A.N.: Well, here's a story I actually had to transfer to disk from my laptop. And have no fear, I shall update "If A Monster Comes In Our Room" soon as Microsoft Word starts agreeing with Internet screens. I promise. I - like many of you - just hope it's sooner rather than later. Disclaimer: Only own story idea & myself. Thank-you. Enjoy!

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Nickolas (Nick) Gene Carter: Thirteen-years-old & is the youngest member of the Backstreet Boys. Has six younger siblings & one older half-sibling. Tries his best to keep his siblings out of trouble, but it's a hard job & he's hardly ever home because of touring. Knows B.J. & Leslie like to pick on the younger three. Is afraid of Gremlins. Blond hair with dark roots, blue eyes. Skinny & not as dorky looking as before. Favourite Backstreet Boy: Brian

Bobbi Jean (BJ) Carter: Eleven-years-old & is the oldest girl in the main Carter Clan. Looks up to Nick, as he his her big brother after all. Tends to pick on her younger siblings - except Leslie, they got along perfectly well. Blond hair, brown eyes. Skinny & wants to be an actress some day. Favourite Backstreet Boy: A.J.

Leslie Ann Carter: Seven-years-old & adores Nick more than he knows. Likes to pick on her younger siblings, with the help of B.J. Is jealous of the younger ones, as she figures they get more attention than her. Brown hair, blue eyes. Kind of chubby, but cute. Favourite Backstreet Boy: Brian

Lenore Angeline Carter: Six-years-old & defends her two younger siblings as best she can. Is picked on by Leslie and B.J. more than anyone. Thinks she loves Nick more than anybody else, as he's her most favourite person in the world. Is afraid of the dark. Brown hair, hazel eyes. Skinny & has freckles across the bridge of her nose. Favourite Backstreet Boy: Brian

Angel Barbara Charisma Carter: Five-years-old & is older than her twin, Aaron, by one minute. Is Nick's shadow when he's home from touring, as she's always afraid he's going to leave & never come back - ever. Is picked on by Leslie & B.J. as well. Is also Nick's spy, so that he'll be kept up to date on what B.J. and Leslie are up to while he's away. Brown hair, brown eyes. Skinny & wants to be a model some day. Favourite Backstreet Boy: Kevin

Aaron Charles Carter: Five-years-old & is Angel's twin. Gets picked on often, as he's the only boy in the house when Nick's not there. Looks up to Nick quite a bit, as they are stuck in a household full of mostly girls. Blond hair, brown eyes. Skinny & quite the little entertainer. Favourite Backstreet Boy: Brian

A.N.: Yes, I know this is spaced out weird. It had to be written in Notepad in order for me to save it off my laptop - it's so old, it only has Notepad & WordPerfect - & only Notepad will save to disk (wish I'd known that beforehand). And yes, normally I would've transfered it to Microsoft Word upon placing it on this computer, but Microsoft Words refuses to co-operate with me & the Internet lately. Hopefully, it shall work properly again soon - rather than later. Disclaimer: Only own story idea & myself. Enjoy! Side Note: This story is loosely based on a dream I had a few years ago. Also, please R&R! Thank-you!

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"Leslie! Give that back!" Lenore cried. "It's mine!"

"La de dee, la de dum," Leslie sang ignoring her sister. "La de dee, la de dum dum..."

"NICK!" Lenore cried. "Make her give it back!"

Nick glanced up from his comic book, and eyed his little sisters warily.

"Leslie, give it back," he began. "Lenore, stop whining."

"No," Leslie stated stubbornly. "I don't have to."

"Mine!" Angel chirped, grabbing the doll from Leslie.

"Hey!" Leslie yelped. "That's mine!"

"Here Nore," Angel said, passing it to her older sister. "Yours."

"Thanks Angel," Lenore smiled.

"Traitor," Leslie muttered.

"Les, leave them alone," Nick told her. "Unless, of course, you want Dad to get mad again."

"But..."

"Leslie, don't bother," B.J. piped up. "You know who Dad loves more, so why even bother trying to get him to side with you?"

"Beej, Mom and Dad love us all the same and you know it."

"Whatever Nick," B.J. riposted. "It's not like you'd notice anything different, seeing as you're hardly ever here."

"Look, I want to enjoy my time home, and not have to hear you guys argue the whole time," Nick returned. "Now, leave the younger three alone and stop talking nosense."

"OW!" Lenore suddenly screeched. "OW!"

"It's my doll!" Leslie yelled, still yanking her sister's hair. "It's mine!"

"No it not!" Angel shouted, attacking Leslie. "It Nore's!"

"Hey!" B.J. cried. "Get off her!"

She then began to yank Angel off Leslie.

"OWIE!" Angel shrieked.

"DAD!" Nick called. "DAD!"

"What's going on in here?" Bob Carter demanded angrily.

"NICK!" Aaron squeaked, running to his big brother for protection.

"Girls, that'll be quite enough!" Bob roared, as he yanked them apart two at a time.

No sooner did he break then up, than did they go at one another again.

"I said, ENOUGH!" He bellowed, grabbing each in turn and spanking them. "Rooms! NOW!"

They all quickly scampered out of the living room, and up to their bedrooms in tears.

A few minutes later, shouting could be heard from upstairs. Bob angrily ascented the stairs and burst into Lenore and Leslie's room. He spanked them both again, then spoke through clenched teeth.

"Lenore, Nick's room. Leslie, stay here. I'll talk to you both later about your behaviour."

Lenore darted past him and into Nick's room. She was in there a half hour, before the door suddenly opened and Nick walked in.

"What are you doing in here?" He asked once he'd spotted her.

"Daddy told me to stay here," she answered.

"So, it was you and Leslie arguing earlier."

She nodded. "Mommy home yet?"

"She'll be home soon," he replied as he sat on his bed.

He patted his lap. "Come here you."

She climbed into his lap and cuddled into him as best she could.

"Daddy still mad?"

"I don't think so. He's helping Aaron build a truck outta blocks."

"Can I leave?"

"I dunno," he shrugged. "Dad didn't say. He just told me to check on you guys. I checked here last 'cause I didn't think anyone was in here. Dad didn't tell me he'd sent you to my room."

"I here lots."

"You are? Why?"

"Leslie and B.J.," she said simply. "They pick on me, then get me in trouble. I sent here so Leslie can still go to our room to get things."

"Ah, I see."

"Nick?"

"Hmm?"

"Why do me and Leslie have to share a room?"

"I dunno. You'll have to ask Mom 'bout that one."

Bob entered the room then. "Lenore, we need to talk."

"Yes Daddy," she answered softly.

"Nick..."

"Dad! It's my room!" Nick protested.

"Nickolas..."

Nick sighed frustratedly. "Fine."

He placed Lenore on the bed, then left his room to go find Aaron.

"Lenore, you need to learn to get along with your sisters," Bob told her. "I'm sick of you fighting with them all the time."

"Leslie started it!"

"That's not what the other girls told me," he stated. "Also, I don't care who started it. I want for you four to get along before the barbecue Saturday, or you won't be going."

"But what if not all of us are bad?"

"Whoever's good may go," he rejoined. "Whoever's bad will remain in their rooms for the entire day. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Daddy."

"Now, go downstairs and play," he said. "And no more shinanigans or else there'll be lots of trouble, understood?"

"Yes Daddy."

She scurried downstairs, and ran around like crazy trying to find Nick.

"Nick!" She called. "Nick!"

She finally found him in the basement with the others.

"We found him first!" Leslie informed her bluntly. "First come, first serve."

Lenore pouted, but sat on the couch to watch T.V. while her siblings played with Nick.

"It's not fair," she thought. "I love him more."

A.N.: Hope y'all are enjoying this one. I know I'm enjoying re-reading it & posting it. I'm also currently working on it, so I hopefully won't run out of chapters to post - lol. Disclaimer: Only own story idea & myself. Thank-you. Enjoy!

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Saturday.....

"Lenore!" Bob yelled. "Go to your room!"

"But I didn't do it Daddy!" She cried. "I didn't! Honest!"

"You'll be grounded tomorrow as well," Jane piped up. "Seeing as you've done nothing but lie to us since you got up this morning."

"I'm not lying!"

"Go to your room, NOW!" Bob hollered. "I'm not going to tell you again!"

"But I wanna see Brian!"

"You should've thought about that before pulling the stunts you did," Jane returned. "Now march!"

"But Mommy!" She wailed. "I wanna see the Boys!"

"Lenore, if I have to tell you once more to go to your room..." Bob trailed off.

She went to her room in tears, for she'd been looking forward to the barbecue for weeks.

Awhile later she heard the doorbell ring, and heard Brian's thick Kentucky drawl coming from the hallway.

"Hey y'all. How y'all doing?"

"BRIAN!" She heard everyone else shriek.

She began to cry all over again.

"It's not fair!" She thought angrily. "Leslie and B.J. always get their way!"

Outside.....

"Dad, where's Lenore?" Nick asked. "I know she was really looking forward to seeing Brian again."

"She's in her room," Bob answered shortly. "She misbehaved earlier, knowing full well what the consequences would be."

"Can't she come down even for a little while?"

"No," Bob stated. "You know the rules of the house Nick."

Nick shook his head unbelievingly and rolled his eyes some, then made his way over to where Brian as standing with a basketball.

"What's wrong Frack?" Brian queried. "You look kinda upset."

"I've a feeling Leslie and/or B.J. pulled some stunts this morning, then blamed it on Lenore," he replicated. "If my suspicions are correct, then they're the soul reason for her being stuck in her room, instead of being out here having fun with us."

"She's not allowed to come say hello either, is she?"

Nick shook his head.

"I think I have to go to the bathroom," Brian said, passing him the basketball, and smiling mishieviously.

Nick caught on immediately and nodded. "I'll keep 'em busy the best I can Frick."

"Thanks Frack," Brian replied as he slightly jogged to the house.

"Brian!" Leslie called. "Where are you going?"

"The bathroom!" He called back.

He casually climbed the stairs and headed towards the bathroom. But instead of going in, he continued on down the hall to the end bedroom. Once he reached the room, he softly knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" A small voice asked.

"Me," Brian responded.

The door flew open and he was met by a grinning six-year-old.

"Hi!" She chirped.

"Hey," he smiled lifting her up, and carrying her further into the room. "How ya doing?"

"Okay," she shrugged.

He stood there hugging her for a bit before sitting down on her bed.

"So..." He trailed off. "Whatcha been doing?"

"Watching everyone from my window," she sighed. "B.J. and Leslie got me in trouble again."

"That's what Nick told me."

"Does Daddy know you're here?"

"No," Brian answered honestly. "I said I was going to the bathroom. Guess I shouldn't stay too much longer; they'll be wondering where I am."

She pouted. "Hmph."

"Sorry Kiddo," He apologized before kissing her head.

He removed her from his lap, and left, closing the door behind him. He casually strolled back outside, hoping no one had realized just how long he'd been gone.

"You didn't go to the bathroom, did you?" B.J. accused. "You went to see her. I know you did."

Brian smiled innocently. "How would you know exactly where I was, unless you followed me?"

She gave him an icy look.

He continued to look back at her, until Leslie came up to them and began to drag him over to the swing set.

Awhile later the Boys all left, but before leaving, they all waved at Lenore and Leslie's bedroom window. They knew Lenore was watching them, as Brian had told them he'd seen her there. What they didn't know until after they'd all left, was that she'd told him she was watching them.

A.N.: Hey y'all. Here's more. Enjoy! Disclaimer: Only own myself & story idea. Thank-you.

---

Week later.....

"NICK!" Lenore shrieked, flying down the stairs. "DON'T GO!"

She latched onto his leg and refused to let go of him.

"Munchkin, I have to go," he said softly, as he pried her off his leg and picked her up. "The guys need me to help them make this group succeed."

She pouted. "I don't want you to go."

"I know you don't, Hun, but I have to," he sighed. "I've no choice in the matter."

"You can quit."

"Do you really want me to give up my dream?"

She looked down sadly. "No."

"Well, then?"

She looked back at him. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you more," he argued slightly. "Trust me. I will."

"Nuh-uh," she answered, shaking her head, causing her shoulder length brown hair to fly. "I'll miss you even more."

"Guess we'll just have to see 'bout that," he smiled as he began to tickle her. "Won't we Munchkin?"

She squealed with laughter, causing everyone else to enter the hallway.

"MY TURN! MY TURN!" The others shouted, all attacking Nick at once.

"Guys," Nick began. "You already said good-bye to me."

"So?" B.J. challenged.

Nick sighed as he shifted Lenore to one arm.

"Group hug," he said somewhat annoyed.

His siblings all readily clung to him, the youngest three not really noticing the annoyment in his voice.

"NICK!" Kevin called from outside. "C'MON!"

Angel's face lit up like a lightbulb.

"KEVIN!" She shrieked, running out to greet him. "KEVIN!"

He picked her up an twirled her around.

"Hey Kiddo," he grinned. "Long time no see."

She giggled. "You silly."

Nick came out then carrying Lenore, with the others attached to his shirt, or, in Aaron's case, his pants.

"Hey Kev," he replicated. "I would've been out here sooner, but as you can see, I was kinda mobbed before I could get out the door."

Kevin chuckled. "So I see."

"BRIAN!" Leslie screamed, eagerly running to hug him.

"A.J.!" B.J. yelped, darting in his dirrection.

Lenore pouted as she watched Leslie hug Brian.

Nick saw Lenore pout and spoke queitly.

"Hun, you'll get to say good-bye to him too. There's no need for the long face."

"You sure?" She checked.

"Positive. I know Brian won't leave without hugging you and Aaron too."

Aaron looked up at his brother. "Nick?"

Nick glanced down at him, saw the look on his face, and picked him up with his free arm.

"It'll be okay, Aaron," He told him. "Lenore and Angel will look out for you. Won't you Lenore?"

She nodded, then leaned towards Aaron to hug him.

"Do I get a hug too?" Brian asked playfully as he came up to them grinning.

The two in Nick's arms nodded.

"Come here then," Brian said as he took both of them at once.

They hugged him tight.

"I'll miss you guys."

"Miss you more," they argued.

"Dunno if that's possible," Brian answered before kissing their heads. "Seeing as I already know just how much I'll miss both of you."

Leslie tackled Nick shortly after he'd picked Angel up, almost causing him to drop her and fall to the ground.

"Les, watch what you're doing," Nick scolded somewhat. "You almost made me drop Angel."

Leslie shrugged and went on hugging him.

"Okay, we really have to go now guys," Kevin piped up. "Time to put the rugrats down."

"Aww," everyone groaned.

"Guys, y'all know if we're late Lou ain't gonna be happy," he reminded them. "We're on a tight schedule, which we must keep."

Brian put the rugrats down and watched as they ran to Nick. He looked on silently as Leslie and B.J. shoved Lenore aside when she tried to hug Nick again.

"Bye guys!" Nick called as he headed for the van.

"Nick!" Lenore cried. "I didn't get a hug!"

"Yes, you did!" Leslie argued. "You just want more 'en us!"

"I thought I hugged you," Nick said puzzled.

She shook her head furiously.

"Lenore, you know it's not nice to try and get more hugs than everyone else," Nick stated. "I love y'all the same and try to treat y'all equally."

"But I didn't get one!" She protested. "Honest! I didn't!"

"She didn't Frack," Brian piped up. "She was shoved aside. I saw."

"Come here then Munchkin," Nick sighed, bending down to hug her once more. "But no more after this."

She hugged him, casting a grateful glance at Brian.

Brian ruffled her hair and smiled back.

Nick kissed her forehead then stood up again.

"Okay, I'm going for real this time," he replicated. "No more trying to keep me here longer."

His five siblings nodded and watched sadly as he climbed into the van and it drove off. They all knew he wouldn't return for another few months, but knew he'd call whenever he could.

"How dare you get another hug!" Leslie hissed. "He was my brother first!"

"I didn't get more 'en you, I got the same," Lenore rejoined. "You know it."

"What I do know, is that you'd bettr watch your back while he's gone," Leslie threatened. "B.J. and I got some things cooked up that'll get you in loads of trouble."

"Yeah," B.J. added. "And Nick ain't here to defend or protect you this time around."

A.N.: Well, here's the next chapter. Hope y'all like it as much as yah did the last bunch. Enjoy! Disclaimer: Only own myself & story idea. BSB & Nick's family own themselves. Thank-you.

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Two weeks after.....

"Was that Nick?" Lenore asked B.J. "Was it?"

"No," B.J. lied. "It wasn't him."

"Oh," she said, saddening some. "Okay."

B.J. watched as her little sister trudged back upstairs, and smirked suddenly.

"Besides, if it was him, he wouldn't wanna talk to you!" She shouted.

"Why not?" Lenore queried, turning around. "Why wouldn't he wanna talk to me?"

"He don't love you, that's why," B.J. answered, smirking even more. "He told me so."

Lenore's lip trembled, but she said nothing as she continued on her way upstairs to Angel's room where she'd been playing.

"Hehe," B.J. thought proudly. "That'll burst her bubble."

"Kids!" Jane called. "Time to go!"

"Where we go Mommy?" Angel queried. "Grandma's?"

"No Honey. We're going grocery shopping," Jane told her daughter.

The rest of the troops entered the hallway then.

"Lenore, is your half of the room clean?"

"Yes Mommy," she replied. "I cleaned it earlier."

"Mom, can I stay home?" B.J. questioned. "Please?"

"Well, I dunno..."

"I am eleven," B.J. pointed out. "I'll be babysitting next year."

Jane thought it over, then sighed. "Fine."

"Can I stay too?" Leslie wanted to know. "Can I Mommy?"

"No Leslie, you can't," Jane stated. "Your sister's not of age to be watching you by herself just yet."

"But Mommy!" Leslie whined. "I don't wanna go!"

"Leslie Ann, that'll be quite enough," Jane snapped. "Now, grab your shoes and let's go."

Once the youngest four were ready and finally strapped into the car, she drove off, waving good-bye to B.J.

"It's payback time," B.J. said quietly. "The Brat will pay for being loved more. Oh, she shall pay. Her and Angel both."

Later on.....

"LENORE!" Jane yelled from upstairs. "GET UP HERE!"

"Yes Mommy?"

"I thought you said you cleaned your side of the room?"

"I did."

"Then what's all this?" Jane demanded, opening the bedroom door.

Lenore looked at her half of the room shocked. She knew she had cleaned it, as it had taken her and Aaron most of the afternoon. Aaron.

"But I did clean it Mommy!" She protested. "Aaron helped. He'll tell you it was clean. Angel too."

"AARON! ANGEL!"

"Yes Mommy?" The twins replied, coming out of Aaron's room.

"Was Lenore's room clean earlier?"

"Yes Mommy," Aaron responded. "I help. It clean."

"Angel?"

"I helped later," Angel told her. "It clean then too."

"Then what happened to it?"

The three of them shrugged.

"It's been like that all day, Mom," B.J. piped up, as she'd been listening to the whole conversation. "Apparently they have a different idea of clean."

"I don't appreciate being lied to," Jane said, giving her youngest three children a look. "Aaron, Angel, get ready for bed."

"But..."

"Now."

"Yes Mommy," they riposted, quickly scampering into their rooms.

"Lenore, clean your room, then go to bed."

"But Mommy!"

"Lenore Angeline," Jane warned. "Do as you're told."

"But I'm not lying!"

Jane spanked her suddenly. "I said clean your room! NOW!"

Lenore ran into her room crying and began to hurriedly put her things away.

"Why's everything on the floor?" She wondered. "I know Aaron and I put it away. I know we did."

It suddenly dawned on her what had happened.

"B.J."

A.N.: Hey y'all! Yes, I'm back. Been working on this a bit more now, so I decided to post more up. Lol. Enjoy! Disclaimer: Only own myself & story idea. The Carter Clan own themseles, as does the rest of BSB. Thank-you.

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Two months later.....

"Daddy?"

"Yes Pumpkin?"

"Did Nick call yet?"

"No. Not yet. Why?"

"I haven't talked to him since he left."

"What do you mean?" Bob interrogated, looking up from his paper. "Nick's phoned home plenty of times and talked to everyone."

"Nuh-uh," Lenore answered, shaking her head. "He hasn't talked to me Daddy."

The phone rang then.

"I'll get it!" B.J. yelled. "Hello?"

"Hey Beej," Nick replied. "Is Lenore there?"

"Uh...no. She went out with Mom," B.J. lied. "They won't be back until later. Much later."

"Oh, okay," he sighed. "I was just hoping to talk to her. I haven't talked to her in awhile and am getting kinda worried."

"She doesn't wanna talk to you anyway," B.J. added. "She's mad at you for something."

"What's she mad at me for?"

"Oh, I dunno. You know how easily she gets mad over the dumbest things at times."

"Well, guess I'll let you go then," Nick sighed again. "Talk to you later Beej."

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye."

B.J. hung up, then strolled casually into the living room.

"Who was on the phone?" Bob queried.

"Oh, just Nick."

"NICK?"

"What did he want?" Bob wanted to know.

"If Mom was home. Told him she was out. He wanted to talk to her 'bout something."

"He didn't asked for anyone else?" Bob asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

"Nope."

Lenore's eyes teared up then, as her face puckered and her lip trembled. Soon she was crying softly.

Bob hugged her. "Shh. It's okay Pumpkin. He'll call for you soon, if he really hasn't talked to you for awhile. I know he will. I promise."

"Brian too?"

"Brian too, Honey," Bob answered, hugging her tighter. "Shh."

A.N.: Provided my computer, this site, & notepad all get I long, I should be able to update this one a bit quicker now. As for, When A Monster Comes In Our Room, unless I can figure out the problem, or have someone else post for me, don't count on it being finished anytime soon. I dunno if it's the site, my computer, or Microsoft Word that's not letting me post more than just the picture & author's note. So, until it's figured out, I'm afraid it's gonna be left undone for a while. Now, onto this story. Enjoy! Disclaimer: Only own myself & story idea. Carter Clan & rest of BSB own themselves. Thank-you.

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Next night.....

"Hey Lenore!" Leslie yelled.

"Yeah?" Lenore replied, entering the kitchen.

"Nick just called."

Her face lit up. "He did? Did he ask for me?"

"No. He said he called to tell us he hates you."

"He h...hates me?" She managed.

Leslie nodded. "Yep."

"Why?"

"You never leave him alone. Everytime he turns around you're there," Leslie fibbed. "Said you're a pain-in-the-butt. He doesn't love you anymore either."

"He...he don't?"

"No."

Lenore raced out of the room and out the front door, so no one would see her cry.

Leslie heard the screen door slam shut and smirked.

"I'm glad she's so gulible," she thought happily.

Angel, who'd heard the whole conversation, was shocked by Leslie's words. She knew Nick had called, but he never said he hated Lenore. Actually, he did just the opposite. He'd told Leslie to give her his love since she was 'supposedly' busy.

She had a plan then. She found the number Nick had left for them, and hurried up to her room with the cordless phone.

"I hope Mommy and Daddy don't get mad..."

She dialed the number and listened to it ring until finally someone picked up.

"Hello?"

"Nick?"

"Angel?"

"Nick!"

"What's wrong? I just called there."

"Lenore's upset."

"Why now?" He asked, partially annoyed.

"Leslie told her you mad at her and don't love her no more."

"She what?!?"

"B.J. told her that too. You call, and no one tells her it's you, 'till later."

"Why do they do that?"

"They don't want her to talk to you. They get her in trouble too."

"How?"

"By messing her room. They get me and Aaron in trouble too."

"Is Lenore there now?"

Before she could say no, she saw her sister go into Aaron's room.

"Lenore!" She hissed. "Lenore!"

"What?" Lenore demanded coming into the room. "Who you talking to?"

"Nick."

Her face lit up some. "Nick?"

Angel nodded. "He wanna talk to you."

"Really?"

She nodded again.

Lenore had just taken the phone, when B.J. came in and grabbed it from her.

"Hey!" Lenore cried.

"You're not allowed on the phone, remember?"

"But it's Nick!"

"Lenore? Lenore?" Nick called through the phone. "Lenore? Are you there?"

B.J. hung the phone up.

"NO!" Lenore shrieked, quickly attacking her big sister. "NO!"

"What's going on in here?" Jane demanded. "What's all the yelling about?"

"They called Nick long distance," B.J. told her mother. "They were telling him lies too."

"We were not!" Angel protested. "I called him!"

"Did you have permission to call him?"

"No Mommy," Angel admitted.

Jane took the phone from her. "Grounded. Today and tomorrow."

She turned to Lenore. "I thought I told you, you weren't allowed on the phone?"

"You did. But..."

"No buts. Grounded. Rest of week. Room. Now."

Lenore slowly walked to her room with her head hung.

"I just wanna talk to Nick," she mumbled, as lone tears began to fall.

A.N.: Hey y'all! Warning, this chapter is a lil' short. But I make up for it with the next one - trust me. Plz R&R! Enjoy! Disclaimer: Only own myself & story idea. Carter Clan & rest of BSB own themselves, as does Marcus (should he be mentioned). Thank-you.

---

California.....

"Lenore? Damn!"

"What's wrong Frack?"

"That was Angel on the phone. She told me Lenore's been home every single time I've called. Leslie and B.J. won't let her talk to me. They keep getting her, Aaron, and Angel in trouble. Lenore especially. I was just about to talk to Lenore, but B.J. hung the phone up when she found out it was me."

"Maybe you ought to call home and explain things to your folks," Brian suggested. "That might clear things up on their end."

"I'll try again later. Let things cool off a bit right now."

"You say so. But don't wait too long. Poor kid hasn't talked to you in two months. Just think 'bout what it's probably doing to her."

"I know."

A.N.: Hey y'all! Hope yah enjoy this one as much as I do-lol. Plz R&R! Enjoy! Disclaimer: Only own myself & story idea. Carter Clan & rest of BSB own themselves, as does Marcus (should he be mentioned). Thank-you.

---

Florida later that night.....

Lenore awoke from a nightmare screaming.

"NICK! NICK!"

Bob and Jane came running into Nick's room.

"Honey, what's wrong?" Jane queried.

"NICK!"

Bob pulled her into a hug. "Shh. Don't cry. He's okay. I promise."

She sniffled. "You sure Daddy?"

"Positive," Bob responded.

"You wanna call him just to make sure?" Jane questioned. "This way you'll know he's okay."

Lenore nodded "Uh-huh."

Jane picked up the phone and dialed a number.

"Hello?" A voice said groggily.

"Brian? Is Nick there?"

"Yeah. But he's zonked out on top his bed."

"Could you wake him up for me please?"

"Is something wrong?"

"No. It's nothing urgent. Lenore just had a bad dream, that's all."

"Ah, I see. She needs proof he's okay, right?"

"Right."

"Give me a minute. He's hard to wake up. I'm hoping he don't swing at me again."

"Nick!" Brian called softly, shaking his best bud. "Nick! Wake-up!"

"What?" Nick groaned. "Go away."

"Your Mom's on the phone."

Nick shot straight up. "Mom? What's wrong? Is everything okay? Did something happen to someone?"

"Nothing happened. She'll explain," Brian assured him, as he handed him the phone. "I'll be in the bathroom if you need me."

Nick nodded, then spoke into the phone.

"Mom?"

"Hello Nick."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," she replied. "Lenore had a bad dream involving you and won't go back to sleep until she knows you're okay."

"Oh. Okay. Put her on."

"Here."

"Oh, Mom?"

She brought the phone back to her ear. "Yeah?"

"I need to talk to you once she's asleep. It's important."

"Okay Dear."

She passed Lenore the phone. "Here Honey."

"Nick?" Lenore asked cautiously.

"Hey Munchkin," Nick answered. "Where ya been?"

"Here," she told him. "Nick?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you hate me?"

"No. I could never hate you, Hun."

"But Leslie said you did. So'd B.J.!" She cried. "They said that's why you never wanna talk to me."

Bob and Jane exchanged looks. Both knew she'd never lie to Nick. No. Not to her hero. Not ever.

"They were wrong to do that," Nick informed her. "I love all of you, no matter what."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Nick?"

"Yeah?"

"Will you sing?"

"Um..." Nick trailed off, casting a glance at the bathroom. "Okay."

"Yay!" Lenore cheered happily.

"You can't tell anyone I sing this for you though, okay? It'll be our lil' secret, alright?"

"Kay Nick," she grinned.

"Tweedle deedle deedle dee. Tweedle deedle deedle deedle deedle dee. Tweedle deedle deedle dee. Tweedle deedle deedle deedle deedle dee. Tweet tweet. Tweet tweet. He rocks in the tree top all day long. Hoppin' and a boppin' and a singin' his song. All the little birds on day bird street, go up to Rockin' Robin going tweet tweet tweet," Nick sang. "Rockin' Robin. Tweedle deedle deedle dee. Tweedle deedle deedle deedle deedle dee. Rockin' Robin. Tweedle deedle deedle dee. Tweedle deedle deedle deedle deedle dee. Go Rockin' Robin. He's really gonna rock tonight....."

Lenore eventually fell asleep with a small smile on her face.

"Nick, I don't know what you sang to her, but thanks," Bob said into the phone. "I haven't seen her this happy in two long months."

"No problem Dad. Call me anytime if she needs me again. I don't mind singing her to sleep."

"Thanks again son," Bob said, before passing the phone to Jane.

"Now, what did you want to talk to me about Nick?" Jane questioned. "You didn't sound too happy about something."

"It's Leslie and B.J.," he began.

A.N.: Hey y'all! Sorry it took me so damned long to update. Since y'all seemed to lose interest, I did too-lol. But it's cool. Enjoy! Disclaimer: Only own Lenore & story idea. BSB & Carter Clan own themselves, as does Marcus. Thank-you.

---

Morning.....

"BOBBI JEAN AND LESLIE ANN CARTER!" Bob shouted. "GET DOWN HERE! NOW!"

The two of them flew into the kitchen, both wondering what they'd done wrong.

"What's this we hear the two of you are filling Lenore's head with a bunch of lies?" Jane demanded.

"Who told you that?" B.J. asked. "Whoever it was, told you wrong."

"Don't stand there and lie to us!" Bob yelled. "Nick told us everything last night!"

"When were you talking to him last night?" Leslie wanted to know. "Why didn't we get to talk to him?"

"It was three o'clock in the morning!" Jane snapped. "Someone needed him to re-assure her that he didn't hate her because of you two!"

"We were also told you're the reason she hasn't talked to him these past two months," Bob added. "Don't deny it either, as we've heard enough from everyone else."

"What? You gonna believe her and her lies over us and the truth?" B.J. retorted. "Is that what you're saying?"

"Don't talk to us in that tone!" Jane riposted. "We're your parents! Show us some respect!"

"Show me some respect and I'll show you some respect!" B.J. spat.

Bob grew furious and spanked her then.

"Apoligize to your mother," he ordered. "Now."

"NO!" B.J. shrieked. "I WON'T!"

"Bobbi Jean," Bob said in a warning tone.

"GO AHEAD AND SPANK ME AGAIN!" She screamed. "I DON'T CARE!"

Bob was even angrier, and in two great strides was at her side. He picked her up and carried her up to her room. There he spanked her again, but harder than he had before.

Meanwhile, downstairs Leslie was staring at her mother wide-eyed.

"I'm sorry Mommy," she apologized, hoping her turn wasn't next.

"It's too late for apologies," Jane stated. "Go to your room."

Leslie nodded, silently cheering that she wasn't going to be spanked.

"Don't go thinking you're not next either," Jane said, reading her mind. "Because you are."

Leslie's shoulders sagged as she left the kitchen. She trudged up to her room and nervously waited for her father to come in and disipline her.

The two of them were grounded for a month. No T.V. or phone for two weeks, which meant they weren't even allowed to talk to Nick when he phoned. They were to also stay in their rooms the first week, in the house the second, and in the yard the last two.

A.N.: This is basically just a filler & gives yah more stats on Nick's sibs. Enjoy! Disclaimer: Only own Lenore & story idea. BSB & Carter Clan own themselves, as does Marcus. Thank-you.

---

New York.....

"What's your siblings' stats again, Nick?" The journalist asked.

The Boys had been surprised when Johnny told them they had an interview with the local newspaper. They hadn't expected to have people prying into their lives so soon.

"There's Ginger, B.J., Leslie, Lenore, Angel, and Aaron," Nick answered. " Ginger's my half sister; she's fifteen. B.J.'s eleven, Leslie's seven, and Lenore's six. Angel and Aaron are the twins; they're five."

"Birthdays and full name's?"

" Virginia Kaleen Carter, July 22nd, 1978. Bobbi Jean Carter, June 8th, 1982," Nick started. "Leslie Ann Carter, May 16th, 1985. Lenore Angeline Carter, April 17th, 1986. Angel Barbara Charisma and Aaron Charles Carter, December 7th, 1987."

"When do you guys go to Europe?"

"November 3rd," Kevin replied. "It gives Nick and A.J. enough time to have their Halloween candy wear off."

"Aw, shut-up," A.J. said. "You know as well as I do, it'll be the Carter Clan that needs the sugar to wear off."

"Brian too!" Nick put in. "He's going with us!"

"Shh!" Brian hissed jokingly. "She doesn't need to know that!"

The reporter laughed at them. "Yep. I'd say you're like brothers."

"Yo! Homey Giligan! We'd be brothers!" Howie smiled.

"So, Brian, what's your brother's name?"

"Harold III," Brian responded. "He was named after our father and grandfather."

A.N.: Yes, me again. Three updates today 'cause I wrote more - though, I'm way ahead of this part-lol. Enjoy! Disclaimer: Only own Lenore & story idea. BSB & Carter Clan own themselves, as does Marcus. Thank-you.

---

Halloween.....

"I'm going with Brian!" Leslie shrieked, then stuck her tongue out at Lenore.

"I'm going with Nick," Lenore smirked.

"No. I'm going with Nick," B.J. argued, shoving her aside.

"Hmph!" Lenore pouted.

Brian picked Aaron up. "We're all going together, so it doesn't matter who you're with."

"Hey!" Leslie cried. "I said I was going with you! Why do you have him?"

"He asked me while he was getting his costume on," Brian replied. "Besides, if I wanna pick Aaron up, I will."

Now it was Leslie's turn to pout.

"What's with all the pouting?" Nick asked, as he picked Angel up. "We're getting free candy, so what's the problem?"

"They're arguing over who's going with who," A.J. told him. "Brian told them we're all going as a group, but they still refuse to smile."

"Guys, if Mom catches you arguing, more or less pouting, she won't let you go out," Nick informed them. "You don't wanna stay here and help pass out candy, do you?"

They all shook their heads.

"Let's go then," Howie piped up. "I dunno 'bout you guys, but I'd like some candy before it's all gone."

This is what they all went out as:

Goblin - B.J. Devil - Aaron Witch - Angel Princess - Leslie Batman - Lenore Ninja Turtle - Nick The Joker - Brian Mrs. Doubtfire - A.J. Vampire - Howie Spiderman - Kevin

"Brian, can I go with you?" Lenore asked awhile later. "Please?"

"Why? I thought you wanted to go with Nick?"

"But Batman and The Joker belong together," she pointed out. "Just like a vampire and a witch should be together."

"And a Princess and Mrs. Doubtfire," B.J. added. "Plus, a Goblin and a Ninja Turtle."

"Who goes with Spiderman?" Kevin wanted to know.

"The Devil!" Aaron grinned running over to him. "Up!"

Kevin laughed and picked him up. "Is that so?"

"Yep," Aaron nodded.

"Alrighty then," Brian smiled taking Lenore's hand in his. "Let's go."

They went up to the next house in their little duos.

"Trick or treat!" They chorused.

"Aw. Isn't that cute?" The woman cooed. "Batman and The Joker."

"Thank-you," they replied as they in turn took their candy.

She looked at Brian. "How old's your little brother?"

"Uh, Ma'am," Brian began. "This isn't my little brother. And this Batman's a little girl, not a little boy."

"Oh, my. I'm terribly sorry," she apologized. "I didn't know."

"It's okay," Nick put in. "I don't think my sister minds that much."

"Still. I feel bad."

"Don't."

"Here," she said, giving Lenore a handful of mini chocolate bars. "I hope this makes up for my mistake."

"Thank-you," Lenore smiled politely.

They turned to leave, but Leslie began to complain.

"Hey!" Leslie exclaimed "How come she got more than the rest of us?"

"Les!" Nick hissed. "That's not nice!"

"It's not nice to give her more than everybody 'cause of a stupid mistake!" She retorted. "Besides, she don't deserve more candy! She deserves to lose hers!"

"Leslie, shut-up!" Nick snapped. "You're being rude and selfish. If you don't stop I'm going to drop you off at home."

"You wouldn't and you know it!" She rejoined. "You know if we go back Mommy will make everyone stay."

"Excuse me," Nick said, as he grabbed Leslie's arm. "I'll catch up later. Please don't leave this street 'cause then I won't find you. I'll meet y'all at the other end in a few minutes."

They nodded.

"Alright," Kevin replied. "But be careful and don't get lost."

"You want me to go with you, Frack?"

"Frick, why spoil it for everyone else? Stay with Batman; she needs a villian to conk over the head with her bag."

"See ya in a bit then," Brian shrugged.

"Don't wimp out and stay home either!" A.J. called after him. "You do, and I get your candy!"

"Whatever A.J.!" Nick called back.

"Let go!" Leslie replicated, struggling to get free. "I'm not going home!"

"Yes, you are," Nick riposted. "I'm sick of your whining. You're ruining the fun for everybody else."

"I am not!" She cried. "Lenore is!"

Nick whipped her around to face him.

"Stop blaming everything on Lenore!" He growled. "She's not the problem. The problem is, you're jealous, and are acting like a little snot because of it."

They reached the house then, and Nick dragged her insde.

"Back so soon?" Bob asked once they'd entered. "I thought you'd still be trick or treating."

"I am," Nick rejoined. "She's not."

"Daddy! Tell him he doesn't get to decide that!"

"Why isn't she going back out?"

"She's being rude, whining, and complaining," Nick began. "Plus, she's getting mad over stupid little things."

"Like what?"

"Like, Lenore got more candy because a woman felt bad for thinking she was a boy," he responded.

"But she did!"

"You didn't have to complain about it right in front of the lady!"

"Okay. Okay!" Bob said. "I've heard enough. Nick, go catch up with them. Leslie, give me your candy and go to your room."

"But Daddy!"

"Go."

"Hmph!" She pouted as she passed him her candy.

Nick hurriedly left then, being careful not to bump into anything scary looking.

"Hey Frack," Brian greeted. "Glad to see ya didn't get lost on us."

"Who me?" Nick asked innocently. "Nah. Never."

"Damn. Guess I don't get your candy now," A.J. stated. "I was really looking forward to eating it too."

"Don't count on it," Nick shot-back. "Nothing scares me."

A.J. busted out laughing then.

"Oh, shut-up," Nick grumbled.

They joked around for a few minutes, until they suddenly heard someone scream. They looked around and noticed what the problem was. Lenore and Angel had been shoved into the street, right in front of an oncoming car. The driver slammed on the brakes, but it was too late.

"NO!" Nick screamed, quickly diving into the street and knocking them out of the way.

He curled up tight once he landed, so the car hopefully wouldn't run over him, and to protect his sisters.

"Nick!" Kevin cried. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," he managed, sitting up some.

He checked Lenore, then Angel. "You okay?"

They looked at him with tears streaming down their faces.

He pulled them close and hugged them as tight as he could.

"Are they alright?" The driver of the car questioned. "I didn't hit them, did I?"

"No. They're alright," Howie assured him. "Scared, but unharmed."

"I'm really sorry," he apologized. "They came out of no where and I couldn't stop fast enough."

"It's not your fault," Brian said. "It could've happened to anybody."

Nick stood up with them in his arms, while A.J. grabbed all three bags of candy. Amazingly none had fallen out during the commotion. They walked back to the sidewalk and tried to calm their nerves.

"What happened?" Nick queried. "How'd you wind up in the street?"

He felt someone tug on his shirt. He looked down only to find Aaron looking up at him, his eyes huge.

"It was B.J.," he stated. "She pushed them. Pushed me too. I grabbed Brian's shirt. They okay?"

All eyes turned to B.J.

"What?" She said casually. "I didn't do nothing."

Nick narrowed his eyes.

"I didn't!" She cried. "Honest!"

"Did she shove you guys?"

The two in his arms shook their heads yes.

"I think we've had enough trick or treating, don't you?" Kevin piped up.

The others agreed, then headed back to the house. B.J. struggled with Kevin, while Brian carried Aaron, A.J. the candy, and Nick the two who'd almost been hit.

"Back again?" Bob joked slightly. "What's the problem this time? No candy left?"

He noticed the serious, yet worried expressions on the Boys' faces.

"What's wrong?"

"Let go!" B.J. yelled.

She got mad when Kevin refused to let go, and kicked him in the shin. Hard.

"Ow!" Kevin exclaimed, letting her go, and stumbling some. "B.J.!"

"Bobbi Jean, why'd you kick him?" Bob demanded.

"He wouldn't let go of my arm."

"Why was he holding your arm in the first place?"

"He was being mean."

"Nuh-uh," Aaron said, shaking his blond head, after Brian had put him down. "You pushed us in front of a car."

Bob, who'd looked down at Aaron, snapped his head up and glared at her.

"I did not!"

"You did so!" Aaron shouted. "I would've been there too, but I grabbed Brian!"

"Bobbi Jean," Bob began emotionless. "Room. I'll deal with you in a minute."

"Sure, believe them!" She yelled, running upstairs. "You always do!"

"Are they okay?" He interrogated, indicating the two in Nick's arms.

"They're fine, Dad," Nick told him. "Worried about their candy and kinda shook up, but fine."

Bob kissed his daughters' heads, then stalked upstairs to deal with his eldest daughter.

"We check candy now?" Lenore piped up. "I wanna chocolate bar."

"Yeah, we can check 'em," Nick sighed. "But no eating anything until we've seen and checked it, alright?"

"Aye," the youngest three giggled.

They went into the kitchen then, to check their candy and to snack on some of it.

A.N.: Hey y'all! I'm ba-ack! Lol. Enjoy! Disclaimer: Only own myself & story idea. BSB & Carter Clan own themselves. Thank-you!

---

November 3rd.....

"AHH!" Nick screamed playfully, as he ran away from his siblings and A.J. "HELP!"

Brian cut B.J. off then, picked her up, and ran in the oppossite direction.

"Hey!" B.J. shouted. "Put me down!"

"I'll save you!" Lenore cried, turning to run after him and her sister. "Slow down!"

Suddenly, Kevin scooped her up and joined in on the chase.

"Faster Kevin!" She cried. "Faster!"

"Ow!" Aaron yelped as he fell down. "Owie!"

"You called?" Howie joked, as he helped him up. "You okay?"

Aaron checked to see if there was any blood, and when he didn't see anything, he nodded.

"Let's get Nick then," Howie smiled, placing the small boy on his shoulders. "Hold on."

A.J. caught Leslie shortly afterwards, just as Nick scooped Angel up while in mid run.

"Kids," Bob chuckled, as he and Jane watched from the porch. "What do you do with them?"

"You sit here and laugh at them," she replied. "Then remind them, that if they don't go soon, they'll miss their plane."

"Boys!" Bob called. "You gotta get going!"

"Aww!" They all groaned.

Lenore squirmed until Kevin put her down, then dashed to Nick's side and clutched his pant leg in her hand.

"Nick?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I go with you? Please?"

"No. Sorry Hun. You can't."

"But I promise I'll be good!"

"Kiddo, it's not that simple," Brian said, coming to Nick's aid. "We have to work and it wouldn't be any fun for you."

She pouted.

"If it makes you feel any better," Brian began, crouching down to her height, "I'll call you every day this time around."

"Promise?"

"With all my heart," he smiled, as she hugged him.

She finished hugging him, then latched onto Nick again.

"UP!" Aaron cried, as he joined her at his legs.

Nick picked him up.

"Me too!" Lenore insisted. "Me too!"

"Hun, I've no room for you left," he stated. "I can't hold all three of you."

"Angel had a turn. It my turn now."

"Angel was here first. She's not going anywhere until I decide she is."

"Hmph! Meanie!"

He sighed. "Lenore, don't start this again."

Leslie and B.J. hugged him once he'd put the twins down, then he squatted down.

"Munchkin, don't be mad at me," he begged somewhat. "I don't like it when you're mad at me. It's not my fault you can't come. If I could bring you with me, I would, but I can't. I need you to look out for Aaron for me, seeing as he's stuck in a house full of girls most the time. Can you do that for me?"

She nodded, as her eyes welled up with tears, and her lower lip began to quaver.

"Call me if you get scared again, alright?"

Once more she nodded.

He sighed helplessly.

Suddenly, she flung herself at him, and started to wail.

"I don't want you to go! Stay! Please stay!"

"Hun, I told you I can't."

"But you promised we'd play Barbies!"

He looked at the guys embarassed.

"I promise we'll play Barbies when I get back, okay?"

She sniffled. "Okay."

He kissed the top of her head, then climbed into Kevin's car.

"Bye!" He called. "I'll miss you!"

"Bye!" Everyone shouted.

Bob picked Lenore up. "It'll be okay. He'll be home again soon."

"I miss him already Daddy."

"I know you do, Pumpkin. We all do."

They waved good-bye until they could no longer see the car.

A.N.: I'm ba-ack! Lol. Enjoy! Disclaimer: Only own Lenore & story idea. Nick & rest of Carter Clan own themselves. Thank-you!

---

Weeks later.....

"Angel! Give it back!" Lenore shrieked. "It's mine!"

"No!" It mine!" Angel cried. "I had first!"

"Stop!" Aaron shouted. "Mommy's coming. She not happy!"

He watched worriedly as his sisters continued to fight over a Ninja Turtle action figure.

"What's going on in here?" Jane demanded.

"Nothing," was the reply she got.

"Well, something's going on, if you're saying that. Now, I'm not going to ask you again. What's going on?"

"She stole Raphael!" Lenore complained. "I had him first!"

"I had first!" Angel argued. "You have Rocksteady!"

"Girls, that'll be quite enough. If you don't stop fighting, I'm putting you both to bed with no supper."

"But..."

"No buts. Now, behave."

"Yes Mommy."

No sooner did Jane leave the room, than did Leslie walk in.

"Out!" Aaron ordered, trying to shove her out. "My room! Not yours!"

"So what?" Leslie challenged. "Care to make something of it? If you do, I can always tell Mommy who broke the lamp..."

Aaron paled. "You stay."

"I thought so."

"That mean," Lenore said. "It wasn't his fault."

"Stop sticking up for him," Leslie snapped. "Nick's not gonna care if you stop defending Aaron for a day."

"Don't care. I promised. Leave Aaron alone."

"Ow!" Leslie shrieked. "Mommy!"

Jane re-entered the room, more annoyed than last time. "Now what?"

"Lenore pulled my hair!"

"I didn't!" Lenore denied. "She yelled for no reason!"

"You did so!" Leslie argued.

"Nuh-uh!" Lenore shot back.

"Enough!" Jane stated. "Lenore, get ready for bed. Go to Nick's room. I'll be in to talk to you once you're done."

"But Mommy!" Lenore cried. "I'm hungry!"

"I don't care!" Jane snapped. "Now go!"

Lenore scurried to Nick's room, bumping into her father on the way there.

"Where you going in such a hurry?" He asked picking her up.

"Mommy mad," she answered. "Leslie said I pulled her hair."

"Did you?"

"No Daddy," she responded shaking her head. "I just 'fended Aaron."

"Why were you defending Aaron?"

"Leslie said she'd tell Mommy he broke her lamp," she said, then realized she'd slipped. "Oops." "Don't worry, Aaron's not in trouble," he assured her. "As I've a feeling it wasn't his fault, was it?"

"Uh-uh," Lenore replied, shaking her head. Jane came out of Aaron's room and frowned when she saw Bob holding Lenore.

"I thought I told you to get ready for bed?"

"Yes, but..."

"Lenore," she warned.

"Jane, it's okay. I stopped her," Bob told his wife. "I think things will be fine, if we just get Leslie to stay out of Aaron's room."

Jane groaned. "I'm sick of all the damn arguing! It's been going on non-stop for a whole damn month!"

"Why don't you and I sit down together and think up a solution?" Bob suggested. "But first, let's get Leslie to leave her younger siblings alone."

Jane sighed. "Fine."

"Leslie!" Bob called.

"Yes Daddy?"

"Get out of Aaron's room and stay out!"

"But Daddy!"

"I mean it Leslie Ann."

Leslie came out of Aaron's room then and glared at Lenore.

"Hmph!" She grumbled.

Bob put Lenore down and told her to go on and play.

Two days later...

"Brian!" Lenore shrieked.

"Lenore!" Brian said jokingly in the same tone she'd used.

She giggled as he picked her up. "You're so silly."

Brian grinned at her. "So are you."

"Where's Nick?"

"At the Hotel," Brian replied. "He doesn't know you're coming. We're going to surprise him."

"I loves surprises," Lenore smiled.

They left the airport then to go back to the Hotel. They reached the Hotel and Brian carried her and her stuff in. All she had was a suitcase and a backpack. They reached the floor that the Boys were on, and immediately headed for Nick's room.

"Room service!" Brian called in a funny voice as he knocked on the door. "Special delivery."

The door opened and A.J. appeared behind it.

He smiled widely. "Hullo."

Lenore hugged him, then was placed on the floor.

"Shh," Brian signalled.

She nodded showing she understood.

"Hey Frack," Brian began. "I gotta special delivery for you."

"What is it?" Nick asked, never taking his eyes off the screen as he was playing Nintendo. "I'm kinda busy. Can't I see it later?"

"Can I play?" Lenore piped up. "Please?"

Nick looked over at them confused, and grinned an ear to ear grin when he spotted his little sister.

"Lenore!" He cried.

"Nick!" She exclaimed as she ran to hug him.

The two embraced as the others laughed.

"So, you wanna wait 'till later to see her still?" A.J. teased.

"Shut-up Bone," Nick retorted. "I'm gonna play Nintendo with my lil' sis, so leave me alone."

"I be Raphael?" Lenore queried, then pouted. "Please?"

Nick laughed. "Fine. You can be Raph."

She hugged him again. "Thank-you!"

"Um...Frick?"

"Yeah, Frack?"

"Why's she here?"

"Your Mom called the other day saying they had to send either Lenore or Leslie here, as they can't seem to stop fighting," Brian told him. "She called Lou and talked to him. Needless to say, he's not happy, but agreed to it anyway."

"Why'd they send Lenore instead of Leslie?"

"Daddy said Leslie just cause trouble. I'm always good for you," Lenore began. "'Sides, Leslie swear at Mommy and call Aaron a poopy-head."

"A poopy-head?" A.J. double-checked.

"She said bad word instead of poopy though," Lenore informed him. "Daddy gots mad and grounded her. She mad 'cause I gets to come here. B.J.'s not happy I here either. Angel an' Aaron mad too."

She stopped playing Nintendo to look at Nick.

"Nick?"

"Yeah?"

"Why is everyone always mad at me? I never did nothing to them. I kept Aaron outta trouble and helped Angel with her gift for Mommy. I even helped B.J. clean her room, and gave Leslie the last cookie even though I really wanted it."

"I dunno, Hun," Nick sighed. "I think they're just mad 'cause you get to see me and they don't."

"But it's not my fault Mommy and Daddy said I had to go with you. I like being with you. They know I love you best."

"Lenore, I don't know who loves me best," Nick started. "But it's not too nice to say so, knowing if the others could've came instead of you they would've."

"Are you mad at me now too?" She queried.

"I'm not mad," Nick replied. "I'm just....never mind."

"We play Nintendo now?"

"Only for a few minutes. I think we have a rehearsal soon."

"That we do Frack," Brian said. "That we do."

Rehearsal...

"Lenore, you have to stay here, okay?" Nick told her. "We can't have you getting in the way 'cause then Lou will get mad."

"Kay Nick," she shrugged, then plopped down onto the floor.

All the Boys smiled at her in turn as they entered the room.

"Hey Kiddo," Brian said.

"Hi Brian!" She chirped.

"Stay put," Kevin stated as he ushered the others to their spots.

"I will," she promised.

She watched quietly as the guys began to practice. She grew bored after while, and began to get antsy.

"Nick!" She whined. "I'm bored!"

"Hun, why don't you play with your doll?" Nick suggested. "I'm sure she'd be happy to play."

"I already did!" She cried. "I don't wanna play with her! I wanna play with you!"

"I can't play right now," Nick replied. "Besides, we played earlier, and can play again later."

"But..."

"Lenore," Nick said warily. "You have to be patient and learn to entertain yourself. I can't play with you twenty-four/seven. I have a job to do, and I don't just mean taking care of you. I have to practice if I wanna be a singer. Can you understand that?"

Lenore sighed. "I guess so."

Nick kissed her forehead. "Thanks Munchkin. I promise we'll play as soon as I'm done, alright?"

"Alright," she sighed again, as she gave him a small smile.

"There's my girl," he smiled back, before kissing her head once more. "Remember, I promised."

She grinned then. "Barbies?"

Nick nodded. "We'll play Barbies."

"Go Nick," she rejoined, shoving him out onto the floor. "Practice."

The Boys finally finished rehearsing and went over to where Lenore had been sitting only to discover she wasn't there.

Nick looked at the guys panicked. "Where'd she go?"

"I dunno," Brian said. "She was here the last time I looked."

"Same here," the others agreed.

Nick ran out into the hall. "Lenore? Lenore? Lenore!"

The Boys looked everywhere but couldn't find her. Nick grew scared and began to cry in spite of himself.

"Hey, don't cry Frack," Brian stated, putting his arm around him. "We'll find her, I know we will."

"But we've looked everywhere!" Nick cried. "I dunno where else to look!"

They heard a small scared voice then. "Nick?"

Nick shot down the hall and around the corner only to find Lenore standing in the middle of the hallway looking for him.

"Lenore!" He shouted running to her and picking her up. "We've been looking everywhere for you. Where'd you go?"

Lenore hugged him. "I had to go to the bathroom an' got lost on my way back."

"Why didn't you tell us you had to go to the bathroom?" Nick asked as the other Boys approached them. "One of us would've taken you."

"You said if I bugged you we couldn't play Barbies," Lenore anwered. "I wanna play Barbies."

Nick groaned inwardly. "Lenore, the next time, no matter what I've said, tell one of us, okay?"

"Kay," Lenore shrugged as Nick hugged her closer.

Back at the Hotel...

 

         

  Lenore anxiously got out the Barbies she'd brought with her while Nick was in the bathroom. She couldn't wait to play Barbies with him again as he always made them talk funny. Once she'd set her dolls up she went over and knocked on the bathroom door.

           

"Nick?"

          

"Yeah?"

           

"You all done? Barbie's waiting."

           

Nick laughed. "Give me one more minute Hun. I'll be right there."

           

"Kay," Lenore answered, then ran back to pick out the Barbie she wanted.

      

    A minute or so later Nick emerged from the bathroom and sat down on the floor, across from her.

           

"Here Nick," Lenore smiled handing him a blond Barbie with pig-tails. "You can have her."

           

"Does she have a name?" He asked.

           

Lenore nodded. "Yep. Her name Holly. I gots Jenny."

           

"Okay then," Nick smiled, then changed his voice. "How are you today Jenny?"

           

"Okay. Thank-you," Lenore made Jenny reply. "How are you Holly?"

           

"I'm good," Nick answered in his high pitched voice. "You wanna go shopping?"

     

     "Why, yes, I loves to goes shopping," Lenore giggled. "I loves to shop."

           

Nick looked at his little sister puzzled then. "You do?"

           

Lenore giggled again. "Not me Nick. Jenny. Jenny like to shop."

           

"Oh," Nick nodded. "I see."

           

They played right up until Lenore had to go to bed. Naturally, like any six-year-old, she put up a fuss.

           

"But Nick! I don't wanna go to bed! I wanna play!"

           

"Lenore, you have to go to bed 'cause we gotta get up early," Nick told her. "We've a long day tomorrow. Besides, you can stay up late tomorrow night."

      

    "I can?"

           

"Yep. But only if you go to bed now."

           

"Promise?" She checked.

           

"Promise Munchkin."

           

She grinned at him then ran over to her suitcase and yanked out herpajamas. Once she'd retrieved them, she ran to the bathroom to change and do what she had to. She had to call Nick to help her reach the sink though, as the counter was huge, making the sink harder to reach. After she'd brushed her teeth, she dove onto the bed they'd share, causing it to bounce some.

           

"Wee!" She laughed. "It bouncy!"

           

Nick shook his head at her while smiling, as he went over to tuck her in.

           

"Under the covers you," he said. "It's not time to bounce, it's time to sleep."

          

Lenore looked at him and pouted. "But Nicky..."

           

"If you get under the covers I'll sing," he stated, hoping to be able to bribe her.

           

He watched as her eyes lit up. "Our song Nicky?"

           

"Yep," He nodded. "Our song."

           

She scrambled to get under the covers then. Once there she looked at him expectantly.

          

"Sing Nick! Sing!"

           

Nick couldn't help but laugh as he sat next to her. He pulled the covers up and kissed her forehead.

           

"Alright. A guy needs a minute to think." He forced his songs out of his head, and their song in to replace what he'd shoved out. Once he'd done that he began to sing. "...Rockin' Robin. Rockin' Robin. Go Rockin' Robin, you're really gonna rock tonight..."

           

After she'd fallen asleep with a smile on her face, he kissed her forehead again and made sure she was tucked in good. He didn't want her to fall out so he'd made sure to tuck her in extra good. He knew she'd a habit of falling out of beds she wasn't used to.

           

Nick turned the T.V. down after making sure his little sister would be okay, then sat on the edge of the bed to watch The Simpsons. He'd made it so the light from the screen wouldn't bother Lenore, as he'd purposely sat in the light's way.

   

       Eventually it got late and he too went to bed. Brian hadn't visited him that night, as they'd agreed to let Lenore have one last good night of sleep. They did this, as they knew it'd probably be her last while she toured with them. 

The next afternoon...

    "You think you can stay put today Kiddo?" Kevin asked jokingly.

    Lenore looked up at him and nodded. "Yep. I brought my Barbies to play with. Nick said I gets a new one if I stay put."

    "Nick! Are you bribing her?" Kevin called.

    Nick smirked. "Maybe. Maybe not."

    Kevin shook his head, then looked back down at Lenore.

    "Which Barbie are yah going to get this time?"

    "Bedtime Midge," Lenore answered. "You can put glow 'n' the dark stickers on her pajamas."

    "You can, can you?"

    "Yep," Lenore nodded smiling. "Maybe I'll get the Barbie whose hair you can spray blue too!"

    "And why do you think Nick'll buy you two Barbies and not just one?"

    Lenore looked at him as though he'd two heads.

    "Nick's getting me Midge. Brian promised me the one whose hair can be sprayed blue."

    Kevin chuckled and ruffled her hair. "I think we're going to spoil you rotten Kiddo."

    Lenore beamed up at him. "Goodie."

    He smiled at her once more before going over to the stage for sound check.

    Lenore watched as all five Boys began to sing and dance. She loved to watch them and wished she could join them on stage. But, she knew it probably wouldn't be allowed.  After watching about half the sound check, she began to play with her Barbies.

    Soon the Boys finished the sound check and disappeared backstage to check on their costumes quick. They'd left Lenore sitting out in the front row of the audience with her Barbies, as they wouldn't be that long.

    Lenore saw them leave, then snuck up onto the stage and grabbed one of the  microphones. She turned it on and began to sing and dance, pretending there were people in the audience.

    The Boys heard someone singing and had headed back towards the stage and were surprised to find Lenore on the stage performing for security. They couldn't help but smile as they watched her, as she seemed to be making the security guards day a bit brighter than before. The Boys listened to her finish the song she'd been singing, then saw her head over to the keyboards.

    That was when Nick decided to step in and interrupt her little show.

    "Lenore," he called. "Don't touch the keyboard."

    She turned to look at him. "But I wanna play."

    "The instruments aren't toys," Nick scolded slightly, going over and grabbing her hand. "You should know that by now."

    "But I can play!" She insisted.

    "I told you, they're not your toys. Now, c'mon."

    Lenore looked sad as he practically dragged her off the stage after putting the microphone back where it belonged.

    Once Nick had retrieved Lenore, they all headed out to get some supper. After supper they headed back to the arena to get ready for that night's show. While the Boys were getting ready, Lenore snuck back out onto the stage. Luckily for her no fans had been let in yet, so no one but security would see her.

    As soon as she'd made sure no one was watching, Lenore darted over to the keyboard as fast as she could. She wanted to show Nick what she had meant earlier. She'd just climbed up onto the stool when someone walked out and caught her.

    "Freeze!" Nick shouted.

    Lenore froze, her hands in mid-air.

    "About face!"

    She slowly turned around to look at her big brother. She made sure to keep her hands in the air as well.

    "What do you think you're doing?" He demanded as he made his way over to where she was. "I told you earlier you're not to touch the instruments."

    She looked at him. "I play Nick. I wanna play."

    Nick gave her a dirty look, picked her up, and carried her to their dressing room backstage. He entered knowing the other guys were in make-up, and set her down on the couch.

    "You're to stay here until the show's over," he informed her. "I was going to let you watch us from backstage, but since you insist on playing with things you've been told not to touch, you're to stay here instead."

    Lenore looked at him as her eyes began to water.

    "But Nick!" She cried. "I can play! I can!"

    Brian poked his head in then. "Frack, we gotta get on stage. You coming?"

    "Yeah, I'm coming," Nick answered.

    Brian walked in when he spotted Lenore.

    "Are you coming to watch us Kiddo?" He asked.

    He watched as she shook her head sadly.

    "Why not?"

    "Because she won't leave the keyboard alone," Nick responded. "We can't have her playing with it Frick. You know it, I know it, and she knows it."

    Brian gave her a soft smile and ruffled her hair. "I'll still sing for yah Kiddo. Okay?"

    Lenore nodded, wishing she could go watch them. She couldn't understand why Nick didn't understand her wanting to play with the keyboard.

    "Kay," she whispered softly.

    The two Boys left then to go perform. During the show Lenore snuck out of the dressing room to watch. While watching she hoped no one spotted her, as she didn't want to make Nick mad again. She ran back to the dressing room just before the Boys came back to change their costumes. Eventually the show was over and they all headed back to the Hotel for the night.