall too. How long has it been since we’ve done that?”


“Forever…it does sound kind of nice.”


“Then let’s do it. Please? You know that you want to.” Brian begged and Riley nodded her approval making Brian grin in satisfaction at his accomplishment. She couldn’t help but feel a little glad that Brian had talked her into it. She hasn’t been able to really do anything fun at all since he’s been gone on tour. Her husband never wants to do anything with her. It will be kind of nice to get out for a change.

Chapter Seven:


The next morning Nick opened his eyes to find himself still lying in Ashley’s bed with her snuggled up next to him but Dakota, his little early bird was of course already awake and gone. He looked down at Ashley expecting to find her still sleeping but he discovered that she was very much awake and was just lying there looking up at him. Their eyes met, his blue ones staring into her chocolate brown ones and he smiled at her making her smile back. He could get used to this… waking up to her lying next to him every morning, her beautiful face being the first thing he sees when he opens his eyes.


“Hey you….did you sleep okay?” he asked her, as he wrapped his arm more around her and pulled her closer to him. She rested her head against his chest.


“Yeah I did…it was nice.” She answered softly.


“That’s good. Did you happen to see my Little Early Bird wake up this morning by any chance?”


“Yeah she did about an hour ago. I felt her moving and woke up just on time to see her crawl out of bed and leave the room headed in the direction of the elevator.”


“What time was that at?” He asked, still feeling a little bit sleepy and he looked at the clock to see that it was nine in the morning.


“At about eight o’ clock.”


“Hmm…well shall we go see what’s going on downstairs? We slept through breakfast already but I bet I could get us some muffins or something. Yesterday’s events must’ve really worn us out eh?”


“Yeah it did. I’m not that hungry though so a muffin sounds nice….”


“Okay, lets go then.” He replied, and he got up and she sat up in bed and looked at him. He offered her his hand and she took it.


“Lets see how you are on walking honey… it’s been a couple of days you should be starting to get better enough to where you can start getting around by yourself a little more.” He carefully pulled her out of bed and then let go of her hand but he kept his arm behind her ready to help her if she should lose her balance. She began to walk toward the door with him close to her side. They left her room and went down to the elevator and Nick didn’t have to help her at all along the way. When they got down to the lobby and stepped out of the elevator they found Brian and Riley standing there. Riley had just finished talking to a couple of children and they were just running off.


“Hey Nicky,” Brian greeted and then he looked at Ashley. “Wow Ash…it’s good to see you walking on your own, are you feeling better?” Ashley grinned proudly and nodded.


“I’m happy that I get to be a little more independent now. My injuries are starting to heal up quite a bit.”



“I’ll bet you’re. I’m happy for you sweetie.” Ashley looked at Nick and he smiled at her. She moved closer to him still feeling a little shy around Brian and she slid her hand into his. Sensing her shyness he squeezed her hand gently letting her know that everything was okay, than he looked at Riley.


“You two slept late. You even missed breakfast. I’ve never seen that happen before…at least not with Nick anyway.”


“Yeah, Ash and I have reached the conclusion that it was yesterday’s events that caused us to sleep in. We had a pretty eventful day I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of people slept in longer than usual.”


“Actually I think you two might be right. The cafeteria did seem a little emptier than usual.”


“But of course not Dakota. My little early bird never sleeps in for anything. Do you know where she’s at?” he asked, looking slightly thrown off. He had expected to see her hanging around Brian and/or Riley but when he didn’t it confused him.


“She’s in a meeting with Brooke…” Riley answered, her voice softening and Nick suddenly noticed her becoming very interested in the pattern in the carpet. He looked at Brian confused and saw that he looked just as uncomfortable as Riley.


“….What’s going on? What meeting?” He asked, and he felt Ashley stiffen beside him. Something isn’t right. She knows something isn’t right and she hopes to god it isn’t what she was scared would happen for quite some time now. Dakota is just too cute not to be noticed by parents seeking to adopt children.


“Well…Nick…don’t get upset or anything nothing’s final right now. But…um…you know that interview you and Brian did last night after the concert?”


“Yeah…what about it? What does that have to do with my Dakota?”


“Well…” Brian started this time when he noticed Riley look at Brian for help with this part. “It was on the news…and uh, well, there’s really no easier way to put this so I’m just going to come right out and say it. A couple saw her on TV this morning and fell completely in love with her. So they came in this morning and asked if they could meet her. Brooke and Riley both asked them several times if they maybe wanted to meet some of the other children first in hopes to lure them away from Dakota but they insisted on seeing Dakota. So they’re in Brooke’s office right now talking to her…” Nick’s heart broke at Brian’s words and it felt like the wind had just been knocked out of him. Just looking into the eyes of his best friend, Brian knows Nick is not taking this very well at all just as he had feared.


“Oh…well t-that’s great,” Nick replied, putting on a fake smile and Brian and Riley exchanged looks of worry between each other. “Dakota will finally have a family. Just like she had always wanted” He added, trying his very hardest to be strong. He knows that he has to be strong for Dakota. He knows in his heart that she needs this more than anything. It’s what’s best for her. And he loves her and will do anything to see that she gets the best. Suddenly the door to Brooke’s office opened and out came Brooke, the couple that Riley and Brian were talking about, and an upset Dakota trailing behind them. She doesn’t appear to be upset, but just looking at her Nick knows that she is. Nick looked quickly away from Dakota not wanting to see how upset she is. If he sees how upset she is it will make it much harder for him to be strong for her. He instead looked at the parents. He looked them over carefully making sure they’re really the perfect parents for his little angel. The woman was about 5’7 and she has long brown hair that reaches just a bit past her shoulders and dark brown eyes. She’s wearing a white tank top and a pair of blue jeans and she’s wearing black and white converse shoes. She looks like a nice enough mommy for Dakota. The man beside her looks almost six feet tall, and he’s very thin. He’s wearing a black t-shirt and some blue denim shorts. He’s got brown eyes, he’s bald, and he has a goatee. Kind of reminds him of AJ a little bit. He’s got tattoos and his lip is pierced. He looks like a nice man though.


“Hey Brooke…what’s going on? Who are they?” Nick asked, pretending he doesn’t know what’s going on and waiting to be introduced. He wants to meet them and talk to them. He wants to get to know them before they decide to take Dakota. But just looking into his eyes Brooke knows he knows exactly what is going on and she knows he’s not happy at all. She feels so horrible for him.


“Hey Nick… this is Mr. and Mrs. Parson and they’re thinking about adopting Dakota.” Brooke introduced, being sure to emphasize the word ‘thinking‘. “Mr. and Mrs. Parson, this is Nick. He’s been Dakota’s caregiver since she was just three days old,“ She went on with her introduction. Hearing it for the second time was even harder for Nick to bear but he sucked it up the best he could and gave Brooke the fakest smile he could possibly give and she saw right through it.


“It’s nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Parson. You won’t regret it if you decide to adopt her…she’s the sweetest little girl ever and very loving…she’s my little angel.”


“Well we’re still thinking about it right now but it’s looking very good,” Mr. Parson replied, smiling down at Dakota and she smiled back but Nick who only glanced at her for a short minute noticed it was fake. “We just need to go home and talk about it with our son. He’s in school right now or else we would have brought him with us. He still doesn’t know about her as we saw the news right after we had gotten back from dropping him off.”


“Well don’t take too long in your decision… you won’t regret having her.” Nick replied.


“We won’t,” Mrs. Parson replied, and she looked at Dakota as did her husband.


“We’ll be back with our decision tomorrow Dakota. See you soon okay?”


“Kay…” Dakota replied softly and they looked at Brooke.


“Bye Mr. and Mrs. Parson,” She replied, smiling politely at them. “See you tomorrow.” She added and they nodded and walked toward the door. As soon as they were gone and out the door Dakota looked up at Nick, now letting her tears fall.


“They’re NOT adopting me!” she shouted.


“Why baby? They’re really nice people…weren’t they? They looked nice to me.” Nick insisted as he tried his very hardest to hold back his tears and he crouched down in front of her, finally really looking at her for the first time.


“Because I don’t want them to! I don’t want to go live with them Nicky, I don’t!”


“Why not? You would finally have a family Dakota. A mommy and a daddy…and even a little brother. Isn’t that what you wanted?” he asked gently.


“Yeah and they said that you would have your own room, your own play set out in the backyard, and even a puppy.” Brooke added.


“A puppy? That’s great! You have always wanted a puppy Dakota.”


“But I wants you more…” Dakota replied softly, even more tears falling from her eyes now and she looked up at Nick pleadingly. Nick’s heart broke even more at these words.


“I know sweetie… but the Parson’s are what’s best for you. You have to go with them so that you will finally have a family. You have always wanted a family and it’s finally happening. Don’t you remember all those times when families would come in looking to adopt and they picked all the other kids around you but never even looked at you? Remember how sad you were? This is finally your chance…”


“They’re NOT what’s best for me.” Dakota replied, becoming slightly angry toward Nick. “You’re Nicky. I want YOU to adopt me!” Nick looked a little taken aback at her words and he sat there staring at her in shock. He sat there just looking at her in silence for a couple of minutes and he finally let the tears he had been holding back the entire time fall.


“Kota sweetie…I can’t adopt you…” He answered after awhile, his voice so soft it’s amazing that everyone in the lobby had even heard him.


“WHY NOTS???” Dakota asked, and she finally began to really cry. “You’re already pretty much my daddy anyway!”


“Because you deserve someone way better… someone way better than me.”


“There isn’t anyone better than you Nicky. You’re all I’ve ever known!” Dakota argued. Nick sighed heavily.


“Honey, you deserve a mommy and daddy,” he stated gently. “It’s just me - I have no mommy to give you…. And I am hardly ever home. I am on the road constantly and when I am not on the road I am always here working. I go home maybe once every week just to get more clothes and then come right back here. I practically live in your room Dakota. That’s no life for you. For a four year old… you need a stable home with a mommy and daddy… and a backyard to play in. And right now I can’t give you that.”


"I don'ts wants that!" Dakota exclaimed. "All I wants is YOU Nicky!!!!"


“I know that honey… but you deserve so much better. I only want what’s best for you and I will do anything to see that you get what’s best for you. What’s best for you is the Parsons. You don’t understand now but some day you will. I love you so much… but no. I can’t adopt you.”


“I’ll run away if you let them take me! I wills!”


“No you won’t baby…I know that you won’t. The Parsons are a nice loving family and as soon as you go home with them and meet your new brother, and see the playground in your backyard, and your new room, and your puppy you will forget all about being angry with me. You will see that I love you and I was only trying to give you what you deserve.”


“You don’t loves me!” Dakota accused. “You’re a liar!”


“I do too love you baby. I wouldn’t lie about that. If only you know how hard it is to give you up…” Nick insisted, his voice cracking.


“If you really loved me you wouldn’t gives me up EVER!”


“Sometimes when you really love someone… you just have to let them go. I know that you don’t understand that right now…and it’s okay because you’re still really young but you’re going to some day.”


“NO I won’ts! I will never understand Nicky. GO AHEAD Lets me go! But just know that I HATES you!” she yelled at him.


“I know you don’t mean that…”


“Yes I do!” She demanded angrily, and she took her charm bracelet that he had given her off and she threw it at him.


“Dakota…”


“LEAVE ME ALONE!” She cried, and she turned and ran toward the elevator. She got to it just as someone was coming out of it and ran into it and pushed the button to her floor. Nick watched as the elevator door closed, than he looked down at the bracelet on the floor. He picked it up and stared at it for a couple of minutes, as he finally really let his tears fall.


“Nick….buddy…are you okay?” Brian asked softly as he’s almost crying himself. Nick didn’t answer. He only stood up and he angrily kicked a box of papers that was nearby and he ran out of the orphanage. He needed to get out. He needed to get away where people wouldn’t see him cry. As far as he knows he’s doing the right thing. He’s doing what he thinks is best for his angel. So why does he feel so horrible? Brian sighed and he looked at Riley and Ashley, the both of them standing there in tears. Ashley standing there feeling angry inside. How could Nick just let her go? How can he be so stupid? Sure he is doing what he thinks is best for her but in reality it’s NOT what’s best. There is nobody in this world who can love Dakota as much as Nick does. She practically is his all he has to do is make it official. Anyone who ever watched them together could see that. So why is he being so stupid?


“Do you think he will really let her go?” Riley asked softly, looking at Brian for answers.


“I don’t know…but I’m going to go talk to him. I’ll be right back…” Brian replied and he turned and went after Nick. He went outside to see him sitting on the curb of the sidewalk, his face in his hands and he is sobbing. All the emotions he held in when trying to be strong for Dakota coming out. Brian went and sat next to Nick and he wrapped his arm around his shoulder. Knowing that it’s Brian, Nick leaned into him and cried harder. Brian wrapped both arms around him and hugged him tight just letting him get it all out. After a long while when Nick had calmed down enough to talk Brian finally spoke.


“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked him gently.


“Why does it have to be so hard Brian?” Nick asked after a couple of minutes, and he looked up at his best friend. “Why does it have to be so hard to do what’s best for her?”


“Because you love her Nick… and it’s never easy to let go of someone that you love more than life.”


“But I have to… I have to do what’s best for her and that’s it Bri… The Parson’s are what’s best for her. Right?”


“Are you sure that’s what’s best for her Nick?”


“Yeah… I mean what other option is there? I can’t possibly adopt her…I could never give her what she truly needs.”


“Are you sure? Because I could’ve sworn you’ve already given her everything that she truly needs…”


“She needs a mother Bri…and I can’t give her that. All the girls I date turn out to be money hungry girls who just use me until they‘ve gotten what they wanted and then they‘re gone. And I don’t want Dakota to have to go through that. It’s already hard enough on me. She would get close to the girl and then one day she’ll leave me and it’ll affect her too.”


“All the more reason for you to change the type of girls you date Nick…I mean they can’t be that hard to spot anymore these days can they? You’ve dated them enough to know better. Just don’t date those kind of girls and you will be fine.”


“But that’s not the only problem here. I am hardly ever home. I am always on the road with the Backstreet Boys, and I am always on the move. And when I’m not on the road I am here working. I barley even go home when I’m here even. I practically live here at the orphanage. That’s no life for a four year old is it? I can’t force her to grow up like that…I want her childhood to be as normal as possible. And what about management? What about the fans? What would they think? Lou already doesn’t approve of her right now and she’s not even really mine. Think about what he would do if I actually adopted her, Bri.”

“He can’t really do anything, buddy. Not anymore. You’re twenty years old that makes you an adult. You can make your own decisions. If he tells you that you can’t have Dakota then I will threaten to quit the band. And I’m pretty sure Kevin would throw a huge fit too. And no one wins when you make Kevin angry. You of all people should know that. And as for the fans…we’ll worry about that when the time comes. They’ll get used to it. They’ll learn to love her. Who doesn’t love Dakota?? Ashley even loves her! She was the first person out of this entire building to get her trust. It’s hard NOT to love Dakota. And the fans love you no matter what you do. The real ones do anyway…the real ones will always have your back - even with Dakota in the picture. They’ve supported you this far haven’t they? You’ve had her since she was just three days old Nick and they already know about her and you don’t see us losing fans left and right do you?”


“No but -”


“- If you adopt her you will just be making it official. She’s already pretty much your daughter anyway; you just have to claim her. There is no one in this entire world who could love Dakota as much as you do. The guys and I have been watching you with her for four years now and none of us can even begin to imagine what it’s like to see you without her. I have to admit that in the beginning we didn’t think you could do it. At the time you were an annoying 16 year old little brat who was always pulling pranks on everyone and all you cared about was Nintendo. But you proved us wrong. She’s changed you over the years, you’ve become so much more mature over the years - still the annoying 20 year old who likes to pull pranks - and loves Nintendo a lot but when it comes to taking care of Dakota you know when to become serious. You love her Nick, and she loves you and is pretty well-behaved because of you. Make it official, it’s about time.”


“I-I don’t know…” Nick replied softly, as he looks down at the charm bracelet in his hand. “I need to think about it for awhile…”


“Well don’t take too long thinking about it Nick…you only have until tomorrow. In the mean time….if you’re okay I’m going to go in and find Riley. It’s noon and time for our break and we’ve got plans. So I will see you later on tonight okay?” Nick nodded quietly not taking his eyes off the charm bracelet. Brian looked at him for a couple of minutes, and then he got up and walked back into the Orphanage.

Chapter Eight:



Nick remained out on the curb just thinking about things until Brian and Riley came out holding hands. He looked up at them as they came outside.


“Nick…I know that you’re upset and all…but Ashley is in there by herself.”


“I know…” Nick replied softly. “I’ll go in there now. She’ll be okay…”


“Okay…” Riley replied and she looked up at Brian.


“Come on,” Brian said softly and he led her away toward his car. Nick sighed and then wiped his tears away before standing up and going back inside. When he got in there he didn’t see Ashley standing in the lobby so the only other place she would be is her room. He went and got in the elevator and pushed the button to her floor, than the door closed. Once he was up there he headed to her room. He peeked inside to see her sitting up in her bed writing. Seeing that she’s okay he went next door to Dakota and he peeked in her room. She’s lying in bed staring at the wall and Nick could hear her sniffling. He went inside and she could see his shadow on her wall but she just remained right where she was pretending she doesn’t notice him. He crawled into the bed behind her and wrapped an arm around her and he lay there delicately playing with her hair. She made no reaction what-so-ever except letting a tear fall and he wiped it away and kissed her cheek.


“I love you Dakota…so very much.” He told her and she still didn’t reply. That’s not what she wants to hear. She wants to hear him say that he’s not letting her go. She wants to hear him say that he’s going to adopt her. And until he does, she’s not speaking to him. “Just know that no matter what happens baby….I will always love you. Always…” he added. He needs her to know that. He needs her to know that whatever his decision may be he will love her no matter what. She is his pride n joy. She is his everything and nothing in this world could ever change that. But is he really capable of being her father? That he doesn’t know. He’s terrified beyond belief. He’s terrified of being the one person Dakota depends on. EveRi thing was fine when he had the Orphanage to lean on. He knew that he could always count on them to take care of Dakota when he couldn’t. But if he adopted her she would be ALL his. She would be HIS responsibility and he couldn’t rely on the Orphanage to take over when things got hard. And that really terrifies him. What if he screws up? What if he turns out to be just like his own parents? That terrifies him even more. He’ll be damned before he ever screws Dakota up as bad as his parents screwed him up. He’ll be damned before he ever forces her to live on her own by the time she is 16. Was it really true? Do kids really turn out to be just like their parents when they have their own children? That would be horrible. But then again… he does have the other guys to help him out. Brian did say they would always be there for him. They would kill him before he ever did anything to screw Dakota up. Especially Kevin. They love her almost as much as he does…Almost. Brian is right. There is no one in this world that loves her as much as he does. He definitely loves her more than the Parsons he knows that for sure. He has known her longer. And they don’t know the first thing about fighting the monsters away at night when she wakes up screaming. Dakota wakes up screaming for him in the middle of the night. Almost every night. Though she hadn’t been doing it the last couple of nights when they’ve been in Ashley’s room. For reasons he has no clue… but he just knows she would start right back up again her first night staying there. And they wouldn’t know how to get her to stop. Not the way he does it anyway. He knows that no one could ever replace the way he is with his baby girl. His angel. He’ll be damned before he lets anyone even try it. He wants Dakota. He wants to adopt her. He wants to keep her for himself. But that part in his heart that makes him afraid is holding him back. He doesn’t know what to do. He feels so helpless. He lay there just watching her for a long while and thinking about things and when she had fallen asleep after an hour he kissed her cheek and crawled out of bed. He covered her up and he went and decided he would go ask Ashley for advice. She’s pretty good at giving him advice. She’s been giving him a lot of advice lately and it has helped him big time. It’s pretty funny when you think about it… because it’s supposed to be the other way around. Him the caregiver, her the patient.


“Hey…” he spoke softly when he walked into her room to find her still sitting in her bed writing. She looked up at him and then back down at her notebook and she didn’t reply. He went and sat next to her.


“What are you writing?” He asked her curiously.


“Nothing… just some stuff.” She answered, and she scooted away from him so he couldn’t see and went right back to her writing as if he isn’t there.


“Is something wrong?” Ashley shrugged.


“Honey why are you pulling away from me again all of the sudden?” Ashley looked up at him again, and really looked at him for the first time since he had walked in and she glared at him. This glare being way worse than the one she had given him the day they had met and he pissed her off. He knows he’s in trouble.


“Are you mad at me?”


“What do you think Nick?”


“Look…please don’t push me out because of this. I already feel like shit enough as it is…I came to you in hopes that you would help me.”


“You don’t need any help at all in adopting Dakota, Nick. You know how to sign the papers you’re a big boy, you can do that all on your own. So why don’t you quit being a baby and go do it?”


“It’s not that simple.”


“Yes it is! It’s more then simple. She’s already yours all you have to do is go and sign the papers and make it official! How is that hard?”


“Because I am terrified okay? I am terrified beyond belief at the thought that Dakota would be all mine. She would be MY responsibility and I am scared of screwing her up! I am scared that I am not capable. Yeah, people keep telling me that I am but how do they know? I’ve had the Orphanage here to help me for the past four years. If I adopt Dakota I am completely on my own. And I’m afraid that I couldn’t be the father that Dakota needs! …that she deserves.”


“If you would open your goddamn eyes Nick you would see that you’re already the father Dakota needs and deserves! I may have only been here for a short time but it doesn’t take a genius to see what the two of you have! You have been her father since day three Nick, and she’s turned out pretty good so far hasn’t she? And that was all your doing, not the orphanage’s. You raised her. You turned her into the beautiful, sweet, and caring little girl that she is now, YOU did. All they did was provide her with a home and you did all the rest. She depends on YOU. It’s you that she wakes up screaming for in the middle of the night, it’s you that she goes to when she is scared or upset, or being bullied by Josh, it’s you that she goes to for all her hugs, it’s you she goes to when she needs love and you’re always there with open arms to give it to her. You love her and she loves you shouldn’t that be enough?”


“Of course I love her but she needs more than that! She needs a mother and I can’t give that to her right now. She needs a stable home and with the career I have, that’s not going to happen any time soon. She needs a normal childhood just like any other child.”


“Dakota doesn’t care if she has a mother right now or if she has her own home to live in all that matters to her is you. She could be living in a shack for all she knew and it wouldn’t matter as long as you were right there living in it with her. That’s the best thing about children. They love you unconditionally no matter what the situation is. Sure you can’t give her those things right now but you can give her love, security, and your last name and that would be good enough. Maybe someday when the time comes you will be able to give her all those other things. But that’s going to take time and there’s no rush.”


“If I adopt her we would be living right here in this orphanage.”



“So what? You’ve been doing that for four years why should that be a problem now? She’s comfortable here… ignoring the small fact that Josh bullies her constantly but other than that this is her home. This is all she’s ever known. So there you go Nick…you’ve given her a stable home.”


“I just…I just need time to think things over before I really decide anything…” Ashley sighed heavily.


“What time Nick? You have until tomorrow. Tomorrow is the day. If you don’t get your ass in gear you’re going to lose her forever. You will never ever get to see her again. Are you prepared to lose her forever?”


“No…” Nick answered softly, as tears rolled down his cheek. Ashley sat there looking at him for a couple of minutes not knowing what else she could say. She’s pretty much said all that there was needed to be said and Brian probably said the exact same thing. But he needed to hear the cold hard truth, not the sugarcoated version that she knows Brian probably gave him. She is not going to sugarcoat anything. She loves the man in front of her but he is being downright stupid right now and if he lets that little girl in the next room that he loves more than anything go then she will never ever talk to him again so help her god. She sighed quietly and then scooted closer to him and she slid her arms around his neck and pulled him close for a hug. He wrapped his arms around her waist in return and hugged her back.


“I care very deeply about you Nick… you’ve done so much for me and sometimes I feel like I don’t even deserve you because of how great you’re. You’re the first person who has ever made me feel this safe in the past five years. But if you let that little girl in there that you love so much go…then you’re an asshole and it’ll be all your fault and I won’t speak to you ever again. Adopt her Nicky…everything’s going to be okay I promise.” Nick didn’t reply, he only hugged her closer.


~*~*~*~*~*~


“So what should we pick up for lunch? We’ll take it to the beach with us and have it there. It’s a nice day to have a picnic.” Brian questioned, as the two of them had left Ramsey and were driving down the road and looking at the many fast food places.


“Hmm… Panda Express sounds good. I haven’t had that in awhile.” Riley answered as she spotted one up ahead.


“Okay,” Brian replied and he drove into the parking lot of Panda Express. When he found a parking space he parked the car and the two of them got out. Brian waited for Riley to come around to his side and he took her hand into his and brought her into Panda Express. The two of them ordered a family meal and got a variety of different things. Orange Chicken, fried rice, chow mien, egg rolls, and a few other things that Riley requested him to get. While Brian was waiting to pay he noticed Riley starting to get her money out to help and he took her hand into his stopping her.


“Nuh uh, don’t even think about it. I’m paying.” He told her.


“But Brian I -” Riley started to protest.


“- Riley no. Lunch is on me today.”


“But really Bri-”


“- God you’re stubborn,” Brian laughed and Riley smiled at him innocently.


“Yeah but you love me anyway.” she told him, smiling proudly. ‘Yeah, I do. More then you know’ Brian thought. Suddenly it was their turn to pay and the man behind the counter handed Brian cups. He turned to Riley and handed them to her before she even had the time to try and get her money out.


“Here Ri, why don’t you go get us some drinks? I’ll have a coke.” Riley scowled at him and he just smirked.


“Oh alright,” she gave in and she turned and walked off to the soda fountain rolling her eyes on her way there.


“And don’t you be rolling those eyes at me, woman!” he called after her, knowing her all to well.


“Who me?” she asked innocently, and then started to get the sodas. Brian shook his head grinning and he turned his attention back to the patient man waiting for him to find him standing there watching the two in amusement. Riley looked at Brian and saw him talking to the man at the counter. She smirked and turned and looked at Brian’s empty cup and the choices of sodas that there are. Suddenly while looking, she noticed a fake spider sitting on the counter - how in the hell it got there is beyond her. Probably some kid left it behind or something. She smirked and placed the toy into Brian’s cup and then filled it up with ice and coke like he had requested. Then she put the lid on it and put a straw in the drink. Next she got her a dr pepper. By the time she was done getting her own drink, Brian was standing beside her. She handed him his drink.


“Careful, I may have spit in it.” She warned playfully and he giggled.


“OH haha, very funny.” Riley just smirked and she grabbed her dr pepper and walked toward the door. He raised his eyebrow curiously, but then shrugged it off and followed with the bag of food in his hand. They walked out to Brian’s parked car and got inside it, and Brian drove them to the beach. When they got there they noticed that hardly anyone is there. Just a mother and her two children. The mother is sitting on a blanket under an umbrella and she is reading a book and her two children are playing in the water near by her. Brian smiled at the fact that the beach is pretty much empty. Perfect. The two of them got out of the car, Riley now holding the food and Brian a blanket in his hand and they chose a spot to set up their picnic at.


~*~*~*~*~*~


“NICKY!! NO NICKY PLEASE DON’T LEAVE ME, PLEASE!!!” Nick, who was still in Ashley’s room now watching TV with her, heard Dakota scream next door and then start crying. He jumped up from the bed and immediately ran next door to find his angel now sitting up in bed. Her eyes barely open, her hair now a mess from sleeping, and she’s drenched in sweat from her nightmare. Nick’s heart broke at how a complete mess she is and what hurts the most is that he’s the one who made her that way. He then went and crawled into bed with her and he pulled her into his arms and hugged her close as he cradles her and he began to rock her gently.


“It’s okay baby…it’s okay I’m here. I’m right here…” He told her gently. She slid her arms around his neck and held onto him tightly in fear that if she doesn’t hold on tight enough he is going to leave her forever.


“Don’ts leave me Nicky, please…don’ts let them take me I don’ts want them I really don’ts!” Nick didn’t reply, he only held her close as tears roll down his own cheeks and he rested his forehead against hers as he sat there just rocking her. After a long while she calmed down some but she never loosened up her hold on Nick. He lay back against her pillows with her upon his chest and he covered the two of them up and he just lay there with her and holding her. Not planning to move at all if he can help it. He hugged her tight and kissed the top of her head and he just lay there watching her until she soon went back to sleep. After awhile he suddenly noticed a concerned Ashley appear in the doorway and he looked at her before looking back down at his sleeping angel. He hugged her tighter and rubbed his hand over her back. Ashley went further into the room and she went and crawled into bed beside him. He held the covers up for her and she lay down next to him, resting her head against his shoulder and she wrapped an arm around Dakota.


“Please don’t lecture me right now…I’m really not in the mood…” Nick pleaded.


“I wasn’t planning on it,” Ashley replied softly and she kissed his cheek. “I have nothing more to say Nicky. You already know what you need to do.” Nick didn’t say anything else, he only rested forehead against Dakota’s and he lay there in silence just rubbing her back and the two of them soon fell asleep too. Little did they know, Brooke was standing behind the door just listening. She had heard Ashley and Nick arguing earlier too. She had gone to check on them several times since Riley wasn’t there to do it. Just listening to his and Ashley’s argument, and then watching Dakota wake up from a nightmare Brooke knew what she had to do. She turned around and walked back toward the elevator headed to go to her office so that she could think about her plan all the way through.



~*~*~*~*~*~


Later on that day Riley and Brian walked into the Orphanage ready to start their night shift and they saw Doctor Adams and Doctor Johnson standing in the lobby.


“Hey guys, how was your afternoon off?” Doctor Johnson asked, grinning when he saw Riley smiling from ear to ear. The first real smile he has seen on her in ages.


“Pretty good, except for the part where Riley put a fake spider in my drink,” Brian complained and Riley just giggled.


“A fake spider? Where on earth did she get a fake spider?” Doctor Johnson asked curiously.


“At Panda Express. I was filling up mine and Brian’s drinks and since he was being a pain in the butt I decided I would get him back for it. I saw a fake spider sitting on the counter that a little kid must’ve left behind and put it in his drink.” Riley explained.


“And THEN, later on as we were window shopping at the little shops along the beach I took a drink and all of the sudden felt something weird fall into my mouth. It wasn’t cold so I knew it wasn’t ice, and it definitely wasn’t my coke. So I spit it into my hand and realized it was a spider - at first I wasn’t paying attention and thought it was real and totally freaked out in front of everybody. Riley was just standing there laughing the entire time as I embarrassed myself.” Doctor Johnson and Doctor Adams both burst into laughter at Brian’s story and Brian’s entire face turned into a shade of red for the second time that day. Riley giggled once more.


“Wow Brian that is the second time today you’ve turned red. You’re kind of sexy when you blush you know that?” She teased. Brian looked at her with narrowed eyes but she knows he’s just playing with her as they’ve been joking around all day long.


“Watch it you. There may not be an ocean for me to throw you into this time but there IS a swimming pool!” he threatened and Riley just laughed some more.


“You’re pretty sexy when you’re threatening me too.”


“ANY way,” Brian replied, hoping to direct the subject away from him.


“Where is Frack? Is he okay?”


“He’s upstairs with Ashley and Dakota. They’ve been sleeping all day,” a familiar voice answered behind them, and Riley and Brian turned to see Brooke coming up to them. “I’ve been going up there every now and then to check on them. He and Ashley had a huge argument earlier about him adopting Dakota. They didn’t know I was listening. Then an hour later when I had gone back up there to check on them again Dakota woke up screaming from a nightmare. Nick ran in and comforted her and got her to go back to sleep and then Ashley ended up going in there later and crawling into bed with them and the two of them went to sleep too and have been that way all day.”


“Oh…” Brian replied softly, as he is worried about his best friend.


“Ri come with me please, I want to talk to you about something in my office.”


“Everything okay?” Riley asked worriedly.


“Yeah, fine. I just need your help with something,” Brooke answered reassuringly and she turned and headed toward their office. Riley leaned up and kissed Brian’s cheek, than she turned and followed Brooke into her office and she shut the door behind her.


~*~*~*~*~*~


The next day Nick woke up bright in early - six o’clock to be exact and he found himself still in his and Dakota’s bed, but Dakota like always gone and Ashley still beside him. Nick raised his eyebrow and looked at the alarm clock to see that it’s six o’ clock in the morning and the sun is pouring brightly through the window shades. ‘Did we really sleep all day and all night?’ he asked himself. He kissed Ashley’s forehead and then slowly crawled out of bed and he headed downstairs to the lobby. Once down there he didn’t find Riley and Brian standing there like usual but he knew they would probably be in the cafeteria by now setting it up for breakfast. He went in there and he found only Riley, Dakota, and Doctor Johnson in there setting up tables.


“Good morning Nick,” Riley greeted him when she saw him come in and doctor Johnson looked up at him too.


“I guess,” Nick grumbled, and he kissed Riley’s cheek before looking over at Dakota. She’s sitting on her usual stool at the island and she is coloring. Riley wasn’t surprised by his grumpiness, she knows he’s upset.


“Where is Brian?” he asked.


“In the playroom with the kids…Hannah and Rochelle conned him into playing dress up with them.” She answered, and couldn’t help but smile a little bit.


“That’s cool…” Nick replied, and he went over to Dakota and sat in the stool next to her.


“Morning baby…” He greeted her gently. Dakota didn’t reply, she only continued to sit there coloring and she pretended that he wasn’t there. He kissed her forehead softly and raked his fingers through her hair as he sat there watching her, than he got up and decided he would help set up the tables. Riley exchanged worried looks with Doctor Johnson. She is really starting to get scared that he isn’t going to adopt her. Doctor Johnson gave her a reassuring look and hoped to god himself that it wasn’t for nothing. Nick went about doing his morning routine, helping set up the cafeteria and getting it ready for breakfast. Then they let the kids in and they had breakfast. Dakota sat at the grownup table but she refused to sit next to Nick. Instead she sat on the other side of Ashley who also wasn’t really talking much. She just kept looking over at Nick quizzically, wondering what he was planning on doing. After breakfast was over and all of the kids had gone off to do their own thing Riley looked at Nick.


“Nick, you’re coming into the playroom with Bri and me today for playroom duty. Bring Ashley with you” was all she said. Nick nodded and followed Riley and Brian in there with Ashley at his side and Dakota trailed behind them with her coloring book and crayons. She may be mad at Nick and refusing to talk to him but she’s not going to leave him out of her sight for ANYTHING if she can help it. When they got in the playroom Nick went off and sat at the play dough table with a bunch of little kids bringing Ashley with him and Brian gathered a bunch of kids in a circle and began to read them a story. Riley sat at the puzzle table and Dakota lay in the middle of the floor minding her own business where she continued her coloring. After an hour had gone by of this happening, Brooke walked in with The Parsons at her side.


“Dakota sweetie…the Parsons are here. They’ve decided to adopt you.” Brooke answered, smiling at Dakota. Dakota looked up at them and then she got up leaving her coloring book and crayons on the floor. She saw that Brooke had already done her packing for her.


“Ready to go?” Dakota took one last look at Nick hoping he would jump up and stop them but when she saw that he was making himself look busy with the other kids she forced herself to hold back her tears as she looked up at Brooke and nodded.


“Okay, well the Parsons still have a few forms to fill out. So we’re going to go into my office first,” Brooke explained to Dakota but she made sure to make eye contact with Nick as she did.


“Kay,” Dakota replied, and she began to follow them out of the playroom. When they were out in the lobby Brooke led them all into her office. When they got in there she looked at the Parsons and Dakota.


“There are three chairs for you to sit down, go ahead and make yourselves comfortable.” She told them politely gesturing toward the chairs. The Parsons sat down in two of the chairs and Dakota sat in the third one closest to Brooke. She sat back in her chair and hugged her legs to her chest and she looked at Brooke sadly and with a look on her face like she is going to cry. Brooke saw this and she winked at Dakota before pulling out a few papers. Dakota raised her eyebrow but she didn’t say anything, she only continued to watch as Brooke began to explain the papers to The Parsons.


~*~*~*~*~*~


Meanwhile in the playroom, Nick continued to sit at the play dough table with the kids but by now he wasn’t paying much attention to them and neither was Ashley. She was only sitting there staring at him with disgust as he just sat there staring off into space toward the direction that Dakota was at earlier. The now empty space on the floor where her coloring book and crayons still lie. Brian who saw the upset look on Nick’s face finished up on reading to the children, than he got up and went over to Nick and Ashley. He pulled up a chair beside Nick and sat down and he placed his hand on his shoulder interrupting his thoughts.


“It’s not too late for you to go after her you know,” he encouraged. “They’re in Brooke’s office. Go to them Nick…hurry. Before they sign the papers.”


“This is what’s best for her Brian…”


“No it’s not what’s best for her buddy and you know it. You know in your heart that it’s not what’s best for her. She needs you and you need her. So go to her now before you lose her forever and regret it for the rest of your life.”


“Think about how broken up she was yesterday when she woke up from that nightmare Nick. Think about how terrified it made her thinking that she was going to lose you forever. Remember how scared and upset she was? Remember how much it pained you?” Ashley asked. “She’s going to be like that for the rest of her life if you let her go. You’re the most important person in her life and if you didn’t see that yesterday then you’re pretty stupid. Go to her Nick, hurry.”



~*~*~*~*~*~


“Do you have any questions, Mr. and Mrs. Parson?” Brooke asked the couple in front of her.


“No, not that we can think of...” They answered, looking at each other questioningly.


“Okay, well then I’m going to need you two to sign your names at the bottom here on the two lines that say signature.” She explained, placing a paper in front of them and a pen. “And then I will need to sign it to make it official and you two can be on your way with Dakota” Mr. and Mrs. Parson signed their names on the two lines that Brooke had said to sign them on, than they handed it back to her. Brooke took it and put it down on the counter and she took her pen and began to write her signature but she only got half way through it when she suddenly ‘remembered’ something.


“Oh I almost forgot!” she said quickly and she got up and went to her filing cabinet. The Parsons just sat there looking at her confused. She began to look through her files for Dakota’s folder. When she found it after awhile she turned and handed it to them.


“That’s Dakota’s files. It holds every important thing about Dakota in it that you will need to know.” She told them.


“Thank-you,” Mr. Parson said and Brooke nodded and went back to the adoption papers on her desk. She picked them up and looked back at the Parsons once again.


“Well here you go,” she told them and handed it to them.


~*~*~*~*~*~


After listening to Ashley and Brian’s encouraging words, Nick got up and went over to Dakota’s coloring book and crayons. He picked up her coloring book to look and see what she had been coloring and a ripped out paper suddenly slipped from it. Nick caught it in his hands dropping the coloring book on the floor during the process and he looked at it to see a picture of a man sitting in a rocking chair holding a little girl. Dakota had colored it in and made it look just like her and Nick and on the paper she had written ‘To Daddy, Love Dakota.” on it. Tears fell from his eyes as he read those four words and he suddenly craved so badly to hear Dakota say ‘I love you’ and ‘Daddy’ in the same sentence. Memories of all the times he had with Dakota flashed through his mind at that moment and it hit him: Dakota really is his little girl and he’s not about to let some couple steal her away from him. He suddenly dropped the paper to the floor and he turned around starting to head for the door to the lobby and he found Riley standing there behind him. She had been looking over his shoulder at the picture Dakota had colored as well.


“Move Riley, I need to go get my baby girl!” he demanded hurriedly and Riley shook her head.


“Go out the exit door Nick, they will be out in the parking lot by now and Brooke is with them. Hurry!” Nick turned around the other way and he darted toward the exit door not having to be told twice. He pushed it open and ran outside to see Brooke walking with the Parsons and talking to them about Dakota and Dakota trailing close behind them as she looks at the ground and he can tell from there that she is silently crying.


“WAIT! BROOKE STOP!” He shouted as he quickly ran after them. “PLEASE STOP, PLEASE!” He begged through tears, the desperate father side to him suddenly hitting him for the first time ever in Dakota’s entire four years of living as he is afraid he is going to lose her. Brooke, The Parsons, and Dakota all stopped where they were at.


“Nick…what are you doing out here?” Brooke asked confused as he finally approached them. He dropped to his knees in front of Dakota and he pulled her into his arms hugging her tightly.


“What’s going on?” Mr. Parson asked confused. “Why is he hugging our daughter?” Nick suddenly looked up at Mr. Parson and he held Dakota closer as he spoke to him firmly.


“She is not your daughter, she’s mine and I will not let you take her.”


“What are you talking about? Of course she is my daughter, I just adopted her.”


“I’m sorRi but you’re sadly mistaken Mr. Parson. She’s mine. I’m the one who found her in the dark ally abandoned in the garbage can, I’m the one who rushed her here and saved her life, I’m the one who raised her for the past four years, me. I’m the one she screams for in the middle of the night when she wakes up from her nightmares, I’m the one who fights all the bad guys away at night. She comes to me when she is scared, upset, lonely, or just needs to be loved, ME. I’m the one they used to call when I was on the road touring with The Backstreet Boys to tell me that Dakota was sick and I was the one that she needed. I was the one who rushed off the stage in the middle of a concert and flew all the way back here just to be with her and I would sit up all night rocking her until she felt better. She’s my little girl and if you take her away from me you will be taking the air from my lungs. Please Mr. Parson, please don’t take my baby girl away from me. I would have adopted her the minute I brought her here if I wasn’t sixteen at the time and not capable of it just yet, but I’m old enough now and more then ready. I would have spoken up sooner but apparently I’m incredibly stupid… and I was scared and it took a picture in a coloring book to bring me to my senses.” Mr. Parson looked to his wife not knowing what to do for a couple of minutes, than he looked at Nick.


“I’m sorry…but we already signed the adoption papers. It’s too late…” He told them and Nick’s heart broke at his words.


“Wait a minute honey…look.” Mrs. Parson said, showing him one of the papers. “Brooke didn’t finish signing hers.” Mr. and Mrs. Parson looked to Brooke who now looked incredibly confused.


“I didn’t? What? Of course I did…” she replied, and she moved beside them to look at the papers and prove them wrong but sure enough, there was only half of her signature there.


“Oh my gosh…I’m so sorry I can’t believe I did that. I really thought that I had signed it.”


“So what do we do now?” Mr. Parson asked softly, and he again looked to his wife for answers but she shrugged.


“I don’t know…”


“I think that it’s only fair if we let Dakota decide…” Brooke spoke up again, and she looked at Dakota who still stood in Nick’s arms as he is on his knees in front of her and she is holding onto him tightly. “Dakota sweetie…who do you want to adopt you? Nick or the Parsons? It’s all up to you.” Dakota looked at Nick as tears roll down her cheek and Nick sat down on his bottom in the middle of the parking lot in front of her and he turned her to face him and pulled her closer, his arms wrapped around her waist.


“Kota baby… I know that you’re angry with me for taking so long and almost giving you up, I know that you aren’t speaking to me. But just hear me out okay?” he asked her gently and he wiped away a falling tear from her cheek with his finger as he gazed into her blue eyes. “I love you so much Dakota…with all of my heart and you were right. I have been your daddy all a long…it just took me a bit longer to figure that out. You’re my little angel, my pride and joy, and you mean the whole world to me and I don’t want to ever lose you. I would never be able to forgive myself if I let you go.“


“But what about a mommy? You said you can’t’s be my daddy without a mommy. And you said that you’re never home…” Dakota asked softly and she sniffled a little bit from when she was crying.


“I know I said that honey and it’s true… I can’t give you a mommy right now but that’s okay. I will someday I can promise you that right there. And yes, I never go home but that’s okay too because we will live right here in the Orphanage… that’s if Brooke will still let us. We can turn your bedroom into our apartment and I will continue to work here and take care of Ashley. Are you okay with that sweetie? Are you okay with just having a daddy right now and living here? Please say yes baby… please give me another chance and I promise that I will be the best daddy ever.”


“You’re already the best daddy ever… and I loves you so much,” Dakota answered, and she threw her arms around him and began to cry all over again. Nick slid his arms around her waist and hugged her in return and he gently rubbed his hand over her back as he places soft kisses on her forehead. After awhile when she had calmed down he looked up at Brooke and The Parsons and Dakota rested her head against Nick’s shoulder and held onto him tightly as she looked at them as well.


“I’m sorRi Mr. and Mrs. Parson… you’re really nice peoples and all but I have a daddy right here and I love him so much.”


“It’s okay sweetie…we understand.” Mrs. Parson replied gently.


“There are plenty of other children in the Orphanage though if you two still want to adopt and I can promise you that none of my employees are attached to them.” Brooke offered.


“Maybe some other time…but not right now.” Mr. Parson replied and Brooke nodded. She watched as he took a hold of his wife’s hand and they went to their car. Nick stood up from sitting on the ground and he picked Dakota up and cuddled her close to him. She slid her arms around his neck and again rested her head against his shoulder. When the Parsons were in their car and were driving out of the parking lot Nick looked at Brooke and Brooke smiled at him as she wiped away her tears.


“You scared me for a minute there you know… I was beginning to think that I was actually going to have to say good bye to her.”


“Did you really accidentally not sign those papers Brooke?” Nick asked, as he rested his forehead against Dakota’s. Brooke looked at him innocently.


“Of course it was an accident. Do you know how much trouble Id be in if you hadn’t come running out here and stopped them from taking Dakota and they had gone home and later realized that the papers weren’t all the way signed?”


“Brooke…” Nick replied, looking at her with a knowing smile.


“What are you trying to do Nick, get me in trouble? I know better than to do stuff like that.” She replied but she winked at him. Nick laughed.


“Okay, okay.”


“Anyway, let’s go to my office and make Dakota officially yours so we never have this problem again shall we?” Nick nodded.


“Definitely,” he answered and he followed Brooke back into the Orphanage carrying Dakota’s bags with him as well. Doctor Johnson and all of the employees that were in the lobby looked at them as they came in and Doctor Johnson smiled happily when he saw that Nick was holding Dakota. Nick followed Brooke into her office closing the door behind him and he sat in one of the three chairs with Dakota in his lap.

Chapter Nine:



“So…you two are going to continue living in this Orphanage?” Brooke asked Nick curiously, after they had both signed the papers, Brooke signing them all the way through this time.


“Yeah…that is if you will let us.”


“Are you kidding me? This is your home Nick we wouldn’t have it any other way. To be honest, as much as I’ve been waiting on you to adopt Dakota I’ve also feared the day because I always thought that you were just here because of her. You’re one of my best employees…and a pretty good friend too and I don’t want you to stop coming here just because you’ve adopted Dakota.”


“Not a chance Brooke…I love this place too much I could never leave it. When I’m not on tour I spend more time here then I do at my house. I’ve been home maybe once since the day I came back. The kids are great…every single one of them and I’ve met some amazing friends here. And besides…if you think I could just leave Ashley like that you’re insane.” Brooke laughed.


“Yeah…but you didn’t always have Ashley. I’m talking about before she arrived.”


“And I honestly don’t know how I survived either.” Brooke laughed once more.


“Aww…Carter are we in love?”


“Noooo… I’m just saying the girl is excellent at advice. Sometimes I feel like we’ve switched roles. Her as the caregiver, and me the patient.”


“She is pretty good I was listening to your little argument yesterday. I came up to check on you and heard you talking so I stood outside her door and listened. But anyway I’m pretty impressed that you’ve gotten her to open up that much. Before you came a long we could barely get two words out of her and if we did she was shouting at someone and crying. She must really like you.”


“More than that’s. She loves him. And daddy loves her.” Dakota spoke up suddenly and Brooke smiled in amusement as Nick blushed.


“Is that so?” she asked.


“Uh-huh’s. He had Mrs. Allen make her a special breakfast the other day and he’s given her flowers twice so fars.”


“I was just being nice baby, that’s all. I was trying to earn her trust.”


“And her love.” Dakota insisted.


“Okay sweetheart, that’s enough out of you.” Nick replied after chuckling and he kissed the top of her head. Brooke laughed.


“I would listen to your daughter Nick. She’s a smart little girl and sometimes knows things you don’t.” Suddenly there was a soft knock on the door and Doctor Johnson peeked in.


“What’s up doc?” she asked, and Dakota giggled as she was suddenly reminded of Bugs Bunny her absolute favorite cartoon. Brooke smiled at her lovingly and then looked back at Doctor Johnson.


“Well there is a lady out here to see you. She’s…well…not the friendliest and she has a little girl with her named Elenore.” Doctor Johnson answered quietly so that only Nick, Dakota, and Brooke could hear him.


“Okay thanks, I will be right out.”


“Okay,” Doctor Johnson replied and he walked back out shutting the door behind him. Nick turned and looked at Brooke.


“Well Dakota and I will just be getting out of your way now…” He told her and he stood up and shifted Dakota so she’s sitting on his hip and she again wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head against his shoulder.


“Okay Nick. See you later,” Brooke replied. Suddenly Dakota slid from Nick’s arms and he looked at her curiously as she ran around the desk and over to a confused Brooke. She threw her arms around her and hugged her tight.


“Thanks for accidentally not signing those papers Brookie.” she told her softly.


“No problem sweetie…did you really think I was going to let them take you? Not a chance. You’re way too special to us.” Dakota smiled up at Brooke and Brooke smiled back and ruffled her hair. “Now go see your daddy. And take extra good care of him okay?” Dakota stood up straight dutifully, pretending to be one of Brooke’s employees.


“I wills, I promise! You can counts on me” Brooke couldn‘t help but laugh a little and Dakota turned and ran back to Nick. He scooped her up into his arms playfully and held her so he’s cradling her and she giggled loudly as he bent down and blew raspberries on her neck on his way out of the office. When they were gone Brooke became serious as she remembered what Doctor Johnson had told her.


“An unfriendly woman… great just the kind of people I love,” she spoke sarcastically to the empty room and she began to prepare herself to go out there.


~*~*~*~*~*~


When Nick walked out into the lobby with Dakota he saw Kevin, AJ, and Howie walking into the Orphanage. Nick grinned at the sight of his friends.


“Hey guys, what’s up? I didn’t know you were coming in today.”


“We were bored and just thought we’d come visit.”


“That’s cool.” Suddenly Dakota again slid from Nick’s arms and she ran over to Howie and hugged his leg tight. Howie chuckled and reached down and picked her up.


“Hello sweetie, good to see you too.” He told her, and he returned her hug.


“Guess what uncle D!”


“What?”


“Daddy finally adopted me!!”


“Did he really?” Howie asked, and three very confused but hopeful Backstreet Boys were now looking at Nick. Nick grinned and nodded.


“Yup just now!” Dakota answered, beaming proudly.


“What made you finally do it?” AJ questioned.


“It’s a long story. I will explain everything to you once we get into the playroom okay? Riley and Brian are in there.”


“Okay.”


“Elenore, stop staring!” a woman’s voice suddenly barked angrily. “It’s rude.” Nick, AJ, Howie, and Kevin all turned and looked where they heard the voice from to see a little girl standing near her mother and she was staring at Kevin in awe. She looks like she’s about Dakota’s age and she has dark brown hair - almost black, and hazel eyes. From where Nick is standing he can tell that the little girl has freckles across the bridge of her nose. When the little girl didn’t look away her mother became very impatient. She grabbed Elenore’s arm and sharply turned her so that she is facing her.


“What did I tell you?” she asked her.


“Sorry mother“ The little girl replied in such a tone that made it very clear she wasn’t sorry at all. The mother suddenly raised her hand as if she was going to smack the little girl and the little girl moved back ready to take the blow but the mother decided better of it and put her hand down.


“Just a little while longer…just a little while longer do I have to put up with this.” She told herself quietly and she let her daughter go. Elenore grabbed hold of her now sore arm and she began to rub it as she went and sat two chairs away from her mother and instead of staring at Kevin, she stared at the ground. Nick, AJ, Howie, and Kevin all looked at each other exchanging looks of worry. Suddenly the door to Brooke’s office opened and she finally came out of it. She looked to her right and saw the woman and little girl that she assumes is the not-so-friendly woman and Elenore sitting in the chairs outside her office.


“Elenore?” She asked kindly, and the little girl looked up from the floor and at Brooke with angry tears in her eyes that made Brooke very concerned.


“Yes, that’s my daughter. Are you Brooke?”


“Yes I’m Brooke. It is my understanding that you’re here to talk to me?” The woman nodded and stood up and she looked at Elenore with a firm look. Elenore took this as a hint and stood up too.


“Okay well then let’s go into my office where we can have some privacy,” Brooke replied, and she turned and walked into the office. As she did the woman looked at her daughter. Elenore cautiously walked ahead of her and into Brooke’s office and the mother followed her shutting the door behind her.


“I really hope Brooke gets that woman’s name. I wouldn’t doubt that there are bruises all over that poor little girl’s body.” Kevin announced to the rest of the guys, as he feels for Elenore. All she was doing was looking at him. What’s wrong with that? She must’ve just been a fan and had recognized him. She didn’t need to be yelled at for it. Kevin made a mental note in his head to have a talk with the little girl later; because he has a feeling he’s going to be seeing a lot of her.


“She will…Brooke always gets the names it’s required. Come on…let’s go into the playroom,” Nick reassured Kevin and he turned and headed toward the playroom as he now held Dakota again and the rest of the guys followed him. When they got in there they found Brian and Riley sitting on the floor in a circle with all the kids in the room and they were all just sitting there telling stories. Brian and Riley looked up when they heard the door open and they saw Howie, AJ, and Kevin walk in and Nick was behind them with Dakota in his arms. Brian and Riley smiled at this. While Riley was reading the kids a book Brian placed the little girl named Rochelle who was seated in his lap down on the floor beside him and he got up and went to greet his friends. He hugged Howie, AJ, and Kevin and they all returned it.


“Not that I am not happy to see you or anything, but what are you three doing here?”


“Thought we’d visit the two of you since you two never leave the Orphanage long enough to come visit us,” AJ teased. Brian smirked.


“Sorry man… it’s been pretty crazy around here.”


“Yeah so I heard,” AJ replied, and he turned and looked at Nick. “So where’s this long story about you adopting Dakota that you promised to tell us when we got in here?” Nick grinned and he looked down at Dakota in his arms as she looked up at him. He kissed her forehead and she slid from his arms and ran off over to Riley who was still reading that book she was reading and it just happened to be The Three Little Pigs. She crawled into Riley’s lap as Riley sat on the floor Indian style and she managed not to interrupt her reading. Riley smiled a little bit and rested her chin on top of Dakota’s head lightly and Dakota sat there looking at the pictures of the book and listened to the story while Nick told the guys his own story of how and why he adopted Dakota.



~*~*~*~*~*~


The entire time Brooke sat and talked to the lady that brought Elenore in she sat there observing the way Elenore behaved. She’s seen this behavior many times before from children who have been brought in and she knows the poor little girl has been abused for who knows how long. Probably for the past five years of her life. She’s wearing a long sleeved purple shirt and a pair of blue jeans and she’s sitting there with her arms crossed over her chest and she looks very tense. In her eyes Brooke can see so much pain and sadness in them not to mention they’re also pretty much screaming ‘help me’ at her every time she catches Elenore’s gaze.


“So you’re wanting to leave Elenore here? Is that what you’re telling me?” Brooke asked after listening to the woman’s list of complaints about how rotten her daughter is.


“Yes, that is if you’re willing to take her. She has a severe behavior problem and isn’t easy to take care of at all. I wouldn’t blame you if you turned away from her.” The woman warned.


“No…that’s quite alright I think its best she does stay here,” Brooke replied gently, as she looked at Elenore sympathetically. “What is your name ma’am?”


“Why?” the woman asked cautiously.


“It’s important that I know your name if you want me to take Elenore off your hands. It’s a requirement.”


“Shelly Ellerbee.” the woman replied shortly. Brooke nodded and she began to fill out the paper work asking Miss Ellerbee required questions.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~


By the time Nick had finished telling his story all four of his friends were hugging him and telling him how happy and proud of him they’re and that he made the right decision in adopting her. Kevin told him that he was stupid for even believing that he would be alone in raising Dakota and reassured him over and over again that him, Howie, AJ, and Brian would always be around to help no matter what. By the time they went to Riley and Dakota, Riley had finished reading the book and the kids were all one by one wandering off to do their own things again. Riley got up still holding Dakota and she went and sat at an empty table that didn’t have any of the kid’s activities on it and the rest of the adults followed her lead.


“Where is Ashley?” Nick asked curiously when he sat down in one of the chairs next to Riley and he reached over and stole his daughter from her and pulled her close to him affectionately.


“She insisted on going upstairs to take a nap. I tried to get her to reconsider and wait until you got back so that you could go up there with her but she said that she doesn’t want to talk to you unless you’ve got Dakota with you and she insisted that she would be fine. I was not about to let her throw one of her fits so I gave in. I’m really worried about her though.”



“I’ll go check on her,” Nick replied and he got up from his chair with Dakota cradled in his arms. “Kota and I need to go up there anyway and get settled back into her room. Into our room…”


“Okay,” Riley replied and Nick turned and headed toward the door to the lobby as he kissed Dakota’s forehead softly. She hugged him tight as she is still a little afraid of letting him go too far. Suddenly on his way out he saw Brooke on her way in with Elenore at her side holding her hand and she looks like she had been crying pretty hard.


“Hey Nick…where are you off to?” She asked.


“Gotta go check on Ashley. She went upstairs by herself against Riley’s wishes so I told her that I would go sit up there. And besides I want to spend a little time with Kota and maybe get her settled back into our room.”


“Ooh, okay.” Brooke replied. Nick nodded and he continued to head toward the elevator and Brooke continued to lead Elenore into the playroom. She brought her over to a curious Riley, Brian, AJ, Howie, and Kevin.


“Hey Brookie…who is this?” Brian asked curiously.


“My new little friend Elenore…she’s going to be staying here with us from now on. Elenore this is Riley. You’ll be seeing a lot of her around here. She’s a very friendly person and will always be here to help you if you should need it. Okay?” Elenore nodded quietly.


“Why don’t you see if maybe one of these nice guys will take you over to the toys for awhile, while I talk to Riley?” Elenore looked at the four guys she recognizes as four fifths of The Backstreet Boys. Her favorite group ever. She looked at Kevin the man she had first recognized in the lobby and had been staring at before her so called mother nearly smacked her for it.


“I’ll do it,” Kevin immediately offered when he noticed her looking at him.


“Thanks Kev,” Brooke replied and Kevin got up and offered the little girl his hand. She cautiously took a hold of it and he walked off with her toward all of the toys.


“She’s awfully quiet….is she alright? Why was she crying?” Riley immediately asked when Elenore was out of ear shot.


“Her mother just dropped her off here after giving me a horrible list of the reasons why her daughter is so rotten and she just can’t handle her anymore. Before this when I had first invited her into my office I asked her if maybe it’d be better if Elenore waited in the chairs in the lobby. The horrible woman insisted that her daughter should stay in the room and hear everything though. After signing all the papers and answering all of my questions she left without so much as a single good bye to Elenore - she didn’t even look back. When she was gone Elenore flung herself to the floor and just cried hysterically for ten minutes straight. When I had gotten her to finally calm down I brought her in here…”


“Wow…that’s really horrible,” Howie replied softly.


“Did you happen to get the name of this woman?” AJ asked curiously.


“Yeah of course…it’s required that I do. Shelly Ellerbee. Why?”


“Kevin was concerned about it earlier…he said that he wouldn’t doubt if there are bruises all over Elenore’s body.”


“Oh yeah there is…trust me. I know how to spot abuse a mile away by now. I was planning on informing the police right away as soon as I got done bringing her in here.”


~*~*~*~*~*~


“So…Elenore, How old are you?” Kevin asked curiously after bringing her over to the empty play dough table. Kevin sat playing with the play dough in hopes that Elenore would join in but she only sat there and watched him.


“Five…”


“That’s cool. You’re just one year older then my best friend Nick‘s daughter. She’s four… I bet you two would get a long great. I’ll have to introduce you to her later. Would you like that?” Elenore nodded quietly. Kevin sat there in silence for a couple of minutes trying to think of something else to say.


“Are you a Backstreet Boys fan?”


“Yeah…” she answered softly. “Since I was three.”


“That’s cool…who’s your favorite Backstreet Boy?”


“Brian! Loves Brian lots an’ I like you lots too. You’ve been my protector for two years now.” Elenore answered, suddenly going from upset to excited in not even a minute. Kevin can tell the Backstreet Boys mean a great deal to her.


“Oh yeah? How is that?”


“Just…because.” she answered, suddenly going back to her quiet and sad self.


“Do you have a favorite Backstreet Boys song?” He asked, wanting so badly to know why he’s been deemed her protector but also not wanting to force it out of her as he can tell it’s a sensitive subject.


“Yeah I likes I’ll Never Break Your Heart.“


“Awesome…that’s a very good choice.” Elenore nodded quietly, finally cautiously making a move to pick up the play-dough in front of her. She eyed Kevin a moment to ensure he wasn't going to get mad, and silently began to squish the blue play-dough between her fingers. Kevin watched her, wondering what her mother and possibly her father as well, had done to her to make her so unsure and quiet. Elenore played in silence, until some of the play-dough fell to the floor. She suddenly went into panic mode. "I's sorry! I's sorry!" She exclaims, quickly diving to pick the play-dough up. Kevin gently reached to comfort her, grabbing her arm gently - only to have her start screaming bloody murder.

"NO!!!!! I'S SORRY!!!!! DON'TS HURTS ME!!!! LEGGO!!!!! LEGGO!!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!" Elenore shrieked. "I'MA BE GOOD!!!! I'MA BE GOOD!!!!!!!! I SWEARS!!!!!!!!!!" Kevin looked perplexed, not knowing what to do other than let her go - but he had to calm her down. Soon as he'd let go of her arm, Elenore shot off like a rocket straight for the door. She needed to hide! She had to hide! Before somebody hurt her for dropping the play-dough. Kevin quickly got up and went after her, gently scooping her up, only to have her scream even more hysterically, as she began to wriggle and writhe about in his arms, midst kicking and flailing her arms. "NO!!!!!!!! LEGGO!!!!!!!!!!" Elenore sobbed. "LEGGO!!!!!!!!! I'S DIDN'TS MEANS TO BE BAD!!!!!!!!!"

"Hey-hey," Kevin said loud enough to be heard, but not loud enough to scare her. "Relax. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm not mad. I promise." When talking didn't seem to work, he did the only thing he could think of - he started to sing, while rocking her gently - despite her struggles to break free. Elenore slowly began to calm down, upon hearing the voice that always calmed her when she was scared or hysterical. She hiccupped and whimpered softly, midst sniffles. "There we go," Kevin smiled, sitting down on the floor with her, right where they were near the playroom door. "No one here is going to hurt you, Sweetie. We're all here to keep you safe. You don't have to be scared anymore. I know you probably won't believe me, but if anybody does hurt you, I'll take care of it and make sure they never do again." Elenore snuggled close, wincing slightly. Kevin frowned.


"Where's it hurt, Little One?" Elenore whimpered, pointing to her tummy. "Can I look?" Kevin asked carefully, and upon seeing her nod, lifted her shirt up some. He gasped upon seeing the huge bruise on the little girl's stomach, and all the little ones surrounding it. It almost seemed as if her whole body was just one big bruise. "Brooke! Riley!" He called urgently. "I need you both to come here a moment!" Brooke, Riley, and his band mates looked over at Kevin to see Elenore in his lap and that she had been crying. Concerned, Brooke and Riley went over there.


“What’s wrong Kev?” Riley questioned.


“Look what I found,” Kevin answered and he again pulled Elenore’s shirt up so they could see her bruises. Brooke gasped.


“Oh my god…” she replied softly. She knew there were bruises but she never imagined that they were that bad. She kneeled down before the little girl and Kevin.


“May I look Elenore? Please?” she asked gently and Elenore nodded quietly. Brooke carefully lifted her shirt all the way up and over her head and not only was she covered in bruises, but she saw that a long her arms there were deep razor cuts.


“Sweetie….did you do this to yourself?” Brooke asked, indicating toward the cuts and Elenore shook her head as fresh tears rolled down her cheek.


“M-My m-mommy did.”


“You can tell it was her mother Brooke, you can see them all through out her body, not just there.” Kevin spoke up and he carefully pointed them out for Brooke to see. Brooke suddenly looked over at Brian who a long with Howie and AJ had followed Brooke and Riley over to Kevin and Elenore.


“Bri do me a favor and go get Doctor Johnson. We’re going to need him to take her over to the hospital so they can look her over and maybe heal some of this.”


“Okay,” Brian replied and he got up and walked out of the playroom.


“I’m going with him to the hospital. I’m not leaving her,” Kevin insisted and Brooke looked at Kevin and noticed just how much he cares about this little girl. It’s almost as if he feels like this little girl is all of the sudden his responsibility.


“Okay that’s fine,” she replied gently. “I’m sure Elenore would like that a lot. She seems comfortable right where she’s at anyway.” And it was true. Elenore was ready to scream and protest the very minute anyone tried to take her from Kevin. Her protector. For two years all she had was the sound of his voice on all of her CDS and the posters on her wall to help her feel safe. But now she has the real thing and she is determined to keep it that way. She had been so upset when she realized that her mother was leaving her there. Abandoning her and walking out of this building as if she were nothing to her. But then again she couldn’t be any happier. Her mother did her a favor because little did she know she had made her daughter’s dream come true. She would have never met Kevin if she hadn’t left her there.

Chapter Ten:



When Nick and Dakota went upstairs to the floor theirs and Ashley’s room was on they were headed down the hall to Ashley’s room when they suddenly noticed Doctor Adams coming out of it. Nick raised his eyebrow concerned and he looked down at Dakota who looked up at him with an ‘uh-oh’ expression on her face.


“Hey Doctor Adams…what’s up?” Nick asked curiously when he approached him.


“Not much, just on my way downstairs right now.”


“Yeah? What’s Ashley up to?”


“Laying in her bed crying like she’s usually doing after me being in her room,” Doctor Adams answered, sounding very unconcerned.


“And why were you in her room?”


“It was time for her medicine.”


“Yeah but… Riley usually does it with you so that she stays calm. You know that.” Doctor Adams shrugged.


“She was busy so I thought I would do it myself. Is this interrogation over now? Cause I really need to get on with my work.”


“Fine. But I would appreciate it if you would at least inform me next time before you go in and frighten her even more then she already is. Riley may have been busy but you could have come and got me.”


“I don’t need to inform you of anything. I’m the doctor I know what I’m doing and you aren’t my boss. Last time I checked Riley and Brooke were.”


“No but last time I checked Riley and Brooke made me in charge of Ashley. Therefore when it comes to her and her best interests what I say does go. It’s my job to see that she gets better and opens up a little more but how am I going to do that with you upsetting her all the time?”


“It’s not my fault the little brat hates me.”


“Actually it is. From what I can see you aren’t even trying to earn her trust. You don’t even want it. You could have had it a long time ago if you had just tried.”


“Whatever…I really need to go now so are we done here?”


“Fine, go. But it would be nice if you’d at least tell me if you succeeded in giving her, her medicine or not. Cause if you didn’t I will have to go in there and do it myself since you failed to have me or Riley go in there and help you in the first place.”


“Yes I succeeded. Okay? And I did it just fine without your help.”


“Yeah but the question is, how upset did you make her this time?” Nick replied, and without even waiting for an answer he walked past Doctor Adams and into Ashley’s room. Doctor Adams waited until Nick was all the way in there and then went and hid outside Ashley’s door. When Nick got in there he found Ashley lying in her bed under the covers and she is crying. Nick sighed heavily and carried Dakota over to the bed and he sat down next to Ashley with Dakota next to him. He gently pulled the blanket down and Ashley looked up at him cautiously but relaxed a little when she saw it was him. Only a little bit.


“Hey honey…what’d he do now?” Nick asked gently and Ashley sat up and slid her arms around Nick’s neck and pulled him close to her for a hug. He carefully wrapped his arms around her waist in return and he rubbed his hand over her back as she cried into his shoulder. After awhile when she had calmed down he pulled back a bit and placed his hand to her cheek to caress it.


“Talk to me honey…what happened?”


“H-h-he gave me medicine…”


“Was he mean to you when he did it? Forceful?” Suddenly Doctor Adams appeared in the doorway as Nick’s back was turned and only Ashley could see him. He gave her a hard look and the fear in Ashley’s eyes grew even more.


“No…”


“What else did he do? Was he in here long before he gave you your medicine? Did he talk to you at all? What did he say?”


“No…he didn’t say anything. He wasn’t in here long…all he did was give me medicine.”


“Are you sure?” Nick questioned once again and he looked at Ashley with concern. He knows that she isn’t telling the truth. He can see the fear in her eyes and in the past few days that he had been observing her he’s learned how to determine when she’s being truthful or not. She’s been very honest with him up until now. As Dakota sat there and watched Ashley she raised her eyebrow. She notices she doesn’t seem to be looking at Nick, but past him. She turned her head to the door and saw a blue sleeve - that is all she had seen before Doctor Adams had quickly moved out of the doorway.


“Daddy…” she said, and turned her head to Nick and Ashley.


“Not now baby,” Nick replied gently.


“But daddy-”


“Dakota honey I’m talking to Ashley okay? It’s important that I find out what she’s feeling.” Nick explained, and he turned his attention back on Ashley and Dakota could hear footsteps going down the hall. Doctor Adams is walking away. Dakota got up and slipped into Ashley’s closet which is identical to Dakota’s and she was completely un-noticed by Nick who was so determined to find out what is going on in Ashley’s mind. She climbed the dresser and stood up on it. She reached for the entrance to the air vent and pulled it open and she climbed up into it and closed the door behind her before quickly crawling off in the direction she heard Doctor Adam’s footsteps go. As she was crawling a long the air vents she peeked out through one to the hallway and saw Doctor Adams heading to the stairwell leading to the basement. Dakota raised her eyebrow but then went to where she knew the air vent to the basement was. She peeked through it and found Doctor Adams enter and he looked around to make sure he was completely alone. When he saw that he was - or so he thought, he turned on his cell phone and dialed a number.


~Doctor Adam’s Phone conversation~


“Hello?” came a male’s voice on the other end when someone finally picked up.


“Hey it’s me - Trevor.”


“What’s going on man? Did you do it?”


“Yeah, I did it.”


“And?”


“I think it got to her. She knows better than to give out anymore information now.”


“What all did she reveal? Because she swore to me she wouldn’t tell anyone who I was. Nobody knows who I am do they? Because if they do she knows I’m going to come back and murder her in a way no one’s murdered anyone before.”


“No, no one knows who you’re…yet. I’ve been keeping an eye on her though. Whenever she even gets close to telling them I give her a look and she gets scared and doesn’t do it. All they know about is Kori and Thomas.”


“Shit…” The other man cursed on the other end. “How did they find out about them?”


“The little bitch told them of course. The night you attacked her she told the Backstreet fag all about Thomas being in a car accident and so of course the next day Riley and Steven researched him and found out the truth. Then later on that day Ashley had a nightmare about Kori and told them she was being attacked and now they’re looking for Kori in hopes to get information out of her.”


“Not if I find her first and murder her before they can even get to her.”


“You’ve been trying to find her for five years now boss… no offence but I am starting to give up hope that you ever will. She’s hidden herself well.”


“I am going to find her even if it is the last thing I do, Trevor.”


“Okay, okay…” Doctor Johnson sighed. “But I’ve gotta go boss…my break is almost up.” Dakota who sat there listening to the entire thing in complete shock turned around in the air vent and she quickly - but quietly crawled back to the vent to Ashley’s closet. When she got there she opened it up and climbed out and she jumped down from the dresser and ran into the bedroom.


“DADDY!!! DADDY I HEARDS HIM!! I HEARDS WHAT HES DOIN’!” Nick looked at his daughter in complete shock for a minute not exactly sure of what she means but Ashley on the other hand looked even more scared then before and she clung to Nick tightly.


“What did you hear baby? Who’s doing what?” Dakota ran to the door and shut it and she locked it, then she went over to Nick and spoke more quietly.


“Doctor Adams! I was listening to him in the air vents like you told me to! You wouldn’t listen to me earlier when I tried to tells you he was standing outside the door listening to you talk to Ashee and that’s why Ashee wouldn’t tells you what he was doing!!” Nick raised his eyebrow.


“What’d you hear baby? Tell me?”


“No Kota please don’t tell, please…” Ashley suddenly begged, and she began to cry all over again. Nick turned his attention on Ashley.


“Ashley she has to tell me honey. If I don’t know what’s going on I can’t help you.”


“He’ll kill me…he’ll kill me if you find out. Please…” Ashley sobbed. Nick gently grabbed onto Ashley’s arms and he looked her in the eyes seriously but with so much love in his own.


“Honey he’s not going to kill you. I won’t let him kill you I promise. I am here to protect you but I can’t do that unless I know what it is that I am protecting you from.” Ashley threw her arms around his neck and buried her face in his chest where she continued to cry and he rubbed his hand over her back as he patted the bed in front of him for Dakota to sit. Dakota crawled up in front of him and sat down.


“Tell me baby… what did you hear?”


“He was down in the basement! He was on the phone with some guy.”


“What guy?” Ashley’s head suddenly shot up and she looked at Dakota in panic. Nick gently placed his hand at the back of her head and made her lay her head back against his chest again and he raked his fingers through her hair as he kissed her forehead.


“I don’ts know…he never revealed his name.”


“What all did he say?”


“Well all that I could hears was his end of the conversation, but I know that the guy asked him if he did it. He said yes he did and he said that he thinks it got’s to Ashee because Ashee knows better then to give outs anymore information now.” Nick suddenly looked down at Ashley who sat there holding on tightly to Nick and she is sniffling.


“Ash, honey…I’m going to once again ask you what he did to you earlier when he was supposedly giving you medicine. I know he was doing something so please just tell me. If you want me to keep you safe I need to know.”


“I can’t tell you…”


“Yes you can. You can tell me anything. No one is going to hurt you sweetie. No one.”


“No…I can’t.” Nick sighed in frustration and he looked at Dakota.


“Kota…what else did you hear? Anything?”


“Yeah…but I hafta tells you in private.” Nick raised his eyebrow at her for a couple of minutes, than he nodded.


“Okay,” he replied and he got up from the bed and reached for Ashley’s hand.


“Where are we going?” Ashley asked softly.


“Down to Riley, Brian, Howie, Kevin, and AJ. One of them is going to keep an eye on you while I talk to Riley and Brian. That is…unless you want to join us and maybe clue us in on some things.” Nick explained, trying his very hardest not to let his frustration show. Ashley shook her head and let Nick take her hand and help her up from the bed. When he did this, the blankets fell to the floor and he noticed a blood stain on the bed.


“Hmm… whatever he was doing to you, he didn’t hide the evidence very well, did he.” He looked at her for a couple of minutes in hopes that she would cave and tell him at least something. ANYTHING would be good…a hint or a clue. When she didn’t, he looked at the bed. He thought for a couple of minutes and then crawled onto it and he leaned down and sniffed it. When he did he smelled something odd on it and he had a bad feeling in his stomach all of the sudden. He then grabbed a hold of the bed sheets and he began to pull them off the bed. When he finished he held them under one arm and took Ashley’s hand in the other.


“Come on Dakota,” he said and she followed him out of the room and to the elevator. When they got down to the lobby they ran into Doctor Johnson.


“Hey Nick…what’s up?” he asked curiously, when he noticed the stray tears on Ashley’s cheeks from when she was crying earlier and her bed sheets in Nick’s arms.


“Where is Riley and everybody do you know?”


“Everybody except Kevin and Brooke are in the cafeteria getting it set up for lunch. I just now left Kevin and Brooke in the hospital building where they have our new child Elenore being examined. We discovered some brutal bruises and cuts on her that may still have a chance to be healed.”


“Oh.”


“So what’s going on?” he asked, indicating toward the bed sheets.


“Follow me… I’m about to tell Riley the whole thing. It’s a very HUGE problem.” Nick answered, and he began to go to the cafeteria as he still held Ashley’s hand and Dakota followed close behind him. Curious, Doctor Johnson decided to follow too. When they got in there they found everybody setting up tables and chairs but they all looked at them as they entered.


“Hey Nick… what’s up?” Brian asked curiously.


“I need someone to watch Ashley for a minute. Brian and Riley I need to talk to you. It’s very important.”


“I’ll watch her,” AJ volunteered and he walked over to Nick. Nick placed Ashley’s hand into AJ’s instead and he turned and headed way over to the other side of the cafeteria with Dakota, Brian, Riley, and Doctor Johnson following.


“What’s going on Nick?” Riley asked.


“Dakota and I went up to check on Ashley earlier like I told you we would and on our way down the hall we discovered Doctor Adams coming out of her room. I asked him what was up and he told me nothing, that he was just headed downstairs. I asked him what Ashley was up to and he told me crying, just like she always does when he goes into her room. I asked her what he was doing in her room in the first place and he told me giving Ashley her medication.”


“What?” Riley asked confused.


“Her medication. It was 11:00 in the morning and that is usually the time you give her, her medicine right?”


“Ashley’s been off of that medicine since the day after your concert Nick. She doesn’t need to take it anymore.”


“Well he was up there giving her something then because that’s what he told me he was doing. After arguing with him for a little while on how he should’ve informed me or you that he was going to do this I went into her room to check on her and she was under her covers crying. When I had gotten her to come down she confirmed that he was giving her medicine. She wouldn’t tell me anything else - only that he was giving her medicine. Well what I failed to notice was that Doctor Adams had been hiding behind the door and when I went and questioned her about what else he was doing to her, and if he was mean and forceful to her, and all this other stuff he appeared in the door way and gave her his looks and made her scared so she lied to me and answered no to all of those questions. That he was just giving her medicine. Well Dakota not being fooled one bit noticed Doctor Adams there and tried to tell me but I wouldn’t listen to her. So when he had walked off she snuck up in the air vent and followed him into the basement where she over heard a bunch of serious stuff.” Nick explained, and he looked down at Dakota.


“Go on and tell them what you heard baby.”


“I heards him talking on the phone. He was saying that he did it and that he thinks it gots to Ashee and she won’t be giving away any more information. Then he mentioned how you knows about Thomas and researched him and that you also knows about Kori. He tolds him how you found out about her too - that Ashee had a scary dream about her and told you all abouts her. He told her you were trying to find her so that you could get’s information out of her. And he was silent as the other person talked and then he said that he was giving up hope that he will finds her because he’s been trying for five years and she hid herself well. He also reassured the person that you don’ts know who he is yet and every time Ashee gets even close to saying who he is he scares her by giving her mean looks and then she doesn’t.” Dakota explained.


“Who he is…you mean the other man that Doctor Adams was talking to, right?” Riley asked very seriously. Dakota nodded.


“And when Dakota came back to tell me Ashley panicked and started crying and begging Dakota not to tell me because he would kill her if I knew. I reassured her over and over again that no one would kill her because I wasn’t going to let them. But If she wanted me to protect her I needed to know what I am protecting her from. So against her wishes I had Dakota tell me but she couldn’t tell me about Kori because…well you know if Ashley found out we are looking for her she’d throw a fit and turn against me for sure. So she said she needed to tell me in private. So when I pulled Ashley out of bed to bring her down here I discovered a big blood stain where she was laying.” Nick explained, and he unfolded the bed sheets in his arms and pointed to the blood stain. I also smelled them and they have a weird smell on them. I don’t know what it is but it smells funny. If I were you id take them down to a DNA person right away.” Doctor Johnson nodded.


“I’ll do that,” He volunteered and Nick handed them the bed sheets.


“Nick you and I will need to go and talk to Brooke about all of this. You know she is going to want to know.” Riley spoke up.


“Yeah… I am going to have the pleasure of watching her bust that stupid bastard.”


“Well, honey, she can’t really do much until the DNA comes back and proves him guilty.”


“No, but she can pull him into her office and yell at him and suspend him until it comes back and that will be good enough for me.”


“I think that she should wait until the DNA comes back before she says anything, Nick. And I think he’d be better off in this building until he can be locked behind bars too. Otherwise he could run off to this guy he was talking to on the phone and Ashley would be in grave danger.” Brian replied.


“She’s in grave danger either way. Those bed sheets as proof.”


“Well at least now we know better and can make it a strict rule that Ashley doesn’t go anywhere without either you or a trustful adult by her side.”


“Oh don’t you worry. I’m not leaving her out of my sight for anything. I wouldn’t have earlier if I wasn’t busy rescuing my little girl. Doctor Adams sure did pick a good time - right when the two of us were busy.”


“Yeah he did…” Riley replied, as she can’t believe she had been wrong all a long about Doctor Adams. She really thought that she could trust him. Riley sighed and shook her head.


“Come on… lets go over to the hospital and tell Brooke.” Nick nodded and he looked down at Dakota.


“Kota baby…why don’t you go and hang out with Ashley and AJ? I will be back by the time it’s time for lunch okay?”


“Kay,” Dakota replied and she turned and headed over to AJ and Ashley. Nick looked at Riley and Brian and the three of them left the cafeteria and headed toward the hospital. When they got there they asked the receptionist at the front desk where to go and she told them and they went to that room to find Kevin and Brooke with a doctor and they’re checking on Elenore.


“Hey…how’s Elenore doing?” Riley asked gently, as she came up behind them.


“A lot better. It turns out that most of her cuts and bruises are curable,” Kevin answered.


“Aww that’s great,” Riley replied, smiling down at the little girl being treated by the doctor and Elenore gave her a small smile back.


“Kevin has informed me that he wants to be here every day to help take care of Elenore. I asked him if he just wants me to hire him and he told me no, he doesn’t want to be paid he wants to do it just because he cares.”


“Aww that’s really sweet of you Kevin.” Kevin grinned and he looked down at Elenore and took her hand into his and he gently squeezed it as he watched over her.


“Anyway, Brooke, we need to talk.” Riley announced after a couple of minutes.


“Everything okay?”


“No, not really…but this isn’t a safe place to talk about it. So can you come back to the Orphanage with us or do you need to stay here?”


“No I can go,” She replied and she looked at Kevin who was now looking at her again.


“Are you okay with her Kev?”


“Yeah I’m fine. When the doctor gives me permission I will bring her back to the Orphanage for lunch.”


“Okay,” Brooke replied, and she followed Nick, Brian, and Riley out of the room and they headed back to the Orphanage.

Chapter Eleven:


After Riley, Brian, and Nick talked to Brooke they went back to the cafeteria where they were just finishing up on setting it up and it was just ten minutes before the kids would be let in. Dakota was the first to notice them come in.


“Daddy!!” She exclaimed happily, and she got up from her chair beside Ashley and ran over to Nick. Nick grinned and held his arms open just on time for the little girl to come flying into them. He lifted her up and kissed her cheek affectionately and he hugged her close.


“Hi baby…do you know how good it feels to hear you call me daddy?” Dakota smiled up at him and she rested her head against his shoulder as she slid her arms around his neck. He then looked over at Ashley and saw that she is sitting next to AJ who kept a close watch on her just like he promised. He rested his forehead against Dakota’s as he brought her back over there and he sat down in what used to be Dakota’s chair.


“Hey Ash…are you okay?” he asked gently. Ashley nodded.


“Then why are there tear streaks going down your cheeks?”


“They’re from earlier,” AJ answered for Ashley and Nick scooted closer to Ashley and wiped away her tears with his finger before cupping her cheek in his hand and gently caressing it.


“I’m sorry I was a little grumpy toward you earlier… I was just frustrated. It frustrates me that I don’t know what’s going on. I want so badly to protect you but I don’t know what it is I’m protecting you from and sometimes it makes me feel so angry.” Nick suddenly noticed slight fear in Ashley’s eyes and he realized he had said the wrong thing. “Not at you…I could never be angry at you. I mean the people who are hurting you…” He immediately added and he brushed some of her hair from her face before tucking it behind her ear and she wrapped her arms around him and rested her head against his shoulder as Dakota is no longer in his lap. She had crawled out of it and went to go see Brian. Nick wrapped his arms around her in return and hugged her close as he gently rubbed his hand over her back.


“Just answer me this…okay? What was that blood stain on your bed sheet from? Is there an injury on your body that I don’t know about?”


“He cleaned it up…” Ashley answered softly. It was the first question of Nick’s that she’s answered all day. She then lifted her hand and pulled the sleeve to her hoodie back and she showed him the cut on her hand that’s been bandaged up.


“He attacked me and I got in the way of the knife in his hand when trying to push the medicine he was giving me away.”


“That was a very big blood stain though… that couldn’t have all been from your hand.” Ashley suddenly pushed her hair off of her neck and tilted her head to the side so he could see a cut mark a long the side of it. He winced at the sight of it.


“Jesus…” AJ trailed off as he had looked too.


“He forced me to put the hoodie on so that you wouldn’t see…”


“Are there any more hidden scars I don’t know about?”


“Just the ones you’ve already seen…”


“What else did he do? Please tell me….”


“I can’t…I-I’m scared.” Nick didn’t say anything else, he only again pulled her into a hug and she once again rested her head against his shoulder. He raked his fingers through her long black hair as he looked at AJ who sat there in silence just listening to him and Ashley. AJ gave him a reassuring look silently telling him to not push her and she will eventually speak up when she’s ready. Having been AJ’s friend and band mate since he was 13 he understands all that without him having to verbally tell him. He sat there holding her close to him for the remaining ten minutes, then when it was time to let the kids in, Riley did so and Nick looked down at Ashley.


“Are you hungry sweetie? I can go make you your plate if you want me to.” Ashley nodded. “Alright, stay right here and I will be right back.”


“Kay.” He then got up and went to get Ashley’s plate and AJ stayed right at her side to look after her until Nick gets back.


“Is she okay Nick?” Riley questioned, as she came up beside him and was making her own plate. She over heard their conversation.


“As far as I know yeah… but she’s still hiding stuff from me so I don’t know.” When he finished making both his and Ashley’s plates he brought them over to their table and sat them down in before looking at AJ.


“Go make your lunch Aje, you’ve been sitting here for a long time. I will take over if you will help Dakota make her plate for me.”


“Okay,” AJ replied, and he got up and went off in search of Dakota. Nick sat down and looked at Ashley and she went right to eating. He sat there watching her for a couple of minutes, than he began to eat too. Eventually Riley, Howie, Brian, AJ, and Dakota joined them with their own food. They sat there eating in silence for five minutes, than suddenly Kevin walked in holding Elenore on his right hip and she has her arms wrapped around his neck and her head rested against his shoulder. He spotted everybody and brought them over to the table.


“Hey Kevin…how is Elenore?” Howie asked curiously, as Kevin sat down in the one empty spot left which was on the right side of Dakota as Nick sat on the left.


“She’s a lot better now. The doctor says that almost all of her bruises will heal.”


“That’s great,” Howie replied while grinning at Elenore and Elenore smiled back shyly. Suddenly Kevin remembered Dakota and he turned his attention on her as she sat there looking at the girl in Kevin’s arms curiously. She had seen her earlier in the lobby and how mean her mommy was, but she was curious on why she was now sitting in her uncle Kevin’s lap.


“Uncle Kevy…who is that?” She asked him.


“This is my new friend Elenore. She’s staying here in the Orphanage now. Elenore this is Dakota - Nick’s daughter the four year old I was telling you about earlier. Remember?” Elenore looked up at him and nodded before looking back at Dakota and she eyed her cautiously. “You two are about the same age…Elenore just a year older then you’re Dakota. I thought maybe you two could get to know each other and maybe become friends.” Dakota smiled up at Kevin suddenly and Kevin grinned back.


“I’ve never had a friend before… I’ve always wanted one.”


“Well then it’s perfect baby. Elenore doesn’t know anybody here… maybe you would be the perfect one to make her feel right at home.” Nick replied, also smiling. He’s happy that Dakota might finally get to have a friend for the first time ever in her entire four years of living. Dakota ate, quietly watching Elenore, who just sat clinging tightly to Kevin and not eating - she seemed too scared to eat. "What do you likes to do?" Dakota asked her suddenly, deciding she'd best make conversation. "Do you likes to plays dolls or cars or Barbie’s or tag or hide n seek?" Elenore shrugged slightly.


"I dunno. I never hads any of that stuffs. I likes to color - it's fun - 'less you color what you're not s'pose too....." Dakota looked shocked. Despite the fact she'd always lived in the Orphanage, she'd always had toys to play with and call her own.


"You never hads even one?" Elenore shook her head.


"No....only good peoples gets toys....." Dakota frowned, not understanding completely, but also not liking the sound of her new and first friend not having any toys.


"Uncle Kevy? Can we goes an' gets Elenore toys after lunch?" Kevin, who'd been listening in on their little conversation, smiled at hearing his niece’s suggestion. "


“I think that's a wonderful idea, Kota. Maybe we should see who else would like to go shopping, then we can all go together."


"Okay!" Dakota chirped, as she loved to shop! Dakota quickly turned to look at Nick.


"Daddy! Daddy! Can we go shoppin' with Uncle Kevy to gets Elenore some toys? Please, Daddy?" Nick turned and looked down at his baby - he knew he'd never get sick of hearing her call him Daddy - not ever.


"Yes, Baby. We can go, as long as Ashley comes with us."


"Of course she come withs us!" Dakota exclaimed. "Ashee gots to comes too! She gotta helps me finds pretty jewelry!" Nick chuckled.


"Well, you'd best remind her of that, Honey." Dakota leaned forward onto the table, practically standing on her seat. "Ashee! You comes shoppin' withs us? Please?" Ashley smiled some, watching Dakota and seeing her enthusiasm.


"Okay," she said softly, though she was still very scared she'd end up hurt - or worse, dead.


"Don't worry," Nick whispered assuringly. "We'll bring security. We have to anyway, as malls are crowded." Ashley nodded, though she still wasn't so sure. Eventually, they were all finished with lunch - Elenore still having had touched hardly any of hers, which concerned Kevin - but for now, he didn't comment on it.


"Ready to go shopping?" Kevin asked Elenore, as he stood up with her still in his arms - not that she'd been willing to let go of him at all anyway. Elenore shrugged quietly, still not quite able to believe that the man she'd deemed her protector was really going to buy her toys that she could actually call her own. Nick stood up too while lifting Dakota from her chair and he offered Ashley his hand. She took hold of it and allowed him to help her up. He then looked at Brian and Riley.


“Are you two coming?



“Yup.” He turned and looked at Riley. “Right? It’s the afternoon, we’ve got break now.”


“We’ve gotta inform Brooke where we’re taking Elenore and Ashley at first.”


“okay well you two do that then and I’m going to take Ashley upstairs so she can get ready. She’s still in her pajamas. Kota also needs to change clothes and put on some shoes and socks.”


“Okay,” Riley replied and Nick looked at Ashley.


“Ready?” Ashley nodded and he began to bring her upstairs as he carried Dakota under one arm and held Ashley’s hand in the other. Howie grinned as he watched the three of them disappear from the cafeteria.


“I bet you all ten dollars that he’s dating her by the end of this month.”


“By the end of this month? I give him two weeks.” AJ replied.


“Really? You’re willing to bet on it?”


“Yeah because I’m going to win.”


“We’ll see about that.” Riley laughed a little and shook her head.


“Men…” She mumbled and she walked off to go talk to Brooke dragging Brian a long with her as she had a hold of his hand. He didn’t see her start to walk because he was busy watching Howie and AJ’s little competition and he stumbled backwards and barely caught himself.


“Hey!” he whined.


“Well pay attention,” Riley laughed.


“You could have at least warned me.”


“Ugh…and I thought Nick was the whiner.”


“Hey - HEY! I object to those kind of comments” He shot back defensively and Riley just laughed as the two of them continued to walk out of the cafeteria together.



~*~*~*~*~


Once upstairs to Ashley’s room she went to her dresser to look through her clothes. She doesn’t have very many to choose from seeing as how he-who-she-refuses-to-name never let her leave the house to get anything she wanted or needed. She sighed sadly as she looked at the small amount of clothes in her dresser. Nick who was watching her and seemed to have read her mind went up behind her and slid his arms around her waist as he rested his chin on her shoulder.


“Don’t worry…I’ll buy you some new clothes how’s that?” he asked gently, and she leaned back against him and looked up at him.


“I couldn’t ask you to do that Nicky…”


“You’re not asking, I’m offering.” Nick smiled. Ashley looked up at him, resting the back of her head against his shoulder and she couldn’t help but smile back - the first real smile he’s gotten out of her all day.


“Don’t you dare think you’re leaving that mall today empty handed young lady. Cause I won’t have that.”


“What if I refuse to let you spend your money on me?”


“It’s my money and I can spend it on who I want to, and when I want to. You can refuse but you will find I can be very stubborn. I will just start buying you things at random if you don’t tell me what you want.” Ashley giggled.


“You’re impossible you know that?”


“You better believe it baby,” he replied as he lightly caressed his thumb over her cheek.


“Daddy an’ Ashee sittin’ in a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G” Dakota’s taunting voice was suddenly heard from the doorway. Ashley giggled again and Nick smirked and turned his head to look at Dakota to find her standing there smiling real big at watching the two of them.


“Didn’t I tell you to go get dressed little one?”


“Maybe…” Nick smirked and turned around.


“Well I may just send the tickle monster after you if you don’t get moving!” He threatened playfully. Her eyes grew big as he pretended to go after her and she screamed.


“I’s goin’, I’s goin’, no tickles!” she insisted as she turned and ran out of the room giggling. Nick chuckled and turned his attention back on Ashley who had picked a red Ramones t-shirt and blue jeans and she grabbed underwear and a bra and went into her walk in closet and turned on the light before shutting the door so she could get dressed in privacy. When she was dressed she came out wearing red converse shoes and her hair was pulled back into a ponytail.


“Ready?” He asked her with a grin and she nodded quietly as she suddenly felt very shy around him. Dakota’s little taunting made her feel very shy.


“Come on then,” he replied and he walked out of the room and went next door to his and Dakota’s and she followed behind him. They found Dakota just now finishing up on getting dressed too. She has on an outfit Nick had bought her awhile back ago. A white Nirvana t-shirt, some black jeans, and she’s wearing little blue converse shoes.


“Ready Kota?”


“Yup!”


“Okay, come on then.” He replied and she followed him and Ashley downstairs where they were to meet the rest of the group and go shopping. When they got down there they found Kevin and Elenore waiting in the lobby.


“Where is everybody?” Nick asked curiously.


“Howie and AJ went outside to wait - they’re in the middle of some competition of some sort…” Kevin explained, knowing exactly what the competition is but he knows AJ and Howie would kill him if he told.


“Brian and Riley are still talking to Brooke and here are me and Elenore,” He answered, looking down at Elenore.


“Are you anxious to go to the mall Elenore?” Nick asked, grinning at her and Elenore returned a weak smile.


“Yeah I guess…never been to the mall befores.”


“Well today is your lucky day,” Kevin told her and he hugged her close. He really does care about the little girl a lot.

Chapter Twelve:



By the time Brian and Riley finished talking to Brooke they walked into the lobby to find everybody but Howie and AJ waiting for them.


“Where are Howie and Aje?” Brian asked curiously when they had approached the group.


“Outside waiting and arguing over who’s going to win their competition.” Kevin answered. Brian chuckled.


“Oye… and I thought Howie was supposed to be the peacemaker.” Brian commented and the seven of them walked out of the orphanage as Kevin got on his phone and called up security to tell them to meet them all at the mall. After doing that they got into their cars and headed to the nearest mall. Nick, Ashley, Dakota, and AJ in Nick’s car and the rest in Kevin’s. They decided to narrow it down to just two cars and Kevin also decided it’d be best if they separated Howie and AJ as it was beginning to get pretty bad between the two of them. Soon as they were at the mall, everyone climbed out of the vehicles they were in, only to be joined by the Backstreet security team moments later. They were standing around, trying to decide who was going where and what time they would all meet up again.


"Well, we have to buy clothes," Nick stated, hugging Ashley close to him.


"And toys, Daddy!" Dakota insisted. Nick smiled down at his little girl.


"Yes, and toys. We can never forget those." Dakota shook her head in agreement, smiling wide. Kevin shifted Elenore slightly, who was back in his arms once more and resting on his left hip.


"Well, this little one needs some clothes and toys," he told the group. "So we may be a little while."


"So, why don't you go with Nick, Ashley, and Kota?" Brian suggested. "Since your both technically going to the same places. Also, this way, Kota can help Elenore pick out some cool toys." Brian flashed Elenore a grin, which made her turn and shyly bury her face into Kevin.


"We're going to go check out hats and jewelry," A.J. said, pointing to himself and Howie. "Right, D.?"


"And clothes, Alex," Howie laughed. "Some of us like more than just those. Also, shoes would be good."


"Clothes basically," A.J. smirked, grabbing Howie's arms. "C'mon D.!"


"Well, call me on my cell later, and let me know when and where we're meeting!" Howie called back, as he stumbled along as A.J. basically dragged him towards the mall entrance. "Alex! I can walk on my own, you know!"


"Fine! Then walk!" A.J. exclaimed, letting go and laughing when Howie lost his balance and almost fell flat on his face. Marcus and the other security guard with them laughed, as the four entered the mall then.


"Okay, Frick, Ry, where are you going?" Nick asked.


"Sporting goods store, then wherever this lovely lady decides," Brian smiled, grabbing hold of Riley's hand. Riley smiled softly. "Brian, I'm happy as long as I'm with you. I don't care where we go."


"Well, then let's go!" Brian said, then turned to Nick and Kevin. "Meet back at this entrance at four or so? I mean, we gotta be back in time for dinner, don't we?"


"So, I guess we're shopping together?" Nick replicated, raising his eyebrows at Kevin. "I mean, we are the ones with the kids." Kevin chuckled.


"Actually, I think the kids all just left." Nick smiled.


"Yeah, well, the little kids are still here." Kevin nodded.


"Yeah. And I'm glad they are," he said, smiling down at Elenore. He didn't know why, but he felt such a strong connection to her, though he'd just met her for the first time earlier.


"C'mon Daddy!" Dakota insisted, grabbing hold of Nick's hand. "Let's get shoppin'! Ashee needs clothes! An' Elenore needs toys!" Nick laughed.


"We're coming, we're coming." He kept hold of Ashley's hand, after releasing her from his arms and reached down to take hold of Dakota's as well.


"And - we're off!" Dakota giggled happily, glad to finally be shopping once more. She loved to shop!


"You're gonna have lots of fun, Elenore!" Dakota told her new found friend. "Daddy an' Uncle Kevy always know how to makes it fun!" Elenore smiled some, still a little unsure about all of this. What was to say he wasn't just going to set her down somewhere and walk off on her, never to return again? Her mother had, after all - and she hadn't even bothered to look back either. Not that she really wanted to go home, as her parents were mean - but they were her parents, she was only five, and she did still love them. The five of them entered the mall, with security trailing close behind, but not close enough to attract attention. After a short discussion, they decided it'd be best to get the clothes first and the toys later. They walked until they came across Mervyn’s and they went in there. When they found the kids section that had Dakota and Elenore’s sizes Dakota excitedly let go of Nick’s hand and ran off to look at all the clothes.


“Kota honey, don’t run off too far,” Nick called after her.


“I won’t daddy, I’s promise.” She replied before continuing to look for clothes.


“See anything you like Elenore?” Kevin asked as he carried her a long the racks of clothing and looked at things. Elenore shrugged her shoulders nervously. She sees a lot of clothes that she thinks are cool but she’s never been allowed to choose her own clothes before and she’s afraid of being put down for her decisions. Kevin thought for a couple of minutes and then suddenly pulled out a pink long sleeved top with elastic-cinched sides which have little flowers and jewels on them.


“This would look cute on you,” He told her. “What do you think?” Elenore nodded quietly. Kevin then looked over at Dakota.


“Dakota what do you think?” Dakota looked up from the shirts she was looking at and at Kevin. “Would this look good on Elle?”


“Uh-huhs! Elenore that would look cute on you!” Dakota insisted. Dakota thought for a moment and then looked back at the rack of clothes that she was looking through and she pulled out a pair of dark blue jeans that have pink stitching a long the pockets and there is a little pink flower at the left pantleg.


“Uncle Kevy this would look cute withs it!” Kevin grinned and he looked down at Elenore who was smiling slightly.


“What do you think Elenore? Do you want to try this shirt and those pants on?”


“Okay,” Elenore replied softly.


“Okay well then I will just hold onto these for a while and we will see if there is anything else you like. That way you can try them all on at once.” He explained after taking the pants from Dakota. Dakota continued to go through the shirts she was looking at and suddenly she came across a strawberry shortcake 2fer t-shirt. The shirt underneath is pink while the one on top is black and it has a heart in the middle of it with strawberry shortcake’s face in it. There are also little hearts around it and it says in pink and yellow glittery letters: Sweet. She gasped.


“Daddy I wants this shirt so bad!” She announced, and she looked at Nick who was standing there holding Ashley’s hand but looking through the clothes and pulling out clothes that he thought would look cute on his angel. Nick smiled and turned his attention on her.


“What shirt baby?” he asked her.


“This!” she answered and she held it up to her so he could see.


“That would look very adorable on you baby,” He told her.


“I can gets it?”


“Is it your size?”


“Uh-huhs,” she answered after looking at the tag. Nick has taken her shopping so much in the past that she knows her own size by now and does a lot of the picking for herself.


“Then yeah you may have it.” Dakota beamed happily and she looked back at the clothing rack and found another strawberry shortcake shirt. It’s black as well but reads: ‘Princess’ and instead of a heart it has Strawberry shortcake in a circle. She pulled that down too and looked at Kevin.


“Elenore how bouts this one? Then we could match!” Kevin turned and looked at the shirt and Dakota’s hand and Elenore looked too.


“Aww that would look cute,” Kevin grinned. He looked down at Elenore.


“What do you think Elle? Do you like strawberry shortcake too?”


“Uh-huh…loves it,” Elenore answered and she smiled a little bit.


“Let me see that Dakota,” Kevin replied and Dakota handed it over and Kevin placed the shirt over his arm like he has the other outfit that was picked out. Suddenly Elenore spotted a short sleeved rose colored dress with a velvet top over a scalloped sheer skirt. Decorated around the waist is a slash and flower and it zips up in the back. She reached out and grabbed hold of it and she pulled it up from the rack and looked up at Kevin for approval. He grinned and was happy that she was finally starting to warm up to picking out her own stuff a little bit.


“You want that dress, sweetie?” Elenore nodded, the look in her eyes almost pleading.


“Can I’s? Please?” She asked softly.


“Of course you can. You will look very pretty in this dress.” Elenore and Kevin picked out a few more cute outfits - mostly Kevin, but every now and then Elenore would spot something she just had to have and pull it down from the racks. They ended up getting a little white dress with pink trimmings all a long it and it has a little tea pot on it, a white dress with pink flowers all over it and a green slash that goes around the waist. It has pants with flowers a long the pantleg to match it. The straps on the dress are green with pink trimming. A blue denim jumper with a light pink Oshkosh shirt to go underneath it, A Green and pink double layer shirt with pink cherries on it and it says ‘little sweet cherries’ on it. They picked out a few skirts and such as well. When they had enough, Kevin looked down at the little girl in his arms.


“Shall we go try these on you now?” He asked her.


“Okay,” She replied. He looked at Nick suddenly.


“We’ll be in the dressing room if you need us.”


“Kay,” Nick replied and Kevin walked off to the near by dressing room and he disappeared inside it. Nick looked at Dakota.


“Find anything else baby?” He asked her.


“Yeah daddy lots,” Dakota answered and she began to show Nick all of the cute outfits that she had picked out and she asked Ashley for her opinion on all of them too.


~*~*~*~*~*~


Brian and Riley were checking out basketballs in the Sporting Goods store that Brian had insisted on going into. He knew the kids at the Orphanage were lacking on sporting goods again and needed some new ones, and wanted to surprise them all with some.

"Brian, why are we looking at everything in here?" Riley asked. "I mean, I know you love sports - but you've looked at practically every kid thing in here. What're you gonna do? Buy Dakota and Elenore a bunch of sporting equipment?" Brian just smiled.


"Something like that," he replied, not giving any more information away. Riley groaned.


"They're little girls Brian - are you sure they're gonna be die-hard sports fans?" Brian chuckled.


"Relax, Ry. I'll buy you something too, if you'd like." Riley rolled her eyes.


"Just you wait until we go to the next store - my choice."


"That was the plan, wasn't it?" Brian smirked, causing Riley to growl slightly out of frustration. He usually doesn't take an hour in a sports store - but today he'd reason too - though, she obviously didn't know it and wouldn't know it until the surprise arrived.


"Just let me buy a few things and then we can go."


"Fine," Riley sighed. "I'm going to look at the baseball mitts - see if maybe I can pick up a couple for the kids. They need new ones." Brian nodded, then made his way over to the store clerk once she was out of sight. He talked to the man, who happened to be the manager, for a few minutes, then went off to find Riley again after buying a basketball and net for Dakota and Elenore. Riley smiled when she saw that he was finished.


"Finally finished torturing me, are we?" Brian nodded.


"Yes, I believe I am." Riley allowed him to take hold of her hand once more, as they exited the store.


"I'd like to go check out some clothes and things, if you don't mind," she told him. "I mean, a girl has to buy at least one outfit when shopping or else the trip wouldn't be worth it." Brian laughed.


"If you say so. I'm not a girl, so I'm afraid I don't know nor quite understand that theory - though, I'm sure AJ might." Riley laughed.


"I think AJ’s more in touch with his feminine side is all."


"Him and Howie - maybe that's why they're best friends," Brian replied, raising his eyebrows some. Riley just shook her head at him. "


“Crazy boy."


"Why, thank-you!" Brian grinned, bowing slightly, though never letting go of her hand. "I try." As they were walking through the store looking for a clothes store that Riley would be interested in they suddenly spotted cold stone and Brian eyed it longingly.


“We should stop and have some ice cream real quick. Riley please? Pleeease?” Riley laughed.


“Your starting to sound like Dakota honey.” Brian paused for a short moment and then realized that she’s right.


“Oh. Right. I am… well what can I say? I love the kid to death.” Riley smiled and shook her head, than she brought him over to the cold stone and they stood and waited in line. When they got up there Riley ordered cookies and cream ice cream in a cup and Brian got the same except vanilla with sprinkles. When they had their ice cream they went and sat down at a table and began to eat it.


"Mm....this is good. I love ice cream," Brian said, eagerly digging his spoon into his.


"I don't know how or why you call what you got ice cream," Riley replied. "I call it boring. I mean, c'mon? Vanilla? Nobody likes vanilla!"


"I do!" Brian grinned, taking great care to capture sprinkles onto his spoon, with minimal ice cream. "Sprinkles make it even better!" Riley laughed. "You look like a little kid digging into the most wonderful treat in the world."


"Well, ice cream is the most wonderful treat in the world!" Brian exclaimed. Riley just shook her head, laughing at him, as she went back to eating hers. She loves the man sitting in front of her so much. Everything about him. Even his childish-like quirks. That just makes him an even greater man then he already is. He’s so great with the children. Brian just sat there watching her as he ate his ice cream. As he did, he suddenly noticed some ice cream at the corner of her mouth. He chuckled a bit and she looked up at him.


“What?” she asked him curiously.


“You have a bit of ice cream at the corner of your mouth,” he pointed out.

“Oops,” Riley laughed a little and she reached for a napkin only to have him gently grab her hand into his. She looked at him curiously as he intertwined his fingers with hers. He gazed into her eyes for a few moments, than he cupped her chin in his hand, tilted her head back gently and he leaned in and captured her lips with his in a gentle kiss. Riley was a little surprised at first by his actions but then welcomed the kiss. She slid her arms around his neck kissing him back. Just when the kiss was getting intense, Riley’s phone rang making them both jump and pull back from each other. Brian groaned and thought whoever it is that’s calling has very bad timing. Riley reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone and she looked at the caller Id to see that it read “Chase”.


“Shit…” Riley cursed under her breath as she was suddenly thrusted out of the daze Brian’s kiss had left her in and she realized what the two of them had just done. She turned on her phone and placed it to her ear.


“Hello? Hi Chase…how’s your business going?” She asked, and she got up and walked away to talk to her husband in private. Brian sighed in frustration.


“Chase… right.” He said irritably as he too was thrown out of this little dream he’s been having for half a week now that Riley was all his. He had gotten so used to Chase being away and him having her all to himself. She was just finally starting to be happy again too… for the first time in a very long time. Just a couple of more days and all of that will end. Brian picked up his ice cream and started eating it again in hopes that it will crush this bitter mood that was suddenly trying to take over.

Chapter Thirteen:


"Hey D.! How's this one look?" Howie groaned as he looked over at the younger man who was his best friend. They'd been in this one store forever, though this was their second shop.


"Great Alex. Now, c'mon. I'd like to get shoes sometime today. I mean, do you really need a half hour in a hat store?"


"Howie, you have to take great care when picking out the perfect hat or else it - holy shit, I think I just found it!" A.J. said, putting a black and blue striped cowboy hat on his head. "Sweet!" He smirked as he went over to pay the cashier, stuffing his old hat into the bag she handed him, then ripping the price tag off the one currently on his head. "Alright, let's go!" Howie stood in amazement, as his friend just walked past him and out of the store.


"Half an hour for just one hat?" He commented, as he followed A.J. out. "I've a feeling we're going to be even longer while picking out shoes."


"D., man, relax," A.J. told the older man, draping his arm over his friend's shoulders. "We're shopping and I'm not the only picky one. I mean, c'mon! You've only bought that elephant for your mother, and that was a process in itself."


"My mother deserves the best," Howie answered haughtily. "And only the best."


"I never said she didn't," A.J. stated, eyeing his friend a moment. "But that don't mean you don't deserve the best too. And Howie, for once in your life, splurge, will yah?"


"I'm not impulsive, Alex," Howie reminded him. "I don't see something I like and buy it right then and there. I look for the practically." A.J. rolled his eyes.


"Sometimes the practical things, are the boring things."


"Alex, everyone's different," Howie replied. "You shop how you want to shop, and I’ll shop how I want to shop."


"I'm just playin' yah, D. No need to get cranky," A.J. told his friend, giving his cheek a sloppy kiss just because.


"Alex!" Howie exclaimed, wiping his face. "And we wonder why 'gay' rumors get spread!" A.J. just laughed as he led the way into the shoe store they had found.


~*~*~*~*~


By the time Elenore finished trying on all the clothes she liked Kevin ended up buying her an entire new wardrobe. Kevin had her try on the clothes and come out and show him, Nick, Ashley and Dakota and she looked adorable but Dakota stated there was just way too much pink. So Kevin and Elenore ended up going back out and picking some blue and purple outfits out too. Dakota tried on a few clothes, but didn’t get nearly as much as Elenore.


“Are you sure that’s all you want baby?” Nick asked her as she had finished trying on the last of her clothes.


“Yeah daddy I’s sure. I wanna shop in Hot topic.” Nick chuckled.


“Okay,” he replied and he went and stood in the line to buy the outfits Dakota had picked out while Dakota waited with Kevin and Elenore. Kevin had finally gotten Elenore to let him put her down and she was standing there holding onto his pantleg as she looked around at things. She suddenly spotted a pink tutu in the dress up section and she stood there eyeing it longingly. She’s always dreamed of being a ballerina but she’s been told she’s not pretty enough. Kevin saw her looking at it and he grinned. He then reached down and took hold of her hand and also Dakota’s and he brought them over there.


“Do you like to play dress up Elenore?”


“I don’ts know… I never played before.” Dakota looked at Elenore in shock. Dress up is one of her favorite games! Especially when she manages to talk Nick into putting on makeup.


“You’ve never played dress up before? Not ever?” Elenore shook her head. Dakota looked up at Kevin suddenly.


“Uncle Kevy can we gets some dress up clothes so me and Elenore can plays?”


“Mm hmm. Do you want the tutu Elenore?” Kevin asked gently.


“Uh-huhs…please?” Kevin took the tutu off of the hanger and he grabbed the matching slippers as well.


“Why don’t you girls pick out three or four different outfits and I will go pay for them.”


“Okay,” Dakota replied happily and she offered her new friend her hand. Elenore looked at her skeptically for a minute but then took a hold of it and allowed Dakota to bring her further into the dress up clothes and together the two of them picked out clothes. Kevin stayed close by and watched with a grin on his face. He knows when Elenore finally gets comfortable with her she and Dakota are going to be inseparable.



~*~*~*~*~*~


“After this we’re going to go find clothes for you sweetie. What stores are you interested in?” Nick asked Ashley gently as the two of them stand at the cashier’s desk and he watched the cashier ring up all of Dakota’s clothes and fold them up and put them into a bag. He wrapped his arm around Ashley’s waist and pulled her close and he looked into her eyes.


“I like Hot topic…I’m very into the whole rock thing. And then I like Tilly’s too…but Nicky I really don’t want you to spend your money on me.”


“Ash I told you it was fine. I want to buy you clothes it’s not a problem at all.”


“I just don’t want to be a burden on you….or a pain in the ass like I was to him…”


“You aren’t I promise,” Nick replied gently and he cupped her cheek in his hand and tilted her head back gently so she’s looking him in the eyes. “Far from it. You really don’t know how much I care about you and want to see you happy.”


“You buying me stuff isn’t the key to making me happy you know… just you being here with me will do the trick Nicky I promise.”


“Well maybe not… but that doesn’t mean I still can’t buy you presents from time to time. Everybody else is getting stuff I just thought maybe you should have something to leave the mall with too. And when was the last time you’ve been taken to the mall and just been completely spoiled hmm?”


“Since my mom was alive…” Ashley answered softly.


“That’s right. So today I am going to change that whether you like it or not,” he told her and he rested his forehead against hers as he suddenly had a silly grin on his face and she couldn’t help but giggle a little. Hearing her giggle only made him grin even bigger. He loves to hear her giggle and see her smile. He doesn’t know what it is but he is completely infatuated with her. Everything about her amazes him…and what he loves the most is she is completely different then his usual type of girls. How she is different… he’s not quite sure yet but she is. After a few moments of gazing into her eyes he looked back at the cashier to see him just finishing up on putting all of the clothes in the bag and he held it out to Nick.


“Thank-you,” Nick told him after taking the bag and he looked down at Ashley. She wrapped her arms around his waist as he walked over to Kevin, his baby, and Elenore. When they got to them they found Dakota and Elenore handing Kevin four sets of dress up clothes each. Nick raised his eyebrow curiously.


“What’s all this Kev?”


“Elenore and Dakota need more dress up clothes. So I decided I would buy them some.” Kevin answered, and he walked off to buy the clothes with Elenore now once again holding onto his pantleg. Nick grinned and looked down at Dakota who was beaming up at him happily. He suddenly gathered her up in his arms and he hugged her close and kissed her cheek. She slid her arms around his neck and he rubbed his nose lightly over hers for an Eskimo’s kiss.


“Dress up huh? I should’ve known you would con your uncle into buying some for you.” She giggled.


“They are for Elenore, Daddy. Elenore’s never played dress up before.”


“For Elenore huh? And I suppose Elenore was the one who asked him for the clothes right? Quiet little Elenore?”


“Uh-huhs she did all by herself.” Nick chuckled.


“You’re such a little trouble maker.”


“I Learn from the bestest though.” Nick laughed once again.


“That’s right baby you do.” He agreed. “But daddy needs to learn to watch himself more around you.” When Kevin finished up on buying the dress up clothes he lifted Elenore back into his arms and walked back over to Nick, Ashley, and Dakota.


“So where to next?”


“Ashley wants to go to Hot Topic and then Tilly’s.” Nick answered.


“Yay! Hot Topic!” Dakota cheered happily. Nick grinned at his baby girl in his arms and he rested his forehead against hers.


“Okie dokie… Hot Topic and Tilly’s it is then.” Kevin replied, and they headed out of Mervyn’s.


~*~*~*~*~*~


Riley walked over to the area where the bathrooms are and she leaned up against the wall as she listened to her husband on the phone.


“Business is going great. I miss you though… I can’t wait to see you.” he told her and Riley couldn’t help but smile a little bit.


“Really?”


“Mm hmm… I’m sorry about our little fight the other day. You reacted the way anyone would’ve reacted and I shouldn’t have been so mean.”


“It’s okay Chase… I miss you too. You’re going to be home on Friday right?”


“Yeah…will you?”


“Of course I will. I really want to see you…”


“Yeah same here. Maybe if you will give me the chance I can make up for that dinner I canceled?”


“With candles?” Riley asked, the excited tone evident in her voice.


“With candles, and music, and flowers…everything. All for my baby because I was such an asshole.” Riley once again smiled and she felt a single tear roll down her cheek.


“That would mean so much to me Chase…you have no idea.”


“What time do you get off of work on Friday sweetie?”


“Well I have to work all day and do the night shift too so I probably won’t be home until 10:30.”


“Okay perfect then I can spend all day at home planning our romantic evening together. I’m off that day and everything. But right now I’ve gotta go baby… I’m due for a dinner meeting with my boss in 30 minutes and I still need to get ready.”


“Okay I will let you go then. Bye Chase… I love you.”


“Love you too,” Chase replied and he hung up. Riley did the same and she happily went back over to Brian where he was still sitting at the table eating his ice cream. She sat down and took her own ice cream in her hands and she began to eat it too.


“So…what’d he want?” Brian asked, trying to suppress his jealousy and be supportive of her.


“He just called me to tell me he misses me and to apologize for being such an ass the other day.”


“Yeah?” Brian asked, and he looked back down at his ice cream and concentrated on the colorful sprinkles.


“Yeah and he’s going to make up for the candlelit dinner that he canceled out on. He says he’ll be home the entire day Friday so while I am at work he is going to spend that time planning it and will have it all ready by the time I get home.” Brian forced a smile upon his face as he looked at her.


“That’s wonderful. I’m glad the two of you worked things out.” He told her, and he stood up and went to the garbage can to throw his now finished ice cream away and as he had his back turned he blinked back his tears and made sure that they stayed back before turning back around.


“Shall we go find another store to look in? You can finish eating that while we shop.” Riley looked at Brian confused for a couple of minutes at how weird he’s suddenly acting, than she nodded and stood up. He offered her his hand and she took it and allowed him to lead her away from Cold Stone.


~*~*~*~*~


“So…Ashley.” Nick started as he followed her around Hot Topic as she has Dakota rested on her hip and he watched as the two of them picked out clothes together. Kevin had decided he would take Elenore and go get them all some drinks since the food court wasn’t that far away.


“Hmm?” Ashley asked as she was going through the children’s clothes looking for something in particular that she knows would be cute on Dakota.


“You said you were into the whole rock thing earlier. What are your favorite bands?”


“Well I like a lot of pop punk bands… like Good Charlotte, Simple Plan, Fall Out Boy, Green Day… and then I also like New Found Glory, The Ramones, Ozzy, Metallica, AFI, All American Rejects, Nirvana, Atreyu, HIM, My Chemical Romance, Senses Fail, The Used…and then of course I LOVE the 80’s too. Like Guns N Roses…they’re my absolute favorite right now. I’m very infatuated by Slash’s guitar playing like you wouldn’t believe. Def Leppard, Cinderella…basically all of the big hair bands from back in the day.”


“Wow… I never had you down as someone who listened to punk/rock music. You just seem so quiet and shy I just assumed you were more into pop music and such - especially since you‘re a Backstreet Boys fan.” Nick replied, as he stood there watching her in amazement as she listed her favorite bands. He can tell that music is one of the greatest loves in her life just by the way she talks about it.


“You would’ve seen a whole different person if you had gotten to know me when my parents were still alive and none of this had ever happened. Yeah I love the Backstreet Boys but I grew up with my sister for 12 years of my life so I couldn’t help but get into every punk/rock band there ever was. She’s the one who got me into it all. Her and I used to shop together in this store all the time…”


“It sounds like you and your sister were really close…”


“Yeah we were… she was the whole world to me. I looked up to her and idolized her so much sometimes I wanted to be her. She was my big sister and I went almost everywhere with her. Unless of course it was with her friends… then that was a whole different story. I was never allowed to hangout with her and her friends and I never understood why. It wasn’t like I was an annoying little sister or anything…and I wasn’t that much younger then her either so we were like best friends. But that part of her life was always off limits to me and I always got really angry about it but she kept saying it was for the best.” Ashley explained, and she looked back down at the clothes rack in front of her. She suddenly pulled down a red and black plaid skirt that would fit Dakota and she showed it to her.


“What do you think of this skirt Kota? I think it would look very adorable on you.”


“I likes it a lot Ashee. Can I try it on? Please?” Dakota asked eagerly.


“Mm hmm but why don’t we find you a cool shirt to try on with it?”


“Okay,” Dakota replied happily and Ashley carried her over to the big wall that has all of the band t-shirts displayed on it and then there are many different shelves with the t-shirts in them that come in different sizes.


“What kind of bands are you into Dakota?” Ashley asked her. “They have shirts displayed right up there. You choose what you want and I will help you find your size.” Dakota looked for a few minutes and she suddenly saw a black Green Day t-shirt with a zip down American Flag coffin on it and it says ‘Green Day’ in white bold letters. Dakota grinned. She loves Green Day! And Good Charlotte, and Simple Plan and Nirvana.


“I wants that Green Day t-shirt, Ashee” She announced, and she pointed to the particular t-shirt that she wanted. Ashley looked up at it and saw that it was the third t-shirt from the top so she went to that shelf and looked through the different sizes of shirts until she found Dakota’s size. She pulled it out and handed it to her before looking at Nick.


“Nicky Dakota wants to try these on. Can we go and ask someone to let us in one of the dressing rooms?”


“Mm hmm,” Nick replied, and he took her hand and brought her over to the counter with him.


“Excuse me but can we get a dressing room please? My daughter wants to try some clothes on.”


“Sure thing,” the man at the counter answered, and he came out from behind the counter and began to lead the way back to the dressing rooms and Nick and Ashley followed. When they got back there the man unlocked the door for them.


“There you go,” he said.


“Thanks,” Nick replied and the man walked away. Ashley put Dakota down and Dakota went into the dressing room and shut the door. She knows how to dress herself and doesn’t need help. Nick knows she’ll need help with the zipper on the skirt though but he can do that when she lets him in to see.


“So Kori went out with her friends a lot then?” Nick asked, continuing the conversation from earlier, hoping Ashley isn’t too upset to continue it and hoping that the question was innocent enough that she wouldn’t suspect anything.


“Yeah all the time. She was always out really late and sometimes snuck out to see her boyfriend a lot too. Her and our parents fought a lot because she always broke curfew.”


“What was her boyfriends name? Did you know?”


“Scott Hayden…why?”


“Just wondering. Just trying to make conversation is all,” Nick answered innocently.


“Oh,” Ashley replied. “Well yeah he was the only one out of all her friends that I actually knew. He was pretty much part of the family...” she added and Nick was relieved to see that she didn’t suspect anything. He decided he would drop the subject though just in case.


“Kota baby, are you almost done in there?”


“Yeah daddy I am. Can you come in here and help me with the zipper?”


“Mm hmm,” Nick answered and he opened the door and walked in there to help her. When he finished he opened the door all the way and looked at Ashley and so did Dakota.


“How do I look Ashee?” She asked her and Ashley smiled at her.


“Like the cutest little punk rock kid ever,” Ashley answered and Dakota giggled.


“What do you think daddy?”


“I think you look adorable just like you always do, Angel.” Nick answered and she beamed happily as she looked herself in the mirror.


“Can I gets it daddy?”


“You sure can. Why don’t you change into your regular clothes again and then you can meet me and Ashley back out there. I’m going to go with her and help her find some clothes for her now okay?”


“Kay,” Dakota replied and he kissed her cheek. He got up and walked out of the dressing room and Dakota shut the door. Since she knew her daddy wasn’t going to be standing there guarding the door anymore she locked it as well. Nick took Ashley’s hand and brought her back out into the store and she began to find clothes for herself now and he stayed close to her and watched and every now and then would give her an opinion. Both of them were unaware that someone other then their security was standing there watching them. He-who-shall-not-be-named was hiding on the other side of the store pretending to be looking at stuff but also making sure Ashley doesn’t recognize him. He’s not planning on attacking them or anything. Not yet anyway. He knows that he won’t be able to make it past those huge security guards that are keeping a close watch on them - Ashley especially. Nah… that would have to be when the time was right. All he wanted to do was watch them, listen to their conversation, and see just exactly who he is up against. Just by listening to Ashley and Nick’s conversation he knows exactly what his next move is going to be. He knows exactly what he needs to do. Why didn’t he think of this before? He could just kick himself for being so stupid. He then turned and left the store and he left the mall. He needs to get home and call Doctor Adams.

Chapter Fourteen:


As soon as Ashley had gathered up a bunch of clothes that she liked she took them into the dressing room and began to try them on and she would come out every now and then with a new outfit on to show Nick and Dakota as they stood out in the store and looked at things. There is no one in any of the other dressing rooms and there is no way anyone could possibly get back there without Nick and the security guards seeing them so Nick decided he wouldn’t bother standing there and guarding the door.


“Daddy look at these,” Dakota spoke up and Nick turned away from the t-shirts he was looking at and at her to find her standing there holding pink star shaped earrings.


“Wow, those are pretty neat baby.” He replied, and she beamed and went back to looking at all of the jewelry. He went over and knelt down next to her and the two of them looked at the jewelry together. He suddenly came across a black mesh choker with a red heart on it and he pulled it off of the display of jewelry.


“Look Kota, this would match your new skirt and Green Day t-shirt.” He told her. “And it would look very cute on you. Wanna try it on?”


“Yeah” she replied, smiling up at him and he helped her put it on.


“Come here, there’s a mirror right over here.” He told her, and he got up and took her hand and he brought her over to the mirror on one of the display cases and she looked into it and grinned.


“I likes it daddy it’s very cool,” she told him. “Can I gets it?”


“Mm hmm. You can have whatever piece of jewelry you want.” He told her. He helped her get it off again and handed it to her and she happily went back to the display case that she was looking at. He grinned and followed her back over there and he knelt down behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist as he rested his chin on her shoulder and he continued to look at the jewelry with her and help her pick it out. He loves that he got to have the afternoon off to go to the mall and spend time with his little girl for the first time as her daddy. The excitement still hasn’t worn off and its been almost an entire day. Every time he hears her call him daddy it makes him feel good inside. He doesn’t know what he would’ve done if he had actually let her go. Probably be jumping off a cliff somewhere or something. After a few minutes Kevin walked into the store with Elenore in his arms, her head rested upon his shoulder and she’s holding her drink and what looks like a wrapper with a cookie in it. He walked over to Nick and he and Dakota looked up at him.


“Hey you two… you were gone for a pretty long time just for getting drinks.”


“We decided to make a stop at paradise bakery too and get us some cookies. Then she spotted the carousel and wanted to ride on it so we did and we had so much fun. Didn’t we Elenore?” Kevin asked, looking down at the little girl in his arms and she smiled happily.


“Uh-huhs! We rode on dee pretty horse.”


“Aww that sounds like a whole lot of fun. Kota and I have been on that carousel so many times. Kota’s favorite to ride on is the unicorn because they’re her favorite.”


“Unicorns are pretty too,” Elenore agreed and Dakota smiled happily. Her new friend likes unicorns too! Things just couldn’t get any better. A daddy and a friend all in one day.


“Where is Ashley?” Kevin asked curiously, as he looked at Nick confused. He didn’t think he’d ever see him without Ashley by his side the entire time they were at the mall.


“She’s in the dressing room trying on clothes. She’s been coming out here and modeling for us so that we could give her our opinion.” Nick answered.


“Ooh, I see.” Kevin replied and he handed Nick and Dakota their drinks and then got out a chocolate chip cookie for Dakota and he handed that to her as well.


“Thank-you uncle Kevy.”


“Your welcome sweetie,” he replied and he handed the bag of cookies to Nick so he could pick one out for himself. The four of them looked around in Hot Topic for awhile as they waited on Ashley and she would come out and show them an outfit. When she finished and had picked out the clothes that she was keeping Nick took her to go pay for them. When he finished and the clothes were put in a bag he handed the bag to her and kissed her forehead.


“There. Now aren’t you glad you let me buy you clothes?”


“Yes Nicky, thank-you.” She replied softly and he smiled at her and slid his arms around her waist as he pulled her into a hug. She rested her head against his shoulder and he looked at Kevin who stood there still holding Ashley’s drink.


“Kev brought you a drink and a cookie, do you want them?” Ashley looked at Kevin not removing her arms from around Nick and she saw him standing there with two cups in his hand and a bag of cookies. Ashley nodded and Kevin smiled at her sweetly and handed her drink over. Then he opened the bag and pulled out another chocolate chip cookie and he gave that to her as well.


“So now what?” Nick asked, pretending not to have any clue what-so-ever where they’re going next.


“Toys daddy!” Dakota immediately answered and Nick smirked.


“Oh yeah, that’s right.” He then lifted her up and placed her on his left hip and he kept his arm around Ashley as he followed Kevin and Elenore out of Hot Topic.


“We’re going to KB’s, right?” Nick asked.


“Mm hmm. Unless you know of any other toy store in this mall.”


“Nope, that’s it.” Nick replied and he followed the older man through the mall. When they found it Kevin lead them all in there and Dakota’s energy level suddenly rose again as she became very excited.


"TOYS!" Dakota squealed excitedly, squirming down from Nick's arms and running inside, then turning to wait for Nick, Kevin, Ashley, & Elenore. Elenore’s eyes went wide, as she'd never actually been inside a toy store. Nick laughed, as he followed Dakota inside, while holding onto Ashley's hand. He knows how his baby girl can get when she's in a toy store.


"Ready to toy shop?" Nick asked, smiling.


"YEAH!" Dakota exclaimed, running back to grab his hand and attempt to hurry him along by yanking on it. "C'mon Daddy! Let's go!"


"Seems someone is overly excited," Kevin chuckled, as he followed them in, carrying Elenore - who didn't like to have to let go of him at all - not that he minded carrying her most everywhere. He was amazed at how easily she'd latched onto him, considering they'd just met earlier that morning. Dakota led the way to the dolls - the Barbies, Bratz, Polly Pockets, and all the other wonderful girly toys that were there.


"Looks Elenore! We can gets some dolls to plays with!" Elenore looked surprised - she hadn't expected to be able to get any - just being in a toy store was enough excitement for her. She glanced up at Kevin, to make sure Dakota was telling the truth. Kevin nodded, smiling wide.

"Anything you'd like, Sweetie. Just point it out, and you can have it." Elenore's eyes went even wider at that. What luck! The Backstreet Boys, new clothes and dress-up stuff, cookies, and toys all in the same day! She glanced back down at Dakota then, to see what her friend was checking out - her friend. She really liked the sound of that! Dakota eagerly grabbed up what she thought Elenore might like and would show the toy to her, and if it was liked, she tossed it into the cart that security had grabbed for them. Security knew how the little girl liked to toy shop. Once done in the doll department, they moved onto the stuffed animals.


"Looks! Teddy Bears!!!!!" Dakota shrieked delightedly, running over and tackling the biggest one there. "Uncle Kevy! Elenore's just gots to have this one!" Kevin smiled and nodded his agreement.


“Would you like that Teddy Bear, Elenore? You can have him if you'd like. And a smaller one as well." Elenore's eyes were quite round, as she nodded eagerly, unable to believe the Bear that was almost as big as Ashley was going to be hers! Kevin smiled and nodded to the one security guard, who got the Teddy Bear a cart all of its own. "Would you like to ride in there with him? Or do you want me to still carry you?" Elenore thought a moment, then reached for the Teddy Bear, deciding to be brave enough and leave Kevin's side for a little bit. But, if she got scared or worried again, she was going to demand he pick her back up - immediately. She was not going to let him leave her behind like her mother had! No way hoseé! Kevin still smiled, as he stuck her in the cart in front of the Teddy Bear. "There you go. Now you two can ride together, while I push the cart." Elenore flashed him a shy grin, as she snuggled into the huge Teddy Bear. She watched silently though, to make sure that Kevin indeed was going to push the cart and not abandon her.


"Daddy! Daddy! Can I haves this Care Bear!?" Dakota asked suddenly, her voice ringing out loudly. "Please Daddy?"


"Sure, you can have Good Luck Bear, Baby," Nick agreed, ready and willing to let his little girl have anything her heart desired today.


"Would you like a Care Bear too?" Kevin asked Elenore, who nodded shyly. "Which would you like?" Elenore eyed them all for a moment, before finally pointing to Bedtime Bear, Grumpy Bear, and Tenderheart Bear. Kevin grinned. She was getting the hang of it. "Why, of course! Can't just have one and not his friends. He'd get lonely otherwise." Elenore nodded her agreement, then held Tenderheart over the side of the cart, insisting quietly that Dakota have him.


"This fer me?" Dakota questioned, taking the Care Bear with great care. Elenore nodded, smiling. She wanted her new friend to have Tenderheart - her most favorite Care Bear of all - along with Grumpy and Bedtime Bear of course.


"Thank-you Elenore!" Dakota exclaimed, hugging Tenderheart tight. "Here Daddy!" Nick laughed, as he was handed the special Care Bear and set him in the other cart gently.


"There we go. He looks mighty happy to see Good Luck Bear again." The girls both giggled, making Nick, Kevin, and Ashley all smile as well - especially since Elenore didn't seem to smile, more or less giggle much.


"She seems rather happy," Ashley whispered to Nick.


"I think Kevin is gonna spoil her more than I spoil Dakota," Nick whispered back, smiling though. Ashley giggled.


"Is that even possible, Nicky?" Nick shrugged innocently, giving her hand a squeeze.


"Let's just see who leaves with the most toys today." Kevin eyed them both warily.


"And just what are you two laughing at over there?" He demanded, as they moved on into the action figure aisle.


"Wouldn't you like to know," Nick replied, smirking. Kevin shook his head.


"I'm thinking I don't." An excited squeal was heard then and all eyes snapped to the front of Kevin's cart, where Dakota was standing next to it and Elenore still riding in it. They were surprised to see Elenore's whole face lit up, as she leaned out of the cart some, reaching for a Ninja Turtles plushie.


"You like Ninja Turtles?" Kevin queried, as he helped her retrieve the Donatello plushie she was reaching for.


"Uh-huhs," Elenore answered, nodding like crazy. She'd seen them once or twice, when she snuck some T.V. time in late one Friday night when her parents had gone out.


"Can I haves some? Please?" She asked hopefully. Kevin saw the hopeful look on her face and couldn't help but feel proud of the fact that he alone was going to be able to make the little one smile plenty.


"Yes, you may, Little One. You may have as many as you'd like." Elenore squealed again, eagerly pointing out which ones she wanted to Dakota, who in turn would grab them and hand them to her - unless she required help in reaching them.


"I think Kota's found a friend," Ashley told Nick. "They're so cute together."


"I think Elenore's found one too," Nick agreed. "They're going to be inseparable, once she gets used to everyone. I can tell." After another hour in KB Toys, they left with three carts full. One full of dolls, Barbies, two Brats, loads of clothes, and Care Bears. The second full of action figures, board games, coloring books, books, and crayons. And the third - the third held two giggling little girls and a humungous Teddy Bear.

Chapter Fifteen:


Nick and Kevin took the toys out to the cars and they loaded them all into two trunks each as they were not all going to fit into just one. When they finished they each took a child from the cart and Nick took hold of Ashley’s hand before following Kevin back into the mall. They then decided that they were going to go into Kevin and Daddy stores for the remainder of the time. They all stayed at the mall for two hours more, than they all met up at the entrance they planned to meet at and got into the two cars and they went back to the Orphanage. When they got there they walked inside to find Brooke talking to Doctor Johnson and Doctor Adams. Ashley immediately moved closer to Nick and she slid her arms around his waist and buried her face into his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her in return and held her close protectively.


“It’s okay honey… I won’t let him touch you,” he told her gently and looked back at everyone else before leading Ashley straight to the elevator in attempt to get her far away from Doctor Adams as possible and Dakota followed him. When the elevator opened the three of them stepped inside and when the door was closed Ashley looked up at him. He placed his hand to her cheek and gently caressed it as he looked into her eyes concerned.


“Are you okay?” Ashley shook her head and fell into his arms wrapping her own tightly around his waist like someone or something was going to try and rip her from his grasp. She had not expected to see Doctor Adams the minute she stepped into the Orphanage. Infact for the first time ever he wasn’t even on her mind. She’s had one of the best days ever and then it all came crashing down when memories of earlier’s incident in her room came flooding back. Nick can feel his t-shirt starting to dampen from her tears on his shoulder. He sighed and then gently rubbed his hand over her back and he kissed her forehead.


“It’s okay sweetie… you’re safe. I’m right here and I’m not going to let that monster near you. I promise…” he told her. Monster… Ashley thought. Monster seems like such an understatement when describing Doctor Adams. But is there really any better word to describe him? He doesn’t know just how much of a monster Doctor Adams really is. If he knew the things he did and said behind his back… if he knew what the horrible things he did to her earlier that morning really were…Well he just can’t find out. He can never find out. He made her swear on her mother and father’s grave that she wouldn’t tell anyone what he did and she is determined to keep that promise. He can’t find out about this morning, or what happened in the past. Yes… in the past. Doctor Adams is one of his friends and he has harmed her before. She didn’t know it until this morning. She didn’t recognize him because when she last saw him at his house she was all drugged up and everything he did to her was all one big blur. But she knew from the very moment she was placed in the Orphanage he couldn’t be trusted and this morning everything came back to her and she knew exactly why he couldn’t be trusted. When the elevator reached the right floor he brought her out into the hall with Dakota at his heels and they went to his and Dakota’s room. They went inside it and he set her Hot Topic bag on the floor before sitting on the bed and gathering her up in his arms so he’s cradling her. She rested her head against his shoulder as he held her close to him. A few minutes later Brian, Riley, AJ, Howie, and Kevin who still held Elenore all walked into the room and Nick, Ashley, and Dakota all looked at them.


“Is she okay?” AJ asked all concerned.


“Yeah she’s fine. She just wasn’t expecting to see Doctor Adams right when she walked in after having such an amazing day so it scared her,” Nick explained. He sat there watching her in silence for a couple of minutes as he wiped her tears and rubbed his hand over her back. After a few minutes he looked at Riley.


“Riley I want to move Ashley in here with me and Dakota. Permanently.”


“How are you going to do that Nick? There is only one bed in here. Are you going to just continue to share a bed together? The three of you?”


“Well Kota can crawl into bed with us whenever she gets scared but I was thinking that maybe I could go out and buy a bed with a twin sized mattress on it for her and Ashley and I will have the big bed. I don’t want her in that other room by herself Ry. Dakota and I sleep with her every night anyway so it won’t be anything new really.”


“Okay that’s fine if you really want to.”


“Then Ashee’s old room can be Elenore’s room!” Dakota replied happily and Riley smiled at her.


“Of course sweetie. I’m sure she would love to be right next door to you.” Dakota smiled happily. Riley looked back at Nick suddenly.


“Well why don’t you move her in there now then so she’ll be all settled in for tonight. I’m going to go downstairs to talk to Brooke.”


“Okay” Nick replied, and Riley, AJ, Howie, and Kevin all left the room - Kevin holding Elenore still but Brian and Dakota stayed behind. Nick looked at him curiously.


“Is it okay if I maybe stay and help you?” Brian asked, and Nick noticed a depressed look on his best friend’s face.


“Yeah sure Frick…” Nick replied as he eyed his friend for a moment. ‘What’s going on between him and Riley now?’ he wondered. “Will you stay in here and keep an eye on her while I go into her room and gather up her stuff?”


“Sure,” Brian nodded and Nick sat Ashley down on the bed beside him. He placed his finger to her chin and gently titled her head back so she’s looking at him.


“You okay?” He asked her gently and she nodded.


“Just don’t leave me alone Nicky…”


“Never honey,” Nick promised and he got up and left the room leaving her with Brian and Dakota. Ashley looked at Brian for a couple of minutes. Just looking at him she knows he’s not happy in the least bit and this bothers her. She loves to look at Brian and see that big silly grin that is usually plastered on his face… especially when she’s scared out of her mind. It always comforts her. She then reached over and took his hand into hers and he looked at her curiously.


“What’s the matter?”


“Nothing sweetie…don’t worry about it okay?”


“Brian come on…I know better than that. I may have known you for a short time but I think I know you enough to determine when you aren’t happy. What happened between you and Riley now?” Brian sighed and was silent for a couple of minutes before answering.


“Well… I kissed her at the mall today,” He finally revealed and Dakota gasped as she looked at her uncle all wide-eyed and a big smile on her face.


“You kissed her? Well what’s wrong with that Bri? Everybody knows you love her and she loves you.”


“Well…the problem is, her husband kind of called right in the middle of it and interrupted us.”


“Oh…” Ashley replied softly. “That really sucks…I’m sorry honey.”


“Yeah and he called her and apologized for their big huge fight that they had the other day and told her that when he comes home he’s going to make up for the romantic dinner he canceled out on. He made her all happy and everything and of course she forgot all about our little moment we shared. At least she’s pretending she forgot about it anyway…” Brian explained. “And I don’t know what to do… I am so in love with her that it hurts. This is killing me having to sit here and watch her be with a guy that doesn’t treat her right at ALL. I just know this whole business meeting of his was one big lie. His boss is a woman… a very attractive woman and he’s totally having an affair with her. And Riley is so blinded by the whole thing and won’t believe it even if I told her he is because she loves him. Sometimes I just wish I could give up. Sometimes I just wish I could stop loving someone who is never going to love me back. I just wish I could move on.” Brian explained, as tears threatened to fall from his eyes but he blinked them back the best that he could.


“You can’t give up on her Brian. Don’t EVER give up on her. Especially if her husband is cheating. If that’s the case… then she’s going to eventually find out…and yes, we girls ALWAYS find out these things one way or another so I don’t understand why guys even try to get away with it. When she does she’s going to need you the most. Just give her time… she’ll come around. She loves you… I can see it.”


“So can I,” Dakota spoke up, and Brian couldn’t help but grin at her.


“Oh you can, can you?”


“Uh-huhs. She looks at you just like Ashee looks at daddy. And the way Daddy looks at her.” Brian looked at Ashley and he saw that her face was suddenly turning a bright shade of red. He chuckled.


“Yes, and we ALL know Ashee loves your daddy huh.” Dakota nodded happily.


“Uh-huhs!”


“I-I…do not….” Ashley replied but the smile on her face didn’t convince them otherwise.


“Well that’s a shame… because he’s totally in love with you.” Brian replied quietly so Nick couldn’t hear - or so he thought. Little did they know…Nick had been standing outside the door the entire time listening to them talk. He could also hear them all the way in Ashley’s room and heard Brian’s whole confession. He has Ashley’s posters that they painted together the other night and a few of her clothes in his hands and he is just standing there waiting for the right moment to walk in.


“He is?” Ashley asked, and Brian could hear the hopeful tone in her voice as could Nick.


“Well of course he is. From the very moment he met you he was in love.” Ashley couldn’t help but laugh a little bit.


“Really? Even after I was so horrible to him?”


“I think that’s one of the things that drew him to you the most. He’s not used to being treated like shit by a girl. The reason he hasn’t said anything or made any kind of move is because he’s waiting until you’re ready.”


“…That’s what the flowers, the special breakfast, and all of his surprises were about then.”


“Yup…he’s slowly trying to find his way to your heart. It’s a shame that you don’t feel the same way though. You two would make a cute couple.” Brian replied, grinning at her with a knowing smile at the last part.


“He’s already found his way to my heart,” Ashley finally admitted. Her voice so soft that Nick had to strain just to hear her. “He’s the first man I’ve ever been able to trust after the last one nearly killed me. I feel safe with him and know he could never hurt me. He has my heart… he just needs to claim it now.”


“That’s great honey…good to hear you admit it,” Brian replied, still grinning at her.


“And it’s good to see you smiling again.”


“I have you to thank for that. Nick was right… you really are good at giving advice.” Ashley smiled at him.


“Well I try,” she replied.


“What do you try?” Nick asked, suddenly coming into the room and pretending that was the first thing he had heard. Brian, Dakota, and Ashley all looked at him.


“To give good advice,” Ashley answered.


“You were right Nick. Ash is great at giving advice.” Nick smirked and he went and sat on the bed next to Ashley after putting her stuff down and he pulled her gently into his lap so he is cradling her.


“Doesn’t she though?” He agreed and he looked down at her, looking into her eyes and he brushed some of her hair out of her face tucking it behind her ear. Brian who sat there watching him notices the look in his best friend’s eyes and he suddenly realized he had been standing outside the door listening all a long and had heard Ashley’s confession. Brian smirked as he knows it’s not going to be too long before those two are finally together. Maybe sooner than both Howie and AJ think. Maybe he should get in on their little bet. Nick, Brian, and Dakota sat there for an hour just talking then they went downstairs for dinner. When they got down there all of the kids were being let in because Riley and them had already set up the cafeteria and everything. When they walked into the cafeteria they found the rest of their band mates and Riley, Doctor Johnson, and even Brooke this time sitting at the table eating. Nick looked at Brian who was about to go make his plate.


“Bri man can you do me a favor?”


“Yeah sure Frack what’s up?”


“Take Ashley with you so she can make her plate? I’m going to go talk to Riley about something.”


“Okay. Want me to help Kota too?”


“If you don’t mind…”


“Not at all,” Brian replied and he looked down at Dakota who reached up for him. He gathered her up in his arms and shifted her so she rested on his left hip and he took a hold of Ashley’s hand and began to bring them over to the crowded island. Nick went over to the table and sat down in the empty chair next to Riley.


“Hey Nick…what’s up?” She asked.


“I need to talk to you before Ashley gets back over here.”


“Is everything okay?”


“Well I just wanted to tell you about the conversation her and I had in Hot Topic today. It involves Kori.” Riley raised her eyebrow at him curiously. “She had mentioned to me in Mervyns that she was really into the whole rock thing… so while we were in Hot Topic I asked her what her favorite bands were and she told me. Afterward I told her I never had her down as someone who listened to rock music and she replied saying that if I had gotten to know her when her parents were alive and none of this had ever happened then I would’ve seen a whole different person. She mentioned that Kori was the one who got her into every punk rock band there ever was and that the two of them used to shop in Hot Topic together all the time. Then I replied saying she and her sister must’ve been very close and she said that they were and began to explain to me how she looked up to her sister and went almost everywhere with her except if it involved her friends. Kori never allowed her to hang out with her friends and they used to argue about it a lot. Kori just kept telling her that it was for the best. She stayed out late past her curfew a lot, snuck out of the house all the time to be with her boyfriend, and her and her parents fought all the time.”


“Did you get the boyfriend’s name?”


“Yeah. Ash says his name was Scott Jackson. She says that he was the only one out of all of Kori’s friends that she knew and was allowed to hang out with.”


“Hmm… that’s interesting.”


“Maybe she was in some sort of gang or something…” AJ spoke up. Everyone at the table had been listening in on their conversation. “Or witnessed something she wasn’t supposed to and that’s why she ran away. She wouldn’t let her little sister be a part of it because she loved her and she meant a great deal to her so to protect her she hid that part of her life from her.”


“Yeah… and maybe that gang has something to do with Ashley’s attacker and that’s why he’s after her. It could even be related to her parent’s death too.” Nick replied.


“We really need to find Kori…” Doctor Johnson spoke up. “I have a bad feeling about that nightmare Ashley had. Kori may be in grave danger…”


“Yeah but where do we start?” Riley asked.


“We could start with this Scott Jackson guy…I’ve got a detective already and willing to find her but he’s just been waiting on Ashley to give us some information. I can give him a call after dinner.” Doctor Johnson spoke up.


“Okay that would be good,” Riley replied and suddenly they noticed Brian coming back with Dakota and Ashley and they each are holding plates in their hand - Brian holding two.


“Here Nick, I made your plate for you.” Brian announced, and he handed the plate over to him.


“Thanks Bri,” Nick replied after pulling out the chair next to him for Ashley to sit down and he allowed Dakota to crawl up into his lap. Brian sat in the other empty chair beside Ashley and they all changed the subject as they ate dinner.



~*~*~*~*~*~


After dinner they took Elenore and Dakota into the playroom where some of the other kids had gone to play at before bed time.

“Elenore you wanna come play blocks withs me?” Dakota asked eagerly when Kevin had put her down. Elenore looked up at Kevin for approval. Kevin grinned.


“Go on sweetie, go have some fun.” Elenore gave Kevin a skeptic look as she is still afraid to leave him. She’s still afraid that he is going to set her down and abandon her the way her mother had done. Kevin who seemed to have read her mind crouched down in front of her and he took her hands into his.


“I’m not leaving you sweetheart I promise you. I will be right here the whole time talking to the grownups. Okay? So go have lots of fun with your new friend and if you need me I will be right here.”


“Kay,” Elenore replied softly and Kevin grinned.


“That’s a good girl,” he told her and she turned and looked at Dakota who now fully understood why Elenore is the way she is. She had asked Nick earlier while they were upstairs why she was so quiet and scared all the time and hardly ever let Kevin put her down. He explained to her that her mommy and daddy weren’t very nice to Elenore at all and it’s been a very long time since she’s been loved. So it’s important that she take very special care of her new friend and make her feel right at home. And Dakota was going to do just that. Dakota offered her a hand and Elenore took it allowing her to lead her over to the blocks center. When they got over there Dakota immediately began to pull out all of the blocks and the two girls began to build what looked like a tower together. Kevin smiled at the two of them and then looked at everyone else who was also watching them and they all began to talk as they let the kids play happily together. It wasn’t long though until suddenly they were joined by Josh.


“Hey Dakota…who is your new friend?” Josh asked and Dakota looked up at him with narrowed eyes.


“None of your business Josh so go away!” Dakota demanded as she grabbed a hold of Elenore’s hand protectively. Elenore eyed the boy in front of her and just one look at him and she already knew that she wasn’t going to like him. She can just tell by watching the way Dakota and Josh act toward each other that he bullies her all the time.


“I believe it is my business, Dakota. Tell me who she is or I will knock that tower of yours down.”


“Her name is Elenore, okay? Happy? Now go away!”


“Well hi there Elenore. I’m Josh. What are you doing hanging out with a loser like her for? Well, you’re the new kid… so I guess you didn’t know. I can help you out there. Why don’t you come hang out with me and my friends?”


“That’s okay I can choose my friends all on my own and you aren’t one of them.” Elenore replied, and she wrapped her arm around Dakota loyally. The frown on Dakota’s face disappeared and she leaned into Elenore while smiling slightly. She was scared for a minute there that Elenore would turn on her just like everyone else seems to do when Josh comes along.


“You’re making a huge mistake, you know. I’ve known Dakota for two years now and she’s a spoiled little brat. You will regret it after awhile.”


“Funny…she’s been real nice to me. Kota is my best friend and I will never leaves her. The only loser I see around here is you.” Josh’s jaw dropped at her words. No one has ever called Josh a loser before and it made him very angry. Who does this new kid think she is?


“Take that back.”


“No!”


“Take it back now or I will kick your block tower over!”


“NO! I worked hard on that’s!“ Dakota pleaded.


“Then tell your stupid friend to take it back or I will do it, Dakota!”


“I will NOTS take back something that I meant!”


“Fine, have it your way.” Josh replied, and he kicked the block tower down making Dakota scream and then start crying. This sent Elenore into a rage. No one upsets her best friend and gets away with it! No one. She suddenly lunged herself at him and she shoved him to the ground. Josh landed on his back pretty hard and he began to cry.


“DON’TS YOU DARE UPSET MY FRIEND LIKE THAT! NO ONE UPSETS MY BESTEST FRIEND AND GETS AWAY WITHS IT! AND I AM NOTS STUPID!” she shouted at him causing all of the adults to turn their heads toward the situation Josh had started. “I AM JUST AS SMART AS YOU, JUST AS OLD AS YOU, AND JUST AS TALL AS YOU, AND I HAVE BEEN THROUGH WAY MORE TORTURE THEN YOU PUTS KOTA THROUGH ALL THE TIME AND HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH BEATING YOU UP!” Suddenly Kevin, Nick and Riley ran over to them. Kevin scooped Elenore up into his arms stopping her from trying to go after Josh some more and Riley went to tend to a crying Josh while Nick kneeled down in front of his crying daughter and he pulled her into a hug.


“Baby what happened? What’s going on?” He asked her gently.


“Josh knocked our tower down and called Elenore stupid so she gots angry and shoved him to the ground,” Dakota answered and she wrapped her arms around him and buried her face into his shoulder where she continued to cry. Nick sat there rubbing her back and he looked at Kevin who took Elenore out into the hall as she was now crying out of fear that she was going to be in trouble for being bad. She hadn’t meant to be bad… she was only sticking up for her best friend. Now Kevin was going to abandon her just like her mommy had done. She just knows it.



~*~*~*~*~*~


Meanwhile down in the basement doctor Adams was sitting at a desk waiting on him to call. Just like he always did at that time of night. When the phone finally rung he turned it on and put it to his ear.


“Hello?” He asked into the phone.


“Hey Trevor it’s me.”


“Oh hey Boss. What’s up? Did you follow Ashley around the mall today?”


“Yeah I did… and I think I may have a plan.” Doctor Adams raised his eyebrow curiously.


“Yeah? What is it?”


“Well… I was listening to Ashley and Nick’s conversation earlier and she was telling him about Kori and how close the two of them were when they were younger and how she would never let her hang out with her and her friends but would never tell her why. Hearing that her and Kori were close and how much she cared about her gave me this idea and I nearly kicked myself for not thinking about it before. What if we used Ashley as bait to lure Kori to us?” Hearing this Doctor Adams became even more interested.


“You mean kidnap her from the Orphanage?”


“No… we wouldn’t even have to do that. We could just make her think that we have Ashley and that we will kill her if she doesn’t come to us. We could even send her a video as proof. I still have all the porn videos we recorded of her.” Doctor Adams now looked skeptical.


“How are we going to do that when we don’t even know where she is?”


“She has to still be keeping in touch with someone in her group of friends. We’ll just spread the news around and it will eventually get to her. When she hears her baby sister is in trouble she will be forced to contact us.” Doctor Adams smirked.


“Let’s do it then.”

Chapter Sixteen:


“What happened in there honey?” Kevin asked Elenore when they were out in the hallway. He went to set her down but she screamed and flung her arms around his neck and she held onto him tight and continued crying.


“DON’TS put me down! PLEASE I DIDN’TS MEAN TO BE BAD! PLEASE DON’TS LEAVE ME!”


“Honey I need to put you down so that I can talk to you…I‘m not going anywhere I promise,” he explained, but Elenore only tightened her grip on him. He sighed. He thought for a couple of minutes, than he leaned his back up against the wall and slid down it so that he was sitting on the floor with his legs in the bending position and her rested comfortably against his chest. He rested his forehead against hers and held her close to him just letting her cry and he rocked her in his arms. After a long while when she was somewhat calm he looked down at her causing her to look up at him.


“Talk to me sweetie…what happened?”


“I didn’t’s mean to be bad…” Elenore answered softly. “I-I was only protecting Kota.”


“I’m not mad at you honey…it’s okay. So why don’t you tell me all about it?” He reassured her and he sat there and listened as she began to explain to him the whole story.


~*~*~*~*~



“Aren’t you going to get Elenore in trouble for pushing me?” Josh integrated Riley when he saw that she wasn’t doing anything about it.


“Usually I would… but in this case I think I’m going to let her slide. She’s new here and doesn’t know the rules and you shouldn’t have been harassing the girls anyway. You know better.”


“BUT-”


“-Maybe being pushed around by a girl will teach you something. Maybe now you will learn to leave Dakota alone.” Josh scowled and he turned around and stomped off toward his friends. Riley looked at Nick to find him sitting on the floor with Dakota standing in front of him with her arms wrapped around his neck and she was just standing there sniffling now. He rested his forehead against hers and looked into her watery eyes as he rubbed his hand over her back.


“You’re okay baby…everything’s fine.”


“It’s nots fair though, daddy! Everything I do, everything I own ends up getting ruined or taken away cause of him! I worked hard on that tower and then he just came a long and knocked it down!”


“I know it’s not fair honey…I know. But hey look at it this way…you’re pretty lucky to have such a good friend like Elenore huh? I have a feeling she’s not going to tolerate Josh picking on you and things are going to start changing around here…for the better. He may take your toys and ruin all of your things, but there is one thing he can’t take from you and she’s sitting right out in the hall with your uncle Kevin. For the first time in your life you have a real friend Dakota… and she really cares about you. Things are going to start getting better I promise. I can feel it… so just hang in there okay?” Dakota nodded.


“Kay…” Nick gently wiped away her remaining tears with his finger and she again wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder. He slid his arms around her waist and hugged her close. “I love you daddy…”


“I love you too honey,” he told her and she kissed his cheek. He then stood up with her in his arms and he brought her over to the rest of the guys and Ashley and Riley followed.


“Hey squirt…you okay?” AJ asked gently and Dakota nodded and reached for him. He gently took her from Nick and cuddled her close to him and he kissed her forehead affectionately. She rested her head against his shoulder and hugged him tight. She loves her uncle AJ so much. Suddenly Kevin walked back in with Elenore in his arms who was still slightly upset and not sure if she was in trouble or not even though Kevin reassured her over and over again that she wasn’t. Kevin walked over to the group and he looked at Riley.


“I promised her that she wasn’t going to get into trouble…she’s not is she?”


“Nah… I don’t see anything wrong with sticking up for a friend,” Riley answered and she gave Elenore a comforting smile that made Elenore feel safe. “However that doesn’t mean how she handled it was okay. Elenore if Josh is harassing you or Dakota I want you to come to me about it okay? And I will take care of it. Shoving people around usually lands those who are familiar with the rules in time out or up in their rooms and grounded. Today is your first day though and he did start it so I’m letting you slide just this once. Okay?”


“Kay,” Elenore replied softly. Dakota suddenly slid from AJ’s arms and looked up at Elenore. Kevin kneeled down in front of her and put Elenore down. Elenore kept a firm grasp on Kevin’s shirt but she looked at Dakota shyly. Dakota wrapped both her arms around Elenore and she hugged her tightly but not too tight to hurt her.


“I have the bestest new friend in the whole world,” she told her softly but everyone still heard her.


“Aww..” Riley said smiling and she looked at Nick who was wiping away a tear that had escaped from his eyes. For the first time in her entire four years of living his little girl is truly happy. She got a daddy and a new best friend all in one day. The two things she has always wanted. Elenore eventually let go of Kevin and she wrapped both her arms around her and returned her hug. Kevin grinned as he is happy that she finally feels safe enough to let him go but he made sure to stay right where he was just incase. Nick turned and looked at Ashley. He took her hand in his and gently squeezed it. After a few minutes Dakota eventually had talked Elenore into going back over to the blocks so they could continue to play and Kevin, Howie, AJ, Brian, and Riley went back to talking. Nick on the other hand kept a hold of Ashley’s hand as he brought her over to the small table with the paints. He sat down in the only chair left as there are a bunch of little kids at the table and he gently pulled her into his lap so she’s facing the table. She looked up at him curiously and he smiled at her.


“Paint with me?” he asked her and without waiting for an answer he grabbed a paper and a paint brush. She reached over and gathered all of the paints and she began to set it all up. He smirked and slid his arms around her waist and he rested his chin on her shoulder. When the paints were ready the two of them began to paint both of them not having a care in the world that they’re being watched by their friends.


“Is it too late to join in on your little bet, D and Aje?” Brian asked, turning to Howie and AJ. They raised their eyebrow.


“Why?” AJ asked and Brian shrugged.


“Because I have a feeling they’re going to be together a lot sooner then you two think is all.”


“Alright…what do you think then?” Howie questioned.


“By tomorrow.”


“What makes you think that?”


“I just have a feeling is all,” Brian answered, once again shrugging his shoulders. Howie raised his eyebrow and looked at AJ. AJ shrugged and then looked back at Brian. After an hour had gone by that they were in the playroom it was getting to be about that time when the kids were supposed to be starting to head upstairs. Riley told them all to clean up and do just that so they did. Dakota and Elenore cleaned up their blocks, than they got up. Elenore went straight to Kevin and Dakota to Nick who still sat at the paint table but he was now the only one painting as Ashley had turned sideways in his lap and slid her arms around his waist before resting her head upon his chest and falling asleep.


“Daddy did you and Uncle Kevy ever gets mine and Elenore’s toys out of the car?


“Of course sweetie. They’re upstairs in you rooms waiting for you. Kev and I got Elenore’s room set up right after dinner so it’s all ready for her.” Dakota grinned happily.


“Kay.” He then began to help all of the kids at the table clean up the paints and when he finished he stood up cradling Ashley in his arms and he went back to the group as did Dakota.


“Wow, she’s out.” AJ said while chuckling a bit and Nick smiled down at the sleeping beauty in his arms. Oh how he loves her. And she likes him too! That makes it even better.


“Yeah… I’m going to get her and Dakota in bed. I will see you all tomorrow right?” he asked, looking around at his band mates minus Brian. He knows he will see Brian.


“Yup,” they all replied in unison.


“You’ll be seeing me sooner then all of them. I don’t think I’m leaving tonight,” Kevin replied as he looked down at Elenore who was already half asleep in his arms and she’s got his shirt clutched tightly in her small little hands.


“Aww…” Howie laughed. “Nick and Dakota all over again…almost.”


“Yeah almost. No one can top the relationship between Nick and Dakota…no offense Kev.” Brian added.


“None taken cause I agree,” Kevin replied. “If there was a daddy of the year award Id definitely nominate him.” Nick blushed suddenly.


“Alright well anyway, like I said, I need to get these two to bed.” He replied and he looked down at Dakota who was standing there holding onto his pant leg.


“Come one sweetie,” he told her and he walked out of the room carrying his sleeping beauty and Dakota walked closely behind him. They got into the elevator and went upstairs. When they were up there they went into Nick and Dakota’s room, which was now Ashley’s room as well and he lay her on the bed and covered her up before looking at Dakota.


“Okay baby lets get you into your pajamas. Do you want to watch Little Mermaid before bed?”


“Yeah daddy, please!” Dakota replied eagerly. He smiled at her and then went and grabbed the bag of clothes that Brooke had packed earlier that morning when Dakota was almost adopted. He got out her pajamas and handed them to Dakota before shutting their bedroom door and she began to change clothes. When she finished she crawled onto the bed and sat next to Ashley being careful not to wake her.


“Daddy where are my care bears?” Nick went to the Kb toy store bags that he sat on the floor earlier and he got out her two care bears - Tenderheart that Elenore had given her and Good Luck Bear. He handed them to her and she happily hugged Tender heart bear close to her as he went and got her Little Mermaid DVD out and he began to put it in. Once Dakota was settled, Nick slipped into the bathroom to change into his pajamas, then he came back out and flopped down onto his bed. He was exhausted, though today had been mostly good - except for the whole Dr. Adams thing that morning. He sure hoped those results would be in tomorrow, so he'd know for sure just exactly what had happened to Ashley. He smiled over at Dakota, who flashed him a sleepy grin as she lay there next to Ashley watching The Little Mermaid, her Care Bears clutched tightly - especially Tenderheart. Nick glanced at the T.V. then, and watched The Little Mermaid as well until he too fell asleep - which wasn't too long after Dakota had. All was quiet for quite some time, as the trio slept - until finally one lone shrill scream woke them all up. Nick bolted into an upright sitting position, upon hearing the scream - seeing Dakota jump and scramble herself. It was then he realized that it was Ashley who was screaming. He immediately jumped up and hurried over to her side, and gently shook her awake.


"Ashley....Ashley, Honey, wake up. It's Nick." Ashley struggled with him for a few moments, even after she'd woken up, as it took her a minute or two to realize just who it was that was shaking her awake. Dakota sat on the foot of the bed, hugging her Care Bears tight, looking worried and frightened all at once.


"Nicky?" Ashley gasped fearfully, falling into his arms midst sobs as she realized it was indeed him who had her. Nick lifted her up and sat her in his lap, hugging her tight as he rocked her.


"Shhh...."


“Make him stop Nicky… make him stop hurting me…please.”


“Make who stop hurting you sweetie? No one’s hurting you…”


“D-Doctor A-adams…” She answered, trying to get her words out. Nick gently placed his hands to her cheeks and made her look him in the eyes.


“What’s he doing to you honey? I can’t stop him unless I know what it is he’s doing.”


“I cant t-tell you…h-he made me s-swear on my mother and fathers g-g-rave…”


“Honey nothing is going to happen to your mother and father’s grave I promise. They’re not going to mind if you break that promise. They want you to be safe as do I.” Ashley didn’t reply she only sat there sobbing uncontrollably and he placed soft kisses on her forehead as he kept his hands placed gently to her cheeks.


“It’s okay honey…calm down. I’m here…I’m right here.” He told her. She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face into his shoulder where she continued to cry and he rocked her in his arms like he would do to Dakota. When he had her calmed down he pulled back a bit and he once again looked into her eyes. He didn’t say a word he only sat there gazing into her eyes with so much concern in his own. She sniffled softly.


“Talk to me baby…what’s going on?”


“He…he…raped me…” Ashley confessed and she began to cry all over again. “H-h-e raped me…and tried to drug me up so I wouldn’t remember but I struggled and wouldn’t let him and he ended up spilling it all over the bed. He got angry with me and beat me up and then r-r-aped me. Then he cleaned me up when he was done and made me get dressed and pretend it never happened.” Nick sat there looking at her in shock and bewilderment for a moment. He never expected her to actually tell him.


“Is that all?” He asked when he was able to find his voice to speak.


“No…” Ashley whimpered and he brushed her hair from her face tucking it behind her ear as he looked her in the eyes waiting for her to go on. “He and the guy who nearly killed me have been best friends for years now…he was one of the guys who came over a lot and did horrible things to me… he…he and the guy drugged me up and made porn videos of me…”


“Oh god…” Nick replied softly. “Who is this guy Ashley? Who is it that put you in this hospital?”


“I can’t tell you…”


“Yes you can. Baby you can tell me and I will have that guy’s ass arrested so fast he won’t even have time to blink.”


“No…I-I can’t…” Nick sighed heavily and against his better judgment he let it go. He knows she will tell him when she’s ready he knows it just takes time with her but how much more time does he have? He gently wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her close and she buried her face in his shoulder allowing him to slowly rock her in his arms. He held her close for a long while, then when he had her calmed down he looked over at Dakota who still sat at the foot of her bed holding her care bears.


“Are you okay baby?” Dakota nodded but Nick can tell that she is scared.


“Come here sweetie…” he told her gently and she crawled over to him and he pulled her into his lap as well. She too wrapped her arms around him and he kissed the top of her head.


“Everything’s going to be okay….she only had a nightmare Kota that’s all.” he reassured her and Dakota relaxed in his embrace. After a few moments he scooted back with them and placed Ashley beside him. She lay back against the pillows and Dakota crawled back into her spot between them. He crawled under the covers too and laid on his side facing them and he extended his arm out so it was wrapped around the both of them. He placed his finger to Ashley’s cheek and gently caressed it.


“Soon as we wake up tomorrow I will tell Riley sweetie okay? And Doctor Johnson took your sheets into a DNA person to get the proof. Soon as we have the proof we can throw Doctor Adams in jail and he won’t be able to lay another hand on you ever again. I Promise.”


“Daddy…” Dakota spoke softly.


“Yeah baby?”


“Will you sing to me?”


“Mm hmm,” he replied and he began to sing their song: Anywhere For You. By the time she was finished she had fallen back to sleep. He tucked her hair behind her ear and leaned down and placed soft kisses on her forehead as he watched her sleep. He watched her for a couple of minutes, than he looked at Ashley who lay there looking at him as she is afraid to go back to sleep. Afraid that the horrible images will come back to haunt her. He suddenly laid back against the pillows and he gently pulled Dakota so that she lay on top of his chest before looking back at Ashley.


“Scoot closer honey…” he told her gently. She did as he said and scooted closer before resting her head against his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her before covering the three of them up again and he rested his forehead against hers. She wrapped her arm around Dakota and kissed her cheek.


“I’m sorry I woke you two up…I’m sorry I frightened her,” she apologized softly.


“Not your fault baby…not your fault at all. It’s okay…” he reassured her. She snuggled close to him and closed her eyes but she didn’t fall asleep at all. She feels safe with him. She knows he means what he said but she can’t help but be a little scared. She’s said too much…way too much.


~*~*~*~*~


Kevin entered Ashley's old room, carrying a sleeping Elenore. She'd fallen asleep in his arms shortly after her and Dakota had finished cleaning up their block towers. He gently laid her down upon the bed - which had on brand new sheets and a new bedspread, all of which he'd gotten her that afternoon. All of which had Ninja Turtles on them - not exactly something you'd expect a little, fragile girl to have - though, she wasn't fragile while fighting with Josh. Once he had her set down on the bed, he searched until he found a pair of footie-pajamas, that had Care Bears on them, for her. He gently started to take her shirt off, only to have her wake up on him.


"NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!" Elenore shrieked, immediately beginning to struggle.


"Ellie, it's okay, it's me, Kevin," Kevin tried to assure the screaming and kicking little girl.


"NO!!! NO!!! NOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!" Elenore continued to scream, quickly managing to roll away from him and off the bed, onto the floor - where she immediately crawled under the bed to hide. Though, her screaming kept on and on - becoming quite loud and shrill. Kevin frowned some, highly concerned, as he knelt down to look under the bed.


"Elenore, it's okay, Sweetie. I promise." Elenore just kept on screaming, her hands over her ears and her eyes squished shut tightly. She screamed for so long and so loud, that finally Brian and Riley came to see just what the heck was going on.


“Kev man what’s going on?” Brian asked worriedly when they had come running into the room.


“I was just trying to change her into her pajamas since she fell asleep in my arms and she woke up an panicked on me!” Kevin answered frantically, not quite sure of what to do. Riley crouched down then, and peered under the bed.


"Elenore, it's okay, Honey. No one here is going to hurt you, you can come out now." She said this, as she reached under the bed and gently pulled Elenore's one hand from her one ear.


"Sweetie, c'mon. It's just Kevin, Brian, and I here. No bad people, I promise."


"Promise?" Elenore checked worriedly. She was scared they were going to hurt her like her mommy and daddy had.


"Cross my heart," Riley told her. "C'mon." After a bit more coaxing, Riley was finally able to get Elenore to come out from under the bed - still shirtless, as Kevin had managed to get her shirt off her before she freaked. "Come here, Sweetie," Riley said, patting her lap as she sat on the floor. Elenore cautiously and worriedly went and sat on Riley's lap, her body tense as she waited for someone to strike. Riley gently began to rub the little girl's back in soft soothing circles. "Shh....Now, what's wrong, Ellie? Hmm? Are Kevin's eyebrows really that scary?" Elenore sniffled softly, a death grip upon Riley as she slowly began to calm down some.


"I's don'ts wanna be in trouble," she whimpered. "I's in trouble if I's gots no shirt on....." Kevin's eyes looked pained upon hearing that - how in the world could someone hurt such a sweet child? Or any child for that matter. What was wrong with this world? Brian placed a hand on his cousin's shoulder in comfort, having had noticed the sadness in his eyes. He too felt horrible that the little girl had been hut so badly - but it seemed to affect Kevin the most deeply. Though Elenore had only been in the Orphanage a day, he could really see Kevin looking into adoption, once she warmed up to him and others a bit more.


"You're not in any trouble," Riley promised. "Nobody here will hurt you, and I'm sure if they tried too, that Kevin would scare them away."


"Wids his eyebrows?" Elenore asked curiously, cocking her head to the side a little. Riley laughed.


"Yes, with his scary caterpillar eyebrows." Brian chuckled softly, as Kevin faked a pout.


"My eyebrows aren't that bad!" Kevin insisted. Riley kept rubbing the little girl's back, feeling the little one's tension ease some.


"Now, why don't we get you into your jammies, and then maybe these two fellows will sing to you." Elenore looked up hopefully.


"Really? They're nots mad ats me?"


"Of course not!" Brian gasped playfully. "Who could ever be mad at such a cute little girl?"


"Mommy an' Daddy...." Elenore replied quietly, looking down at her lap once more. "I's bad alls the times, an' needs to be punished for its lots......I's don'ts means to be bad alls the times....."


"You're not bad, Ellie," Brian told her, as Kevin was too busy trying to control his emotions, despite his playful pout. He crouched down to look the little girl in the eyes.


"You may be naughty sometimes, but you're not a bad girl. You're a very sweet, loving, caring little girl whose worked her way into our hearts rather quickly. Not everybody can win over Kevin here - he picks his friends very carefully. And he definitely doesn't buy toys for someone he doesn't like." Elenore looked up at Kevin hopefully, her eyes still a little worried looking. She wanted to fully trust him more than anything, as he'd been her protector for so long without actually being there. And now that he was there, she wanted him to be it always - but she was still terrified he was either going to leave her behind and/or hurt her like everyone else always had. Kevin crouched down smiling.


"I don't sing for just anyone either - not privately, anyway. Now, how's about we get you changed and into bed, so Brian and I can sing you a song. Your choice; anyone you'd like, Ellie.” Elenore smiled softly, and reached up to hug him, allowing him to pull her into his strong, caring arms.


"Kay...." Kevin smiled more, and kissed her head. He then lifted her up and quickly changed her into her Care Bear footie-pajamas.


"You're gonna make a great mom some day," Brian told Riley as he helped her up off the floor, while Kevin changed Elenore. Riley shrugged.


"You know I love kids. This is something I do quite a bit, actually. Most kids are scared when they first come here - or they have monsters hiding under their beds or whatever."


"Yeah, but still," Brian said, squeezing her hand gently, though he was still jealous and angry about her husband - the husband he'd deemed evil and untrustworthy long ago.


"Alright, we're ready," Kevin stated then, as he sat down on the bed with Elenore - not that he'd much of a choice, as she'd a death grip on him once more. Brian smiled and took a seat next to them, making Riley sit on the bed as well.


"What song, Sweetie?"


"Never Breaks Yer Hearts," Elenore whispered. "An' Shapes of My Hearts when Nicky's here...." Kevin chuckled.


"Ah, a Nicky fan for that song. We better remember to tell him that - he loves singing his part for little girls. He's a lot of little wives your age here." Elenore smiled some, as she snuggled into Kevin. Brian and Kevin made eye contact, quickly deciding Kevin would sing A.J.'s parts.


"From the first day, that I saw your smiling face, Honey I knew that we would be together forever....."


"Oooh, when I asked you out, You said no, But I found out, Darlin' that you'd been hurt, you'd thought that you'd never love again....But I deserve a try Honey, just once. Give me a chance and I'll prove this all wrong...." Brian sang sweetly, looking into the little girls eyes. When they reached the chorus, Elenore glanced up at Kevin who looked back down at her, and into her eyes as he sang the chorus, meaning it with all of his heart.


"I'll never break your heart. I'll never make you cry. I'd rather die, than live without you. I'll give you all of me, Honey that's no lie...."

Chapter Seventeen:


The next day Nick woke up bright and early from the movement of someone crawling from his embrace. He opened his eyes to find his little early bird trying to sneak away like she always does. Eyes half opened he grinned and delicately pulled her back so she lay enveloped in his strong loving arms. He doesn’t want her to wander off too far. The last time she woke up and went downstairs without him he almost lost her. He’s not letting that happen again. Ever. She looked up at him and smiled.


“Morning daddy!” she chirped happily and she turned in his arms so she lay on her stomach and she kissed his cheek before lying her head on top of his chest comfortably. He wrapped his arms around her protectively.


“Where do you think you’re going baby…hmm? Stay here with daddy a little while longer...”


“Buts Daddy I wanna go see if Elenore is awake.”


“You will have the entire day to play with Elenore baby girl I promise. Can you really blame your daddy for wanting you all to himself this morning? Hmm?” He asked her, and he tickled her in the sides making her squirm about in his arms and giggle. When her giggles were getting too loud he stopped before they woke Ashley who still lay asleep beside him. It had taken him forever to finally get her to go back to sleep last night. She was so terrified. He wants her to sleep for as long as she can this morning. He does not want a grumpy 17-year-old on his hands. That would be awful. He knows exactly how she is when she’s pissed off. If he can go through the rest of his life without having to experience that again he’d be one happy man.


~*~*~*~*~


“So…Chase is coming home today?” Brian questioned Riley as they sat in the lobby drinking coffee from starbucks. She had stopped there on her way into work and got him some as well.


“He already is home,” Riley answered happily. “He came in and crawled in bed with me this morning and we laid together and talked until it was time for me to get up and get ready for work.”


“How nice,” Brian replied. “How’s his boss doing? Did his trip go well?”


“He said that it went really great. His boss was very pleased with what they accomplished.” Brian snorted.


“Yeah I bet she was.” Riley raised her eyebrow at him.


“They went there for a meeting to get approval about the hotel he designed. It turned out to be a great success.”


“Cool,” Brian replied indifferently. Suddenly Kevin came out of the elevator carrying Elenore in his arms - both of them bathed and dressed. Brian was relieved.


“Hey look! Kevin and little Ellie are awake!” He announced, and he took hold of Riley’s hand and pulled her over to them. Riley looked at Brian slightly confused as to why he'd purposely changed the subject so fast, but she shrugged it off and followed him over to Kevin and Elenore.


"I'm guessing you two are okay now?" Riley commented, as she noticed Elenore's damp pigtails. Kevin smiled.


"We're doing much better - took a bit of coaxing and assuring, but we're clean and dressed and ready for the day to begin."


"Well, way to go!" Brian said, talking like Donald Duck, smiling brightly. Elenore smiled as she rested her head back down on Kevin's shoulder, snuggling into him - her brand new Grumpy Care Bear clutched tightly in one hand.


"Breakfast ready?" Kevin asked, not used to spending the night and waking up there. Riley nodded.


"Yeah, breakfast is ready - there's some kids in there eating already."


"Well, let's go then," Kevin smiled down at Elenore. "We need some good sugary food." Brian watched as his cousin passed them with the little girl for a moment - shocked.


"Kevin? Sugary food? Wow - where's a camera when you need one?" Riley laughed and slapped his arm playfully, as they both followed Kevin - deciding they'd best check on the kids in there - and find a camera to capture Kevin eating a sugary breakfast.


~*~*~*~*~


“Daddy what are we doing today?” Dakota asked curiously as they still lay in bed together - Dakota lying on top of his chest and snuggling close to him and Ashley remained asleep lying next to him.


“I don’t know baby. Most likely just hanging around here. Daddy has to work.” Nick answered, thinking about the Doctor Adams incident. He knows that is going to be his top priority today. The minute Ashley wakes up and he can go downstairs and start the day he will be having a talk with Riley.


“Can you, me, and Ashee go outside today?” Dakota asked eagerly. “Can we have a picnic outside? Please daddy?”


“Maybe honey… it depends on how the day goes okay? Maybe if you’re a good girl all morning we will play outside and eat lunch out there.” Dakota smiled happily.


“I be good girl daddy. Promise.” Nick grinned proudly at his pride n’ joy in his arms, than he suddenly felt Ashley’s arm slide around his waist and her snuggle closer. He looked down at her to find her eyes open and she’s looking up at him.


“Morning beautiful…how are you?”


“Okay…”


“Just okay?”


“I’m a little sore…”


“What hurts sweetie?” He asked seriously and he gazed down at her, highly concerned.


“Everything…and areas that shouldn’t. I’ve been aching on and off since yesterday morning after the incident…” Nick sighed heavily.


“You really should’ve just told me what happened honey…”


“I’m sorry…” Ashley replied softly. “I-I was scared…”


“Come on… why don’t we get up and go downstairs. I’ll get you some breakfast and then I need to inform Riley about your confession. Okay?”


“Kay…” she replied softly. He got up out of bed still holding Dakota. He shifted her so that she was rested on his hip and he held his hand out to Ashley. She took it and allowed him to help her up from the bed and he intertwined his fingers with hers as he began to bring her down to the lobby. Once they were down there they went into the cafeteria where they found Riley, Brian, Kevin, and Elenore all sitting at their usual table eating breakfast. Ashley also noticed Doctor Adams sitting a few tables down from them eating his own breakfast and he seems to be talking on his cell phone. Ashley immediately moved closer to Nick and she rested her head upon his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her waist and held her close to him protectively as he noticed what she was looking at. He brought her and Dakota over to their table and he sat them each into two empty chairs before going off to make their plates. Ashley immediately jumped up though not wanting him to leave her there and she followed after him. He saw her coming and allowed her to take his hand and he brought her over to the island with him. Kevin looked concerned.


“Okay… I’m getting major Daddy Backstreet vibes here… something’s troubling Nick.” As Nick stood at the island making two plates of breakfast and Ashley stood next to him he glanced over at Doctor Adams who still talked on his cell phone. He noticed he was cautiously looking around him every few minutes making sure no one was listening in on his conversation. He also notices that he just happened to pick the table in the corner of the cafeteria. Who is he talking to… and what is he talking about? Nick wondered to himself. He looked at Ashley and saw her looking over at him too with a terrified look upon her face. He took her hand and brought her in front of him so she is facing him and he slid his arms around her waist.


“Don’t even look at him. He’s not there. That table is completely empty as far as your concerned and there is no reason for you to look over there. Just block him completely out of your mind. Think of something happy… can you do that?” Ashley thought for a moment and then nodded.


“Good. Think about that happy thought and don’t let go of it.” She didn’t reply she only rested her head against his shoulder and held on tightly to him doing exactly as he had said. She doesn’t intend on letting go of her happy thought. Ever. He rested his forehead against hers as he grabbed the third plate as he still had to make Dakota’s as well and he began to put some breakfast on the plate for her knowing exactly what she likes and how she likes it. When he finished he pulled back from Ashley and handed her a plate.


“Carry that for me sweetie,” he told her gently and he took the other two plates in his hands and began to carry them back to the table and Ashley walked closely behind him. When they got to the table she sat down in her chair again and he went and sat in the other chair next to Riley as Brian sat on the other side of her. He handed Dakota her plate and then placed his own in front of him.


“What’s going on Nick?” Riley asked, highly concerned and he began to explain to her what Ashley had told him last night. He spoke very quietly so he wouldn’t be over heard and Kevin and Brian leaned in to listen as well. Little did they know… Doctor Adams had noticed them huddling together from his own table and he looked over at them suspiciously. What were they whispering about? He turned his gaze over on Ashley who sat on the right side of Dakota while Nick sat on the left. He notices that she’s watching Nick, Brian, Riley, and Kevin with so much fear in her eyes - that same look of fear in her eyes that she had when he was raping her yesterday morning. He can see how tense she is from where he is at and he can see her looking at him in the corner of her eye. She can feel his gaze on her. His presence in the room, him watching her the way he is puts a very heavy weight on her. Almost making it unbearable for her to breathe.


“What did the little bitch tell them now…” Doctor Adams wondered out loud, forgetting he was on the phone.


“Huh? What are you talking about Trevor?” the voice on the other end of the phone questioned.


“I think the little bitch has revealed more information… or something. It looks pretty suspicious right now. Riley, Brian, Nick, and Kevin are all huddled together and whispering about something and Ashley looks terrified.” Doctor Adams explained quietly, after making sure no one around him is listening. Thankfully no one had chosen to sit around him and he is completely alone in his little corner.


“Oh that’s just fucking great. I had better not have any cops tracking me down and arresting me, Trevor!”


“I don’t think she revealed who you are… she knows better then to do that. Nick probably finally talked her into telling him what I had done to her though…”


“Well that’s still not good! If they arrest you then who is going to keep an eye on her? Who is going to sneak me into that Orphanage if I should need to make another attack?”


“I don’t know…” Doctor Adams replied nervously. “I’ll think of something… but anyway, have you gotten to work on your plan with Kori yet?”


~*~*~*~*~*~


When Nick finished talking to Riley about Ashley’s nightmare and her confession Riley promised that it would be taken care of right away. As soon as the proof comes in Doctor Adams will be locked up and unable to hurt Ashley anymore. Ashley didn’t hear this promise though as she was in the middle of trying her very hardest not to have a panic attack. Nick looked at her as did Riley, Brian, and Kevin and he noticed that her face was turning very pale, she’s trembling, and she’s looking over at Doctor Adams in the corner of her eye.


“Honey I told you not to look over there,” Nick told her and he lifted Dakota up, got up from his chair and sat her down in it instead and he switched their plates before sitting in her previous chair. Now he was blocking Ashley’s view from Doctor Adams. She looked up at Nick and he turned so that he is facing her. He cupped her cheek in his hand and looked her in the eyes lovingly.


“You’re fine. Relax… remember that happy thought of yours that I asked you to hold onto? What happened?”


“He was looking over here Nicky… he knows I told you. I never should’ve told you what he did…I-I said way too much… he’s going to kill me now.”


“I’m not going to let him. Baby as soon as the proof comes in he’s going straight to jail.”


“But how long is that going to be? While we’re sitting here waiting around for the proof he is over there plotting his next move. I could be dead before those results come in!”


“I am not going to let you out of my sight long enough for that to happen, honey. Wherever I go you’re going too. He is not going to come anywhere near you. I promise.”


“Don’t make promises that you can’t keep…” Ashley replied bitterly, and she turned her attention on her food and began to eat it. Nick looked at her with a pained look in his eyes. What does he have to do to get her to see that he is not going to leave her like everyone else had done? He wants nothing more then for her to trust him in that. But then again… he really can’t blame her. She does have a point. He makes all these promises to her that she is safe and that he isn’t going to let anything happen to her… yet yesterday morning she was raped behind his back because he was off doing something else that was important. What if he can’t keep her safe? What if something goes wrong and he can’t stop it? He would never be able to forgive himself if he failed to keep her safe. He can’t and he won’t let that happen. He sighed heavily and then began to eat his breakfast as well but he continued to sit in the position that he is in facing her so that she can’t see the monster over in the corner of the room.


~*~*~*~*~


Meanwhile in a small suburb somewhere in New Jersey Kori Mortenson was sitting at a booth in a cozy restaurant called Blue Moon Diner. The restaurant that she’s lived and worked in for the past five years and is now the owner of. The minute Kori ran away from home she fled to New Jersey and was in desperate need of a home and job. There wasn’t very many jobs to choose from in the small town that she was in but the Blue Moon Diner looked pretty decent so she tried that out. The owner of the Diner was a kind old man named Eddie. He was such a sweet old man that Kori could definitely see him being a Grandfather to a ton of kids. She told Eddie that she had no place to stay and was in desperate need of a job and she begged him to let her stay.

He made her tell him why such a young girl such as herself was homeless and begging for a job of course, so she just explained to him that she ran away from home and begged him not to ask about the details because it was too painful to talk about. Eddie being as kind and understanding as he was didn’t force her to tell him anymore and he immediately took her in. A couple of months later when it was getting harder for her to hide it he learned the reason why she was so desperate for a job. He learned that she was just five months pregnant and that she was trying her very hardest to make enough money to be able to raise her child. She lived and worked with him for three months and then suddenly he had a heart attack and died leaving the restaurant completely in Kori’s hands. She was so sure one of his family members would take over or something but they insisted that she have it. They told her Eddie would’ve wanted her to run it. He was very fond of Kori and talked about her to them all the time as if she were one of his granddaughters. One month later it became the permanente home of her and her newborn son Spencer…who looks exactly like his father Scott Jackson. His so-called father who refused to run away with Kori when learning that he was going to be a father. He was 14 years old and nowhere near ready to be a father. He suggested to Kori that she should get an abortion. This pissed Kori off beyond belief and she broke up with him and fled all alone.


So there Kori was sitting in the booth of her Diner drinking a cup of coffee and enjoying the bit of peace that she has while Spencer - now five years old, was upstairs in his room asleep. It’s only an hour until her best friend she met just a little bit after moving into the diner named Isabel comes in and they could open the restaurant together. As Kori sat there she thought about her past. About her parents and her younger sister by one year… she sat and wondered how they were all doing and if they still thought about her. If they were still looking for her. She misses them terribly. She would give anything to see all three of them again but she knows she can’t go back there. The minute she did she would be met by some very angry people and they would murder her so fast she wouldn’t even have time to blink. She is just thankful her parents and sister didn’t have to go through with it. She never told them about the wrong choices she had made. They were safe and that’s all that mattered. She sat there in deep thought for an entire hour, until suddenly Spencer came padding down the stairs half asleep.


“Momma I’m hungry….” he announced, forcing Kori out of her thoughts. She looked over at him and smiled.


“Morning Spence!“ she greeted him with a smile and she set her coffee down and stood up.


“Captain Crunch sound good?“ She asked him.


“Uh-huh.“


“Okay, crawl into the booth here and I will get you some.“ She told him. He did as she said and crawled into the booth, opposite side from where she was sitting and she went to make him a bowl of cereal. As she was in the middle of doing that she heard the door open and then Isabel’s voice.



“Kori I am here! Are you?”


“Yeah I’m in here making Spence some cereal. I will be right out!” she called after her and then she turned her attention back on the bowl she was pouring the cereal into. When she finished she poured the milk in it, got out a spoon and walked out just on time to see Spencer climbing down from the booth and running over to Isabel. He flung himself into her arms and hugged her tight.


“Hey little dude, how’s my favorite five year old doing today?” she asked him.


“Great!” he answered cheerfully.


“That’s good.”


“Nice to see you too, Libby.” Kori told her friend, calling her by her nickname. Isabel looked at Kori raising her eyebrow.


“And who are you?” She teased.


“Hey!” Kori whined and she looked at Isabel pretending to pout. Isabel just laughed and walked over to her and hugged her.


“I’m just messing with you honey.”


“You better just be messing with me or you know I can always fire your ass,” Kori threatened playfully as she hugged her back. When she pulled away she walked away and began to go about her daily routine in opening up the Diner. Isabel went and put Spencer back in his place in the booth and she went to help Kori out.


“But Kor, if you fired me who would you get to help you open up and run the Diner. Hmm?”


“Wiley or Chris would be willing to help. They’ve only told me about a billion times since Eddie passed away.” Kori answered, smiling sweetly at her friend and Isabel rolled her eyes but smiled back.


~*~*~*~*~


Later on that morning Nick took Ashley and Dakota upstairs to their bedroom so that they could take turns showering and getting dressed. Ashley insisted that she needed one because she felt dirty and uncomfortable. So after Nick took his shower and after giving Dakota a quick bath he helped Ashley set up her own warm bubble bath and then left her in there to bathe in peace. He left the door open just a crack and told her to call for him if she should need him.


“Daddy…where is my charm bracelet?” Dakota asked worriedly and Nick had just finished helping her get dressed. She’s wearing blue jeans, a My Chemical Romance camouflage t-shirt, and green converse shoes and she is now sitting in the middle of their bed going through her jewelry box. Nick looked over at his daughter as he was in the middle of putting all of her clothes and belongings back where they belong. He still never unpacked her things from when she was almost adopted by someone else. He can see that she is getting very upset and worried. “I didn’ts mean to lose it daddy, I swears I didn’ts!” she insisted and she looked up at him for the first time as a tear rolled down her cheek. She doesn’t want her daddy to be disappointed in her. He had spent so much money on that bracelet and it was very rare too. She promised him she would take very good care of it. It a bout broke Nick’s heart just looking at her. He knows the bracelet is very special to her. More special then any other piece of jewelry she owns.


“I have it baby don’t worry it’s safe,” He reassured her and he went to the nightstand and opened up the top drawer. He looked inside it and pulled out the special charm bracelet that he bought for her in Paris and he went and sat on the bed next to her. He took her hand gently into his and he put the bracelet back on her. She looked at it feeling so relieved for a moment, than she crawled into his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck and she buried her face in his neck as she hugged him tight. He wrapped his arms around her in return and hugged her back and he kissed her forehead.


“I’s sorry daddy… I didn’ts mean it. I don’ts hate you and I’s sorry I threw the bracelet ats you.”


“It’s okay angel I know…you were angry with me and had every right to be. Daddy was being stupid.” Dakota looked up at him, tear tracks staining her cheeks. He smiled at her and wiped them away and he rested his forehead against hers.


“I love you daddy…”


“I love you too angel. You’re my pride n’ joy and I’m never going to let you go.” She rested her head against his shoulder and snuggled against him comfortably and he rocked her gently in his arms. When Ashley had finished scrubbing herself so hard that her skin couldn’t possibly take it anymore she got out of the tub after draining it and she got dressed into a black t-fer Hawthorne Heights t-shirt. It’s long sleeved and the sleeves are green and match the green letters on her shirt. She also put on some blue jeans and her black converse shoes. She brushed her hair but decided to leave it down. Nick who had heard the water to the tub draining went and stood outside the door.


“Ashley? Is it okay for me to come in?”


“Yeah…” Ashley answered softly and she continued to stare hopelessly into the mirror. Nick pushed the door open and he walked in to see her standing there looking depressed. He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms gently around her waist. She stiffened up a little bit at his touch but eventually relaxed herself in his gentle arms. He rested his chin against his shoulder and looked at her through the mirror.


“Forget it sweetie. No matter how many times you look at yourself in the mirror you’re always going to be beautiful.”


“You must be seeing a different girl in that mirror then…because I’m not beautiful. I’m worthless, ugly, and dirty and I killed my parents.”


“The only people I see in that mirror honey is you and me and you’re VERY beautiful. I can’t take my eyes off of you.” He told her and he turned her around gently to face him.


“That’s because it’s your job not to take your eyes off of me.”


“Even if this wasn’t my job and we met under different circumstances I still would think you’re beautiful and I would still be completely in love with you.” He told her, looking her in the eyes seriously and Ashley suddenly looked taken aback. She wasn’t expecting to hear that last part. He then placed his finger to her cheek and gently rubbed it.


“And you’re the cleanest girl in this Orphanage right now. You smell so good…did you use that Ocean Breeze body spray that I bought you yesterday? Hmm?” He asked her as buried his face in her neck and sniffed it.


“Yeah…” Ashley answered softly. He looked into her eyes again and he could still see the pain in them even though it’s obvious he made her feel somewhat better.


“There isn’t anyway possible that you could’ve killed your parents honey. So just get that right out of your head you hear me?” He asked her.


“Yes I did…” she insisted and he noticed the tears threatening to fall but she was doing everything she could to hold them back.


“No you didn’t. How could you have possibly killed your parents Ashley? They were murdered by a couple of thugs. Not you, you had nothing to do with it.”


“Yes I did I -”


“-No you didn’t! You were twelve years old Ashley and you were hiding upstairs in your room. I don’t know HOW you could believe you did it but you didn’t! It’s all in your head and he put it there!”


“THEY wouldn’t have even been home if it wasn’t for me!” Ashley shouted at him suddenly and she couldn’t take it anymore. She began to cry.


“What are you talking about?”


“IF I WASN’T SICK THAT DAY AND NEEDED TO STAY HOME FROM SCHOOL THEY WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN KILLED! THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN AWAY FROM THE HOUSE, THEY WOULD’VE BEEN DRIVING ME TO SCHOOL WHEN THOSE THUGS BROKE IN AND THEY…THEY WOULDN’T BE GONE!” Ashley continued to shout at him, needing so badly to be heard. She’s been keeping all of that bottled up inside for so long and not telling a single soul - just her notebooks. If someone picked up her notebooks from the past five years and just read them they would be shocked. They would be shocked. VERY shocked at what they’d find.


“It’s ALL my fault! If I wasn’t sick that day I would still have my mom and dad!” She added, and she dropped to her knees sobbing uncontrollably. Nick sat down in front of her and he gently pulled her into a hug where he rocked her gently in his arms. She wrapped her arms tightly around him. After a long while he pulled back a bit and gently grabbed her arms and he looked her seriously in the eyes.


“Your parents death was NOT your fault honey. It was just a very bad coincidence that’s all. There is no way you could’ve known what was going to happen. There is no way you could’ve controlled being sick. That happens baby, every body gets sick and you can’t control when. It just happens. It wasn’t your fault. You didn’t kill your parents. A few thugs broke in and murdered them. NOT you.”


“Sometimes I wish they shot me instead…sometimes I wish it were me in their place instead so that they could live and I wouldn’t have to suffer all these years… It isn’t fair…”


“I know it’s not fair, I know. If I could turn it all around so that your parents lived and the three of you lived happily ever after you know I would in a heartbeat. But I can’t do that. What I can do though is give you a happy ending. I’m going to try my very hardest at least… but you don’t have to suffer it alone anymore. I’m right here…and I want to end your suffering but I need your help. I need you to open up and let me in.” Nick explained, and he once again pulled her into a hug. She wrapped her arms tightly around him and buried her face in his shoulder and he pulled her carefully into his lap so he is cradling her.


“I know life is hard now, but it’s going to get better. I promise.” He told her softly in her ear. And he meant it… he is going to make it better even if he dies trying.

Chapter Eighteen:



When Nick finally had Ashley calmed down again he stood up and held out his hand for her. She took a hold of it and allowed him to help her up.


“Are you calm enough to go downstairs to the playground?” He asked her gently and she nodded. He reached out and wiped away stray tears from her cheeks, than he once again took her hand and brought her out of the bathroom. He is thankful that Dakota had already gone downstairs ahead of time and wasn’t there to hear the argument. He doesn’t like when she sees Ashley so upset. It really frightens her. He lead her downstairs to the lobby and out onto the playground where a bunch of kids are playing and Riley, Brian, and Kevin are all standing out there supervising. Elenore and Dakota are sitting in the sandbox playing in the sand and the three adults are standing next to it.


“Where have you two been?” Brian asked curiously.


“I had to wait on Ashley to finish her shower and stuff. Then she had a breakdown and I had to put her back together again.” Nick explained.


“Oh, I see.” Brian replied, looking slightly concerned but he decided not to question it. Suddenly Riley’s cell phone rang. She reached into her pocket and pulled it out and she looked at the caller ID to see that it’s Chase. She turned the phone on and put it to her ear.


“Hello?” she asked into the phone.


“Hey baby…what’s up?” Riley raised her eyebrow and suddenly worry began to build up inside her. He is NOT going to cancel out on our dinner again is he?


“Nothing really…just doing my job. You?”


“Nothing, nothing. Just getting ready for our dinner tonight.”


“Yeah?” Riley asked, relief washing over her.


“Yup. I was just wondering if…I was just wondering if - stop that!” Riley suddenly heard giggling in the background.


“Chase?” she asked curiously.


“Sorry baby. I was just wondering if you wanted tacos tonight.”


“Sure…but honey who is that giggling in the background?”


“My sister.”


“Olivia is there with you?”


“Yeah. She wanted to help me set things up…you know since she’s a girl and knows what will make you happy. I just want things to be real special for you tonight baby.”


“Where are the two of you at?” Riley asked suspiciously.


“The grocery store. We’re just picking out a few things.” Riley thought for a couple of minutes.


“Can I talk to Olivia? I want to say hi.”


“She ran off just now to go get a few things. I will tell her you said hi how about that?”


“….Okay.”


“But I’ve gotta go baby…I have lots to do before you come home tonight. I will see you then okay?”


“Okay.”


“Love you baby.”


“Love you too…” Riley replied, and she hung up the phone and stuffed it into her pocket. She looked at a concerned Nick, Brian, and Kevin.


“Everything okay?” Brian was the first to ask.


“Yeah everything’s great. He just wanted to know if I wanted tacos tonight. He and his sister are at the grocery store picking up a few things. She’s helping him plan our romantic evening.” Riley explained, smiling brightly.


“His sister huh?” Brian asked amused, and Kevin lightly elbowed the younger man in the side telling him to control himself.


“Yeah. You met her before right? At the barbeque we had last fourth of July? Her name’s Olivia.”


“Yeah… I remember her…”


“Yeah, her and I have always gotten a long great. Tonight is really going to be special if she’s involved.” Riley replied, and it’s obvious that Riley is overly excited. He just hopes that excuse for husband of hers doesn’t do anything to ruin it for her or he will be forced to beat him till he’s black and blue all over. Suddenly a big van to the sporting goods store in the mall pulled up. Brian grinned as he was expecting it to come. Its right on time too. Everyone sort of glanced over curiously when they saw the big truck pull up, and Brian eagerly run over to it.


"What's my crazy cousin up to now?" Kevin wondered aloud. They all watched as they saw Brian sign a clip board, and suddenly he was waving them over.


"Guys! C'mere! I got the kids a surprise!" At the word surprise, suddenly all the kids outside went running over to see just what it was he'd got them - except for Elenore and Dakota. Dakota was waiting on her friend, who looked unsure about the surprise and had suddenly paused in her digging. Riley went over first, followed by Nick, and Ashley - Kevin had stayed with the girls, as he didn't want Elenore to freak out any, if he could help it.


"Brian, what is all of this?" Riley asked, as she managed to get to him through the crowd of anxious children.


"Who here needs a baseball glove?" Brian asked, and immediately all hands went up. He chuckled. "Well, you're all getting one!" The kids looked shocked for a moment, then let out excited cheers. The man delivering the merchandise smiled as he heard the kids response to the unexpected news. He climbed up into the back of the truck and began handing mitts down to Brian. "Alright - everyone form a line and when you come up I’ll give you a mitt and a ball," Brian called out. "C'mon! Hurry it up!" The children immediately got into line as quickly as they could - Nick stopping a few from fighting over their spot, as Ashley clung to his side. Brian - with the help of Riley - began to hand out a mitt and ball to each child there. Once they all had their new mitts and balls, he then announced they'd better line-up again if they wanted jerseys - to which they all once more let out excited shrieks. He chuckled, and continued handing the stuff out ,as the truck driver passed them to him. Once that was all done and over with, he announced he'd gotten them even more sports equipment, but they'd all have to share the rest. Riley was shocked.


“When? How?” Brian smiled mischievously.


"When we went shopping yesterday - what did you think I was doing in the store for so long? I mean, I love sports - but why would I check out every item for myself?" Riley shook her head. The man was absolutely unbelievable at times - especially at times like now. His and the Boys generosity never ceased to amaze her. They all seemed to enjoy making the kids in the Orphanage happy. With the help of the older kids, Riley, Brian, Nick, and even Ashley all managed to carry the new sports equipment to the playground where they had a shed for it all to be stored - though, the shed was pretty much empty. As everyone set the boxes down to explore the items in each one, Brian made his way over to the two still sitting in the sandbox - one excited, the other unsure.


"Hey girls," Brian grinned. "I got you something." With that, he handed them each a baseball glove in their size, as well as two brightly colored baseballs. He was glad he'd bought enough for everyone - especially when he saw the look on Elenore's face, upon realizing they were hers to keep. "And here are your jerseys." He smiled, handing each little girl a brand new baseball jersey. Kevin shook his head at his cousin.


"Only you would think of sports, Bri."


"Well, somebody has too," Brian winked, before running back over to Riley and the kids, after kissing the girls' heads affectionately. Elenore looked up shocked - she'd never been kissed before in her life! Dakota noticed the look on her friend's face and cocked her head to the side.


"What wrong Ellie?" Kevin glanced down, hearing Dakota's question and saw the look on Elenore's little face. He smiled as he crouched down next to them, having an idea.


"Quite a surprise Brian gave you, eh?" Elenore looked up at him, shock still clearly written on her face. She couldn't believe it! Her first affectionate kiss had come from Brian! The Brian Littrell! Her most favorite Backstreet Boy! Kevin chuckled.


"Brian is very affectionate Ellie. He loves to hug people and kiss their heads if he feels the need too. Sometimes he does so without even thinking about it, because he enjoys showing people he cares." Dakota looked a little confused.


"Its only Uncle Brian. He kiss me lots. What’s wrong?" Kevin looked at Dakota then, smiling warmly.


"Nothing, Honey. Ellie's just never gotten a kiss from anyone before, so she's a little surprised, is all." Dakota frowned and eyed her friend.


"Nobody ever give you kisses? Nots even yer Mommy or Daddy?" Elenore shook her head, looking down as her shock and happy moment wore off. She didn't understand why mommy and daddy never hugged or kissed her like all the other parents did to their kids. Why was she so different? Why was she always left out of the warm affection? Kevin reached over and very gently rubbed Elenore's back, sensing her change of moods. Dakota thought a moment, before flinging herself at her friend and hugging her very tightly - though careful not to hurt her.


"I'll hug you Ellie! And so will Uncle Kevin, Uncle Brian, Uncle A.J., Uncle Howie, and Riley, and Ashee, And Daddy!" She kissed Elenore's cheek affectionately. "I love you! And I'll take care of you! Yer my bestest friend ever!" Elenore started to cry at that, no one had ever taken the time to care about her before. She still couldn't believe that her most favorite music group actually seemed to care - and want to hug and kiss her. And her new friend - she was actually gonna be someone's bestest friend ever! How odd and confusing and exciting was that? No one had ever wanted her before - she wanted to believe them, but it was still so hard to believe that people actually cared. They still scared her some, as this was all new to her, but it felt good - until somebody mentioned her mommy and daddy - then she was homesick, and angry and upset all at once. They'd been mean to her, but she still couldn't help but love them. They were her mommy and daddy after all - and weren't kids like her supposed to love them? Dakota hugged Elenore a bit tighter, looking worried as she'd made her friend cry. Kevin rubbed Elenore's back still, as he maneuvered to sit completely in the sandbox with them.


"Shh....It's okay Ellie." He gently scooped the little one up and into his lap, bringing Dakota into his lap as well. "She's okay, Kota. She's just never had somebody to love her before. She's happy you love her, trust me on this, okay?" Dakota nodded, as she just clung tighter, wanting to hug all the hurt away.


“Don'ts cry Ellie. Uncle Kevy can protects you, and so can Uncle Brian and Daddy and everybody else! And I'ma nots let anybody hurteds you! If they hurteds you, I'ma hurteds them back." Kevin smiled as he hugged both girl close.


"That's sweet of you, Kota - but I think it's best if you inform your Daddy or Riley or Uncle Brian or me if somebody hurts you or Ellie, okay?"


"Kay," Dakota replied, plopping down on Kevin's leg to sit - she'd been standing still. Elenore hugged Dakota back just as tight, if not tighter, as she leaned into Kevin as well. She was still crying some, but not as bad as she'd been a few moments ago. All she wanted was to be safe and happy - and right now she felt safe, though she didn't know how long that would last. As for happy, she was happy, but wary of being completely happy. Kevin rocked them both, as he sang to them quietly.


"I will love you more than that. I won't say the words, then take them back....."

~*~*~*~*~


Meanwhile in New Jersey Kori was behind the counter at Blue Moon Diner taking people’s orders when suddenly the phone rang. Isabel hurried over to it and picked it up.


“Thank-you for calling Blue Moon Diner how can I help you?” she spoke dutifully into the phone. She was quiet for a moment, than she looked at Kori.


“Kori its some guy named Scott Jackson. He’s asking for you.” Kori suddenly paused at hearing that name. She looked over at Isabel with a raised eyebrow.


“Do you want me to tell him your busy and give him a better time to call back?” Kori looked around the Diner for Spencer. When she sat that he was nowhere to be seen and was probably upstairs in his room playing with his toys she looked at Isabel.


“Ask him if he is ready to be the father to his son yet.” Was all Isabel said and she kept her attention on putting her customer’s orders into her little computer screen. She noticed Isabel looking at her in complete shock for a moment in the corner of her eye. Kori never told her about Spencer’s father…or even anything about her past for that matter. Isabel delivered Kori’s message to him though and was silent again as he answered, than she looked at Kori.


“He says that what he has to say to you is very important. So can you please come to the phone?”


“I am busy. The only important thing in my life now is our son. My life is all about him and neither him or I can afford me getting involved in my childhood memories. That is why I ran away. To put it all behind me.” Isabel once again delivered her message and Kori continued to look at her waiting for what he had to say next. When he replied Isabel looked back at Kori.


“He says its about your sister and it’s a matter of life and death. You turned away from everything that meant so much to you once upon a time… but do you really have the heart to turn away from your little sister? Who loved you? And looked up to you?” Kori looked at Isabel, her face now pale. Hearing the words a matter of life and death and your sister in the same sentence nearly knocked the wind out of her. What is wrong with Ashley? She then went over to the phone and she took it from Isabel. Isabel went to take Kori’s place in her job but she listened carefully to her friend. She may not know what this is all about but she’s worried about her.


“Hey Scott… hold on a second while I take the phone upstairs okay?”


“Okay,” Scott replied, and she put the phone on the counter and looked at Isabel.


“Libby hang the phone up when I tell you to okay?”


“Kay,” Isabel replied and Kori went upstairs. She looked in on Spencer and saw that he was happily playing with his toys so she went across the hall to her own room. She went in there and picked up the cordless phone and she turned it on.


“Lib are you there?” she spoke into the phone.


“Yeah.”


“Hang up please,” Kori answered and she heard a click.


“Scott?”


“Yeah I’m here.”


“What’s going on? What’s wrong with Ashley?”


“They’ve got her Kor…they’ve got Ashley and have had her for the past five years. They killed your parents and she ran away to escape being placed in any Orphanage or Foster home. Sean tricked Ashley into moving in with him. They’ve been doing all kinds of horrible things to her!”


“They what?? They killed my parents?” Kori asked in a panic and tears welled up in her eyes.


“Yeah…five years ago…” Scott answered quietly, feeling very sorry for Kori. He had always loved her…and deep down inside part of him does want to be a father but he’s terrified of the thought.


“Why?!”


“They were in the wrong place at the wrong time Kor.. They didn’t want your parents at all. They were looking for the stuff you stole from him. Ashley hid upstairs and they never even knew she was there so she’s the only one who lived. When they realized this they made a plan to keep an eye on her. Sean tricked her into moving in with him and he’s been torturing her.”


“How do you know this? And why are you just telling me this now?”


“I just now found out about it. Turn on your laptop Kor… check out Sean’s website. You aren’t going to like what you see…” Kori got up from her bed, eyes full of tears and she went over to her computer desk and sat down at her lap top that was already turned on and ready to use. Just as she did a concerned Isabel walked in and she went over and looked over Kori’s shoulder. She had been listening on the phone downstairs. She heard the entire thing. Kori opened up her web browser and she typed in Sean’s website. When she did she saw on the main page a video and it also says a message: Kori if you’re out there reading this somewhere… pay attention very carefully. Yes we have your sister and we plan on killing her if you don’t come to me right away. If you’re not here by Saturday evening at 10:00 - no later than that then we will kill her. More tears escaped Kori’s eyes as she clicked on the video. When she did she saw her baby sister naked on a bed being brutally beaten and raped by Doctor Adams - better known to her as Trevor.


“Oh god…” Kori said, and she broke down into sobs. Isabel wrapped her arms around her and she turned away from the computer burying her face into Isabel’s shoulder.


“Libby turn it off please…” Isabel did as she was told and she hugged her tightly just letting her cry. When she had her somewhat calmed down a little while later she pulled back and looked into Kori’s eyes.


“What is going on Kor? I think it’s time I know the whole reason why you ran away from home. Who is this guy? What do you have that he wants?” She asked. “Honey I am scared for you…” and Kori began to explain to Isabel the entire story.