"Nathan thank you for stopping by but I need to get to work, I have to work on the girls routines." I told him gathering my gym bag and running around my town home.

"Are we still on for dinner tonight, it's Sarah's birthday." Sarah is Nathan's fiance.

"Oh shoot, that's today? Sorry big brother I have plans."

"No you don't. You don't date, all you do is work and work out."

"Well, maybe I do have a date."

"Whatever, I'll pick you up at eight-thirty, that gives you time to shower and whatever after your last class you teach."

"Right." I said throwing my gym bag over my shoulder, I grabbed a couple water bottles from the fridge.

"Aren't you going to eat anything today?" I shot him a look and took an apple from the fridge.

"Bye." I said, pecking his cheek and left my house and got into my car. I drove the fifteen minute ride to the gym that I now half owned. I was in charge of team levels five, six and seven as well as most of the recreation levels. I put the windows down in my car, opened my sun roof and hit play on my new favorite CD by Katie Voegele.

"I never feared the unexpected
'Till I found myself in this peculiar place
Unaware of where I was headed
Turns out it was your footsteps I had chased

Well I should know so much better than this
But you've occupied the center of my universe

I'm moving in reverse
Under your mighty curse
I hate myself for loving you
I turn my head away
But my heart will remain
'Till the day I learn you're No Good for me

It's illogical and it's outrageous
The way I let you keep me hangin' on
Your character is that contagious
I know I should have thought before I had done
I've gone and let my impulse be my guide
And on that note I'll be defenseless for some time

I'm moving in reverse
Under your mighty curse
I hate myself for loving you
I turn my head away
But my heart will remain
'Till the day I learn you're No Good for me

Hey you there keep your distance
Don't you come around here
Don't test my patience baby
'Cause I aint gonna let you off easy

I'm moving in reverse
Under your mighty curse
I hate myself for loving you
I turn my head away
But my heart will remain
'Till the day I learn you're No Good
'Till the day I learn you're No Good
'Till the day I learn you're No Good for me

You're No Good, you're No good, you're No Good, you're No Good for me
You're No Good, you're No good, you're No Good for me

Ooh you're No Good
Ooh you're No Good
No Good for me." I sang along.

I got to the gym at noon, turned the lights on, listened to the messages on the phone and then went out to the floor, put in a CD and began making up a routine for one of my level sevens.

After an hour of working on it, I went into the office to work on the website and do other paper work. Classes would be starting in about two hours. I went online and checked my email first and saw I had one from Brian. It had been a few months since I got an email or call from Brian and hadn't seen him since Nick and I broke up, that was almost two years ago. I opened it up and began reading it.

Hey there Hails,

How are you doing hon? It's been too long since we've last talked and we actually haven't spoken to each other. You told me you needed the space you went on the plane but I think two years is plenty of space. I write you this email in hopes you will write back. I miss my best girl and everything is just not the same any more.

We are actually putting together a new album, although its coming a long slowly. Kevin is going to do a few songs with us, so that's nice. We have small hopes that he'll just join the group again.

Last I heard about you was from when Katie came up to see you about a year ago. I've been so worried. When she told me her and your brother had to take you in to be admitted for your eating disorder, it didn't sound good.'

I took a moment and ran my fingers through my hair before continuing to read anymore. My mind flashed back to a year ago.

"Hailey, we love you and you are killing yourself. You need to get help." Katie told me looking down at me, I sat on the couch. "You're sick and you don't even see it."

"I don't care."

"Well, I do and so does your brother, or he wouldn't have called me from New York to get my ass here fast."

"It's been a year, why can't the pain just go away?" I began to get upset and the too familiar tears threatened to fall.

"Because you were in love and you still are in love. It's going to take time and that's fine. But starving yourself isn't going to bring him back. You need to take care of yourself and move on."

"Let us just take you to your doctor and check you out," Nathan said leaning against the wall. "You've been to weak to do anything lately, you had to quit your job at the hospital. Hailey you're dying."

"Just to the doctor?" I asked. Nathan and Katie exchanged glances but Katie spoke up and said 'yes.' "Alright," I gave in and struggled to stand. Nathan came to my side and picked me up in his arms and brought me out to his car. I lay in the back seat and closed my eyes for the silent ride to the doctors office. When the car came to a stop, I sat up a little and Nathan opened my door. He helped me stand and I read the sign at the front of the building.

"Greensville Treatment of Eating Disorders," I said to myself. "You LIED to me!" I screamed and backed into the car.

"It's for your own good, Hailey please." Nathan tried to reason with me and held onto my arm and Katie held my other one. Two doctors had come down the ramp with a wheel chair.

"Please, Katie don't do this," I looked at her with tears streaming down my face.

"It's going to be okay," she smiled trying to keep back her own tears. I was too weak to resist them any longer and I was pushed into the wheel chair and away from Nathan and Katie.

I shook my head riding the memory and looked back at my computer screen.

'I wanted to come see you, and I called your brother but he said it would be best not to come. I heard you got out though and are doing much better. My prayers and love is always with you, I hope you know that.

I would really like to meet up with you and catch up. I'm still in Georgia right now, Bailey is getting so big, you should see him. Leigh and I are actually trying to work things out, we haven't been able to move on since the divorce but I don't know. Things happen for a reason, so maybe we're not meant to be? I understand why you've been the way you've been. You want to shut out all the pain and bad memories, but there are so many more good memories than bad.

The reason I'm writing to you is because we will be in South Carolina, Charleston tomorrow for a business meeting in early morning but I'd like to see you. Here is my cell number, (555-555-5555) please call me.

Love always,
B'

I hit the respond button but then hit discard and looked through my other email, with of course the thought of Brian and the guys on the back of my mind.
_________________
The next day I was at work late working on another routine. I had to get them done in two weeks so the girls could start practicing and putting their new skills into them. I was going through the routine trying different leap passes and turns. At the end of the song I put in a pose I thought I would fit, and when the music stopped; I was startled by clapping.

"Bravo," came a familiar voice and a figure came out to the floor.

"Brian?" I stood up from the ground and walked over to him. For some reason I had butterflies in my stomach and he wrapped his arms around me. My body stiffened a little and I hugged him back.

"I had to see you, I called your brother and he gave me directions here. He said you'd be here or at the gym."

"Yeah, I'm sorry I didn't call. I just, I'm trying to get these routines done."

"You looked good, you look great." He smiled.

"You too."

"Can I take you out for dinner?"

"Umm-"

"I won't take no for an answer."

"Alright, let me just get my things."

"Sure thing."

~*~*~Brian's Point Of View~*~*~
When I got to the gym, I was wondering whether or not she would be upset or happy to see me there. But I couldn't be this close and not having anything to do with her. I walked into the double doors and saw she was on the large blue floor, worrying on different dance moves. It was hard to believe just two years ago she couldn't walk, and that she's had three knee surgeries and heart surgery.

Her hair was cut short and framed her petite face nicely and it was darker than when I last saw her. Her body was a lot smaller than when I last saw her as well, but if she was out of the treatment center she must be doing better. Still it scared me to see her that small. As I got closer, I saw she was wearing more eye make up than she used to, but it didn't look bad. She actually looked quite striking. Her skin was tanned but it usually always was.

"All set," she interrupted my thoughts and came out with a black gym bag over her shoulder. "What are you in the mood for?" She asked and flashed a smile.

"Burger or something?"

"There is a diner right around the corner that is good, follow me?"

"Sure thing." She got into her white G6 and started it, I heard music blasting from it from some girl I didn't know. I got into my rental Jeep and followed her down the road a short ways and we parked into the 'Greensville Diner.' I got out and walked up to her, she put a purse over her shoulder and we walked inside.

"For two?" A waitress asked.

"Please," she said politely and we were taken into the back to a booth. "Thank you," she said and we were handed two menus.

I opened mine up and began looking through it.

"Aren't you going to look?" I asked her.

"I know what I'm getting." She smiled. I finally decided on just a cheese burger and set the menu down.

"So, I am sorry for just dropping in on you."

"I'm glad you did. How was the business stuff."

"Good, we just had to go over some stuff for the new album. We're here for the weekend."

"Damn it is Friday already isn't it?" I laughed. "Well, you'll love it there. It's absolutely gorgeous."

"So, I've noticed."

"Are you two all set to order?" A waitress asked.

"Yes, could I have a water with lemon, and your turkey wrap on sun-dried tomato, without the dressing please."

"Sure thing, and for you sir?"

"I'll have a water took with a cheese burger, medium."

"Fries?"

"Please."

"Okay, thank you. It will be right out," she took the menus and left.

"You look kind of surprised that I ordered," Hailey let out a light laugh.

"I've just been worried," I said sincerely.

"I've been doing well. Some days are harder than others but I'm doing a lot better."

"You look great by the way again."

"Yeah, for a while I didn't. I was down to eighty pounds..."her voice traveled off. "But now I'm one-ten and okay with that." She smiled.

"You could still use a few more on you," I winked.

"Yeah they want me at least at one-twenty. Right now that's a really high goal that's really hard. But one day at a time."

"So you working at the gym a lot?"

"Yeah, I now own pretty much half of it. I run some work out classes where I work out in the mornings. I just started that because i was just allowed to work out now."

"You look happy."

"Doing the best I can," I couldn't help but notice the tone of sadness in her voice, although she smiled brightly. "How about you, are you happy?"

"Doing the best I can, " I replied. The waitress brought our drinks out and I thanked her. I watched as Hailey squeezed her lemon into the water and dropped it in, stirring it with a straw. Her once bubbly personality wasn't there, she seemed a lot more calm with everything she did and years of pain clouded her blue eyes. They now looked grey.

"How is everyone?"

"Great, you know Katie and Howie are engaged?"

"No way?!" She asked excitedly.

"Yeah, he proposed two months ago. A.J. is still with Trish, we're thinking he'll propose to her soon."

"That's awesome. And Kevin."

"Kevin's wife, Kristen is pregnant with number two. It's a boy."

"Wow, good for them," she took a sip of her water and licked her lips. I knew what she was thinking and I didn't know if I should bring it up. "And Nick?" she finally asked.

I took in a breath and let it out thinking of what to say. Do I tell her the truth? I decided not to.

"He's doing well,helping Aaron with another album as well. His family has gotten a lot closer since they did that reality show."

"Yeah I watched an episode once..." her voice trailed off. Our foods were placed in front of us and we were both pleased to escape the awkwardness.

"Do you work tomorrow?"

"No, Saturday and Sundays I don't work at the gym unless there is a meet. And our meet season isn't until November."

"Would you like to come to Charleston and do tourists stuff?" She looked at me for a minute and I realized what she was thinking. "He won't be there, but Katie, Howie, A.J and Trish will be there."

"I don't know B," she took a bite of her wrap. It felt good to hear her call me B.

"Who knows when we'll see each other again." She bit the corner of her lip, and I couldn't help how sexy she looked.

"Alright. Where are you guys staying?"

"That hotel right by the Battery Park," I said and stuck a french fry in my mouth.

"You know that place is haunted right," she raised an eye brow.

"Sweet! I have an idea, you should come back with me, spend the night and we'll spend all day there and I'll bring you back tomorrow night. We leave Sunday afternoon." I watched as she thought about it. She definitely wasn't the same Hailey, the old Hailey would've jumped on the chance for a big group sleep over.

"What the hell," she smiled.

"That's my girl," I said and continued to eat. She ate half of her wrap and brought the other half back home with her. I followed her to her townhouse. It was in the nice part of South Carolina and when we went inside I looked around her place.

"Make yourself at home, I'm just going to pack a bag," she told me.

"You have a very nice place," I told her.

"Thanks," she smiled and headed up the stairs. I continued to look around and saw some pictures of her and her brother, pictures of her team girls winning meets, a picture of her and Katie was on an end table. About five minutes later, she came bounding down the steps with a bag.

"This isn't a trick like you did to me that one time, when we did that video is it?" She asked grabbing a water bottle out of the fridge and offering me one.

"No thanks, and no, no trick. You won't even see him. He doesn't usually come out of his room when we're away." She gave me a look of questioning but brushed it off to the side.

"Alright, all set." She said. I headed for the front door and she followed, locking her door. I just prayed she wouldn't see Nick, like Hailey, Nick had changed and it wasn't for the better.

Hailey's POV

"You nervous?" Brian asked me, I continued to stare out the window as he drove the thirty minute drive to where his hotel was.

"Reason why I should be?" I asked nervously.

"Because you're going to see your best friend you haven't seen in a while and there is always that chance you will see Nick."

"It's all in the past...right?"

"Right," Brian said, not sure what else to say. He pulled the car up to the hotel and into a parking spot. I took my bag from in front of my feet and stepped out of the car. I followed Brian into the hotel and to the elevator. We were both quiet until we reached his floor.

"Relax, we're going to have a good time." Brian opened his door and I walked inside. "Make yourself at home and I'll have everyone come in here so we can chill and catch up a little." I nodded my head,setting my bag on the bed. I sat on the bed, tucked one leg underneath me and waited.

Just as I got comfortable A.J. ran into the room.

"HAILEY BABY!" he yelled and picked me up, swung me around and then set me back on my feet. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Hey Alex, how are you?" I squeezed him tight and let go.

"I'm doing great, I'm so glad you're here! Brian said he was going to try to get your ass here to spend some time with us, I honestly didn't think you would. But hey, what do I know?"

"That is very true," I responded.

"Your hair looks great, I love the cut!" He added. "Trish don't you love the cut?"

"I do, makes you look sexy," she responded and gave me a hug.

"I think it makes you look sophisticated as well," Howie's voice entered the room.

"D!" I yelled and gave him a hug. Seeing everyone again was great I had to admit.

"Kay, get your butt in here," Howie said and Katie walked into the room further and slowly. We stood in front of each other, both not sure what to say or who should speak first.

"Oh, hell with it, it's good to see you," I said and pulled her in for a hug. She held back a little and then gave in, hugging back.

"God Hails, I've missed you. Hailey, I'm sorry for the last time, there just wasn't anything left-"

"You did it for my own good, and I probably wouldn't be alive. Thank you," I told her with a smile.

The group of us continued to talk and catch up with one another for the next two hours and at midnight we decided it would be best to hit the bed, since we'd have a long day together tomorrow.

"See, that wasn't so bad," Brian told me brushing his teeth.

"No, it was nice." I looked through my bag to find my pajamas. Brian went back into the bathroom and came back out.

"Bathroom all yours," he said and hopped into bed.

"Thanks," I took my pajamas and my bag that had my face wash, tooth brush and all that good stuff. Five minutes later I came out, wearing a satin pair of pink boxers and and a matching top.

I couldn't help but notice the way Brian was staring at me.

"You're making me blush B, stop," I joked and sat on the edge of the bed.

"I can go sleep on the couch so you can have the bed."

"We've shared before Brian, I think I can handle one more night." I climbed in under the covers. Brian reached up and turned off the light.

"I'm really glad you're here," he rolled over onto his side. I rolled and faced him.

"Me too. Hey Bri?"

"Hmm?"

"Does Nick know, well that I'm here?" I heard Brian let out a long sigh and then he finally spoke.

"He was around when I told everyone I was going to go see you and try to get you to come out. He didn't acknowledge me however and I doubt if he's even in the hotel tonight."

"Where would he be?"

"At a bar, the beach, out walking somewhere."

"He's not well?"

"I don't want you worrying about Hails, he's an adult, he needs to just get this out of his system."

"How long has been like this?"

"I don't think you need to know this."

"Brian how long?"

"Since you two broke up." I was silent and was once again speechless. "I honestly don't know how we're still a group."

"I didn't realize things were so bad. Brian I'm sorry."

"Shh, things are a lot better than they were about a year ago but there are still hard times. The only time Nick opens his mouth though is when he's singing." I remained silent. "Look, you shouldn't have to know about any of this, I know you're doing everything to move on."

"Let's just get some sleep, we're going for breakfast at eight?"

"Yeah what time do you usually get up?"

"I'll be up at six, my internal clock will go off for my run."

"Well, do not wake me." Brian laughed. "Goodnight, Hails," he kissed my cheek and rolled over.

"Goodnight Brian."

~*~*~*~*~*~

The next day I was woken up to the sun coming through the shades of the hotel room. I looked over to the red glowing clock, it read 5:47. I quietly pulled the sheets down form me, and covered Brian back up. I then took my bag into the bathroom to brush my teeth and get dressed to go for my run. I put on a pair of legging pants, a tank to and tied a light sweat shirt around my waist. After getting ready, I took the room key from the table, wrote Brian a note saying I would be back by 7:30 to shower and meet everyone for breakfast.

Quietly, I exited the room and made my way to the elevator where I went through the lobby and stepped outside. It was already in the low sixty's and the sun was shining brightly. Having lived in South Carolina all my life, I was familiar with Charleston because it was one of my favorite places to be in the state. I decided to begin running towards the water and would make my run a short one since we'd be walking all day.

I was still unsure about being with everyone, a part of me wanted nothing to do with them. They had all been such a big part of my life, but a long with the great memories, there are a lot of painful ones. The good memories were almost more painful than the bad times. I found my pace had picked up and Pink's song, "Who Knew" came through my ear buddies from my ipod.

After running for almost an hour, I was about to head back to the hotel when I saw someone slip on some rocks and down into the creek that lead into the ocean. I immediately headed for the fallen person, taking my ear buddies out and hanging them over my neck I carefully went down the ledge.

"Hey are you alright?" I asked the man who had slipped and went closer to him.

"I think I'm alright," he replied and looked up at me. I almost slipped myself when I saw who it was.

"Nick-" I whispered, mouth gaping.

"Hailey?" He asked and now sat up.

"I-I was running and saw you fall." Nick continued to just stare at me.

"Well, I'm fine, thanks." I watched as he struggled to stand and he let out the f-bomb.

"You sure?" I asked.

"Yes," he snapped and attempted to climb up the hill and I noticed he was hopping on one foot.

"Let me help you," I inched closer to him.

"I don't need help," he now continued to climb the hill on his knees and I rolled my eyes at his stubbornness. It was almost amusing me and I placed my hands on my hips and raised my eye brow as he made it to the top. "See," he said as a matter-of-fact.

"Uh huh, now start walking," I said as he stood up. He took a step forward and winced in pain.

"Okay, so I may have twisted my ankle a little. But I'll be fine, you can go back to your run."

"Stop being stubborn, let me help you back to the hotel, its a ten minute walk from here." I walked up to him, feeling the butterflies start to swarm in my stomach. He let out a sigh, looked out into the ocean and then nodded his head. I put his arm around my neck and we slowly headed towards the hotel.

"So, Brian went and talked you into coming here huh?" he asked limping.

"Yeah, we're going to the beach and hang around here and do some tourists stuff." I couldn't believe I was actually there with Nick, non-the-less having his arm around me.

There was a good five minute awkward pause between the two of us and Nick spoke up again.

"You cut your hair," no way genius what was your first clue.

"You've let yours grow," I said stating the obvious.

"Short suits you."

"Thanks."

"Hails I-"

"Nick don't. You don't have to." I stopped him from saying anything else. Just hearing him call me 'Hails' hurt. We got up to the hotel and walked up to the elevator. "What floor?"

"Fifth, same as Brian's." I nodded and hit the button and Nick leaned against the wall. He looked good, the longer hair definitely was sexier, however his eyes weren't the same. They weren't as blue, almost as a grey. His usually tanned skin was pale and his face was thinner. However, it looked as though he had a bit of a beer belly. What the hell was I talking about, he looked amazing still. His eyes caught me looking at him and I looked away. The elevator opened and I helped him out.

"There you are! It's almost-Nick!" Alex realized we were together.

"I was out running and um, I saw him slip, he hurt his ankle. I'm going to go shower," I took Nick's arm off from my shoulder and walked briskly towards Brian's room.

"What the hell happened?" Alex asked Nick.

"Doesn't matter," Nick said and limped to his room, leaving Alex confused.

~*~*~*~
"No, I asked him if he wanted to come spend the day with us, looks like actually hurt his ankle." Howie was explaining to everyone as I had just come down and joined them for breakfast in the diner. As I sat down at the table everyone was quiet and exchanged glances.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing, we were just waiting for you to come down before we went up to the buffet," Brian smiled.

"Well, I'm here lets go eat."

"Right," Brian said and stood up. I followed along with everyone else and we walked up to the long table. Buffets weren't really my style, I found them disturbing and were just an excuse to let people eat more than they needed. But then again, it was easier to go just go pick what you wanted rather than order something you think you might like.

I took a plate at the beginning and walked through. I put two scoops of a fruit salad on my plate and took a whole wheat bagel. I grabbed a glass of orange juice and headed back to the table. I was the first one back and waited while the others joined.

I couldn't help but notice the looks I got when they looked on my plate.

"I usually just eat a light breakfast," I shrugged trying to ignore the fact they all knew about how I was just recently hospitalized for being anorexic. It actually made me not want to eat all.

"Relax, no one is thinking what you're thinking," Brian tried to reassure me. I nodded my head and pushed around the fruit with my fork before putting a piece of melon into my mouth.

"So, how was it seeing Nick today?" Katie asked quiet enough that no one else heard.

"Weird," I replied.

"That's understandable, but very big of you to help him."

"Well, I didn't know it was Nick at first but I probably would've done the same anyway if it had been."

"You would've, that's just the type of person you were, I mean are." When Katie slipped and said were, it hit a nerve in me. I suddenly felt overwhelmed and claustrophobic.

"Excuse me," I said politely and stood up. I headed out into the lobby and went out the main doors to get some fresh air. "What am I doing here?" I asked myself and leaned against the historic building.

"Spending some much needed time with some old friends," Brian's voice broke through.

"Brian, I know you meant well and all but I just don't feel as though I'm supposed to be here. This isn't my circle of friends any more."

"You're wrong Hails. Everyone back there cares deeply for you and whether he or not he chooses to show it, so does Nick. That will never change. If I can remember correctly, non of us shut you out...you pushed away." Brian squinted towards the sun.

"I had no other choice."

"But we all tried, okay well maybe not Nick but the rest of us did. And even after Katie came to see you after you were in the hospital and you told her you never wanted to speak to her again, she still tried."

"Alright so I'm this horrible person now and obviously not the same. You guys want to hang out with the person I used to be, I'm not that girl any more Brian. I am not weak and this opened up book you can read. I'm not the Hailey James I once was."
As I went to turn away Brian took my shoulders and pinned me against the wall.

"So, we all change. We're always changing into the person we're going to become, every day we go through things to become stronger and be that person. But that does not change your heart, YOU control your heart."

"Well, maybe that heart is too damaged and there is no fixing it." I looked away from Brian because there was more to that than the obvious. Brian let out a sigh and released my shoulders.

"I know you've been through a lot, but you're still in there Hailey and I'm not going to just let you walk away. Don't walk away, spend the day with us."

"Just the day?"

"Yes."

"You better go check on him and make sure he's icing his ankle...oh and maybe put a wrap around it to keep the swelling down."

"You still care," Brian said smugly.

"I was a nurse for a bit," I shrugged my shoulders.

"I'll go check on him, you go back in and eat some of your breakfast."

"I'm not hungry, I'll wait out here." Brian paused and looked at me as though he waned to say something but he kept it ack.

"Alright.

~*~*~*Nick's POV*~*~*~
I was lying on my bed thinking of the the mornings events, I had been up since four this morning and probably wouldn't be sleeping any time soon. The whole thing seemed surreal and couldn't get the image of Hailey rushing to see if I was okay.

"She didn't know it was you Carter, get it out of your head," I told myself and and heard a knock on my door. I rolled out of the bed and hopped on one foot to answer it.

"What do you want?" I asked opening the door.

"Came to give you this," Brian handed me an ice pack. "Sit on your bed." I hopped back over and sat down.

"That bad huh Nick?" Brian asked kneeling down.

"No, I'm fine. Aren't you supposed to be going out for the day?"

"Well, Hailey wanted to be sure I wrapped your ankle up to keep the swelling down, but it looks like it's already there." I placed the ice pack on the right side of his left ankle and wrapped an ace bandage around it. Hailey asked him to do that? It's been two years and despite it all she was still thoughtful.

"Oh," was all I could reply.

"I think maybe you two should talk at some point." Brian finished wrapping my foot and stood up.

"Why, you and I don't even talk."

"Nick YOU don't talk so don't give me any of that. You two really are a piece of work though I'll tell you that. Both so stubborn and both so..." his voice trailed off.

"So what?"

"Nothing. Look I'm going to go, we're going to go to the beach I think around one if you want to come. And I don't know why you wouldn't because you love the beach."

"Yeah we'll see."

"See you at one Nick," Brian shook his head and walked out of the room.

Our morning and lunch was spend inside the heart of the Charleston, we walked through the market for a good two hours. There is always new stuff being made under the wicker, cloth long houses. People selling pictures taken of Rainbow Row, the Battery Park, hurricanes and Fort Sumter. Bags of sea-shells put together or bottled sand. Home-made soups, weaved baskets and shelled necklaces. Anything you would want if you were a tourist, this market was for you.

We had a sea food lunch at Folly Pelican since we'd be spending the majority of the already scorching summer day at Folly beach. This beach is where most of the surfers come to catch decent sized waves.

It was about 1:30 when we chose are spot on the crowded white sand and began to lather on the sun lotion.

"Hey I'll be right back," Brian said putting his sun glasses on and took off in the direction we had came in.

"I can't believe you had us buy bogey boards Hails,aren't these for kids?" Katie asked me examining her board.

"They're a lot of fun trust me."

"Oh, I am going to like this!" Alex yelled and handed Trish the bottle of lotion to get his back. I took my tank top off and put it in my bag, leaving on my board shorts. I figured it would be easier to keep my suit on under my clothes.

"Let's go!" I stood up, took my board and started walking towards the water.

"I'm going to catch some sun first," Howie lay on his towel.

"You're no fun," Katie remarked and walked with her board towards me. Trish and Alex followed and we went into the warm waters.

"Look who I found," Brian said. Howie held up a hand to his eyes to see who Brian did find.

"Ahh, couldn't resist the beach could you Nicky? Or perhaps resist someone else."

"Shut it Howie." Nick put his bag into the sand and sat down.

"Where did everyone go?" Brian asked.

"Body boarding or whatever." Howie threw his hand towards the water. Brian and Nick both watched as I ran into the water holding the board.

"How the hell did you get her to go in the water?" Nick asked.

"Who, Hailey?"

"Yeah," Nick kept his eyes out on the water.

"I don't know, it was her idea for the boards though."

"Hmm," was all Nick had to reply.

"You want to come out?" Brian asked taking his shirt off.

"I don't know, I may sit for a while, my ankle and all."

"Maybe we should get that checked out?"

"Nah."

"What are you thinking?" Brian was putting on some sun screen now. "I know it's about her, you haven't taken your eyes off." There was a brief pause and then Nick answered.

"Bri, is she healthy? Like okay?"

"Maybe that's something you'll want to ask her."

"Just tell me, she looks too thin still."

"Nick, she's still recovering. I tried to tell you all about it but you never wanted to hear."

"I was afraid," Nick spoke softly. That was the first time Nick had opened up anything about his feelings for Hailey since he broke up with her. "I didn't want to know because she was killing herself because of me."

"Nick you're not the soul purpose. You know it went much deeper than that and it was something, it is something she's struggled with years before she met you."

"She was doing a lot better and I did just over react that day," that day being Nick's birthday. "How low was her weight?"

"Katie said she was just above eighty pounds, she looked like a skeleton I guess." Nick ran his hands through his hair. "So she looks really healthy now and is doing almost a hundred percent better with it."

"Hey guys come in the..." I had jogged up the beach to tell Howie and Brian to get their butts in the water but saw Nick sitting down and my voice trailed off. "Water."

"On my way," Brian stood up. "Howie coming?" When there was no answer Brian laughed. "He must be asleep. Nick you coming?"

"I um, my ankle."

"Oh suck it up, Hailey take a look at it and tell him he's fine." Brian grabbed a board and ran down the beach. There was another one of our awkward pauses but then I knelt into the sand and unwrapped his ace bandage.

"You don't have to do this, Hailey." My heart skipped a beat when he said my name.

"It's alright." I picked his foot up and began turning it different directions, looking at Nick's face to see if I could tell where the pain was. "It's actually not too swollen but here where it's black and blue already, this is the typical spot for a sprain. I think you'll be alright if you go in the water." I winked at him and set his foot down gently.

"Since when are you a fan of the water?"

"Since about a year ago." I stood up and reached my hand out towards Nick to help him up. Hesitating at first but Nick took my hand, butterflies began to fill my stomach again and he stood up. "Let's go," I smiled and we walked down the beach.

*Nick's POV*

I couldn't keep my eyes of Hailey as we headed into the water. Her board shorts were rolled over, showing off a a new tattoo on her hip bone; it was a fairy curled up into a ball. I was about to ask her about it when I was tackled into the water.

"Good of you to join us Nick!" Brian had pulled me. I shot him a glare and stood up in warm shallow water. Hailey was now on her boogy board next to Katie trying to catch a wave.

"You want her," Alex said coming up to me. I shook my head and looked down at the water.

"We're done, we have been for almost two years now."

"But haven't moved on," Alex reminded me.

"Obviously I have if I'm with Sarah."

"Nick seriously you don't love her." I didn't say anything because I knew AJ was right. There was no reason not to love Sarah, she was beautiful, sweet, caring. She wasn't in it for the money and was always doing anything everything for me. Still, I couldn't figure out why it wasn't enough.

"Stop the girl talk and come play with us!" Trish came and interrupted our thoughts. I first went and swam up to her and the other girls.

"You really think he still loves Hails?" Brian asked.

"How can he not? Look at the way he looks at her and the kid has done nothing the last two years but be depressed. But she won't give him the time of day, which I can't blame her." Alex shrugged and swam up to Trish.

To hear Hailey laugh in the waves was like a gift from God I had been yearning through the two painful years. I knew that no matter how much I wanted things to be right between the two of us, it could never be and I kept my distance from her. We would exchange smiles to one another whenever one of us would catch the other steeling glances. I could feel the tension of both of us wanting to just catch up on one another, to hug and kiss...but on the other hand; I knew we both wanted to just yell out the pain we both had endured.

I'm the one who broke up with each other this time and this time around, neither had even attempted to reconcile. Being around her today though, despite the distance, it felt right still and this drove me crazy inside. I needed to get her alone at some point and talk.

She was about to catch the next wave into shore where I now was sitting because my ankle had been bothering me. I'd ask her to meet me later that night, just to talk. As the wave rolled her small body frame into shore, I had stood up to meet her and watched as she slipped off the board and went under. As Hailey stood up from the water, she fell back into the water and she grabbed her chest.

I was about to make my way to her but Brian had come out of no where and was helping her walk into the shore. Once again he was her Knight in Armor and who was I? I was the idiot who lost the best thing to ever happen in my life.

Ch. 7 Brian's POV

After spending a few hours at the beach, we decided to head back into Charleston where we could do some more site seeing and have dinner before going onto a Ghoast Tour. The day had gone by fairly well, I really wasn't sure how it would all be especially when Nick had decided to come.

"Do you think we'll see any Ghoast tonight?" Howie asked with Katie's fingers intertwined with his.

"If you're going to see them, it's going to be in the hotel where you're at D. We didn't have to sign up for a tour, I could've taken you around and said the exact same stuff." Hailey laughed.

"Yeah but this is more fun. I mean it's been so long since all of us hung out," Howie replied back.

"Too long," I said looking at Hailey and she bit the corner of her lip and looked down at the coblestoned ground and walked up to the pier we were one.

"Look Dolphins!" She called out. We followed her out and watched as the dolphins swam around the water. I watched as Nick went up to Hailey's side, his eyes never leaving the dolphins and then he spoke.

"They're amazing to watch huh?" Nick asked.

"Uh hmm," she agreed and she began to play with the rings on her finger. Something she did when she was nervous. Nick made her nervous or was it butterflies he was giving her?

"Hailey I was wondering something." Nick continued and now had his back against the wooden rail and looked at her. Hailey's eyes never left the water.

"Yes?" she asked.

"Meet me tonight when we get back."

"I don't know Nick?"

"Please, just to talk. I think we both owe it to each other for that." She reamained silent for a moment and let out a sigh.

"Nick-"

"Just a half hour."

"It's going to be eleven by the time we get back."

"Since when do you go to bed early?" Hailey smiled as Nick said this.

"A half hour. Now I just want to get through today without any problems."

"You got it, Hailey just one more thing."

"Yes?"

"You looked hot out in the water today, told you nothing to be afriad of," Nick rubbed her shoulder and walked away towards the other's leaving Hailey with a small grin on her face.

~*~*~*~That Night~*~*~*~ Hailey's POV
"That was sweet, now I hope we have some ghoasts come visit us tonight!" Alex said draping his arm over Trish's shoulder.

"Not in our room, I don't think so!" She defendend.

"You're dragging your feet there Hails, let's move."

"Sorry Bri, I'm just a little tired."

"Well, you can sleep back in the hotel tonight, it's already eleven and its a half hour drive to your place."

"Maybe, I'm supposed to talk to Nick tonight when we get back."

"You think that's a good idea?"

"I think it needs to be done B. You know maybe some real closure."

"Well, come find me after if you decide to take off." Brian's eyes were sincere and he gently lay his hand on my shoulder. "I want you to be careful with him okay?" I stopped walking and looked at Brian.

"Me be careful with him?"

"I just mean be careful when you're with him. Nick, he's not the same as you remember."

"He seemed fine today, besides the obvious akwardness between the two of us, which is to be expected."

"Today was the first day in a long time I've seen Nick be some-what normal. He can get a temper without much notice and it's a hell of a temper."

"Please, Nick wouldn't hurt a fly," I stated and began walking towards the hotel again.

"Be careful," was all Brian had to say as we reached the building. "See you later?"

"Of course, thank you for today," I pulled him into a hug and kissed his cheek. I said good-bye to the others and then followed Nick up to his room.

The walk was quiet, as was the elevator ride. Butterflies in my stomach began to multiply and my heart was racing as reached the door. I began to think about what Brian told me and realized that I really didn't know Nick any more.

"You coming in?" Nick asked holding his hotel door open for me.

"Uh, yeah sorry," I shook my head and stepped into Nick's room.

"I'm just going to go change out of these clothes, make yourself comfortable," he disappeared into the bathroom and I took a seat on his bed. I sat back further on the bed and my hand rested on a hard surface. I pulled back the comforter and brought my hand to my mouth and picked up the book.

I slowly began to flip through the pages, running my hands across the pictures that caused memories to flood my mind.

"I, Hailey I didn't mean to leave that out," Nick's voice made me jump.

"Why do you have this?" I asked not taking my eyes off of the scrap book. I was looking at picture of Nick and I taken from a concert, he held me up in the lift we worked hard on for 'Beautiful Women.'

"I couldn't seem to get rid of it," he shrugged and sat down on the bed next to me.

"But why is it with you right now? Why not in a closet back home or under your bed." I closed the book to shut out the memories, it hurt to miss them.

"It just helps for the days I'm lonely I guess," he brought his leg up an set it on the bed.

"How's the ankle?"

"Feels I've been walking on a sprain all day, just great."

"I'll get you some ice," I stood up, went into his bathroom and got his ice bucket. I walked out of his room, in desperate need of air all of a sudden. I leaned against the wall for a moment waiting for my heart to slow down and I closed my eyes.

"Hailey are you alright?" I jumped at Brian's voice and stood up straight.

"I'm fine, just getting Nick some ice," I held up the bucket and walked to the machine.

"Hails you look upset," Brain followed me.

"Brian, I will come to you when I'm done. Go relax."

"I'm getting some ice myself." He held up his bucket and I filled mine up half way.

"I will talk to you later Brian." I winked and went back to Nick's room. He was on the phone and I went into the bathroom to get a towel.

"I know babe, I want to see you soon...I don't know I may be here an extra couple of days, we have some...I'm sorry...I have to go, I'll call you tomorrow...okay, you too...bye." Nick hung up the phone and I walked up to his bed and set the towel of ice n his ankle.

"Thanks," he said.

"Girlfriend?" I asked, referring to his phone call. He just nodded his head. I sat down on the edge of the bed, tucking a leg under me.

"Hailey, I never meant to hurt you I just wanted you to know this."

"And you know I only had best intentions for you Nick."

"But it just wasn't working." I didn't say anything back but look across the room. "Say something."

"What do you want me to say Nick? You broke up with me, during the time things were at their high point with us. Because I hadn't eaten my dinner on your birthday you broke up with me." Nick let out a sigh and ran a hand through his long hair.

"I couldn't keep doing that with you Hails, you needed more help than I could obviously give."

"I was fine though that night and had been for a while. I hadn't had dinner because I was too excited to be with you." My voice had now began to rise and I was sitting up straighter.

"But within two months Katie had to come help your brother put you into the hospital to get you to EAT!" Nick's voice was loud and he threw his hands up in the air towards me and I flinched. I saw Nick's face soften for a minute and almost sincere as he saw how he had scared me.

"BECAUSE I gave up in myself because YOU gave up in ME!" I was now standing and breathing hard. "I did NOTHING but LOVE you Nick and by being with you I learned how to become strong for myself and had a reason to live again."

"Maybe this was a bad idea," Nick now stood up. "

"No it was, I was too stupid to think we could just go an entire day without hurting each-ahh," my heart skipped a long beat and felt as a knife had gone through it. 'Not right now,' I said to myself as I had fallen to my knees, clenching my shirt.

"Always something wrong, asthma?" Nick asked simply getting closer to me.

"No," I stood up and closed my eyes feeling light headed. "Look, it looks like you're doing just fine. I only wish for the best for you and hope that you find the happiness you deserve Nick." I walked towards the door and stopped with my hand on the door knob.

"Hailey this isn't-"

"Isn't what Nick?" My voice was now a low whisper. "You had me come back to your room so we could talk? You just so happen to have our scrap book we made together on your bed and all we did was fight."

"I didn't want it to be this way."

"Well, it's how you chose it to be. Brian's right, you're not the person you used to be."

"Brian doesn't know @#%$! NO ONE DOES! GET THE HELL OUT!" Nick had picked up the scrap book and threw towards the door and I quickly opened the door and went out.

Without really thinking I found my way to Brian's. He opened the door after I had gently knocked.

"Hey how did it go?" He asked and as though I had been holding my breath, I fell into Brian's arms weak. I must been holding my breath because I began to breathe hard and the room was spinning. "Oh boy," Brian picked me up and brought me to his bed. I took in a few deep breaths and let them out slowly.

"Alright I'm fine, sorry I think I was holding my breath," I let out another long breath. Brian stroked my hair, lying on his side and he looked at me with such care. The way Nick used to look at me.

"What happened?"

"Just that you were right. Nick's not the man he used to be, no where did I see the guy I once fell in love with."

"I'm sorry, I was hoping that because he had a good day today he wouldn't act all Dr. Jackal and Mr. Hyde on you."

"I know he's always had a little temper but I've never seen it towards me. Not until tonight has Nick made me afraid of him..." My voice traveled off as I listened to my own words. "Brian he had our scrap book out, the one we had started to make on tour together."

"He had that out?"

"Does he usually have it or did he bring it because he knew he might see me?"

"No, he brings it every where, I don't know how his girlfriend hasn't seen it yet."

"Well, I'm done with him, I just can't believe how stupid I am for thinking we could at least be friends."

"You're not stupid, Nick is in this dark place and no one can help him. He needs to help himself." Just then there was a knock on the door and Brian kissed my forehead before standing up to answer it. 'I used to be able to help' I said to myself and sat up.

"WHO WANTS WINE!" Katie yelled coming in with Howie behind her. I laughed because it was clear that they had already been drinking.

"Pour me a glass!" I said going up to her.

"Thought you could use this, we heard Nick yelling." Howie gave me a hug and handed me a glass.

"Thanks. Brian you going to have any?" I asked.

"What the hell," he gave in and Howie poured him a glass.

"That's my guy," I winked and leaned into him.

"Let's get the party started!" Howie yelled.

"Oh honey, we're not in the early ninety's any more," Katie patted his shoulder and the four of us laughed.
*~*~*An Hour Later: Brian's POV*~*~*
"And Alex pulled down my pants on stage, I had my Dr. Seuss boxers on because my briefs needed to cleaned, Howie explained.

"It was hysterical and to make things better, that's how he proposed to me!" Katie finished her glass and poured another. We had already emptied one bottle and were almost done with our second.

"Don't you guys have pictures of that?" I asked.

"We do, I'll go them!" Katie stood up as did Hailey.

"I'll come," she giggled.

"Why are you laughing?" I asked amused.

"I don't know, I just haven't drank in almost two years!" She laughed again and followed Katie out of the room.

"Damn man you have the hots for her still!" Howie pointed out to me.

"Excuse me?"

"Hailey, you haven't seen her in over a year, you've dated here and there but you want her still."

"Can you blame me, she's beautiful in every way."

"She's not the same Bri,that spark about her that was so easy to see is gone. Don't get me wrong, she's still great, funny, smart and yes beautiful."

"But she's been through so much and she was in a hospital for almost a whole year. She doesn't trust people and she feels as though she's alone in the world."

"You love her."

"I do."

"So, act on it."

"And ruin our close friendship, the girl is clearly not over Nick and he keeps @#%$ with her mind."

"Nick had plenty of chances."

"He's still my brother."

"He hasn't been much of a brother to you the last month. You need to-"

"Okay we have pictures,more wine and some food!" Hailey's voice broke our conversation. I looked at Howie, my eyes pleading for him not to say anything. "Twizzler baby?" she asked me holding out a strawberry rope to my face. I grinned and took a bite.

"And where did we get this food darling?" Howie asked.

"The fridge," Katie started laughing.

"Great there goes five hundred bucks," Howie shook his head and opened a bag of peanuts.

"Oh stop, this is all good fun!" She defended and we began looking through a photo album. It was good to see Hailey laugh and let loose, the whole day she seemed uptight and now she was like her old bubbly self, with a little help of alcohol of course.

"Awe Brian, this is a picture of you, me and Bailey!" she cooed and sat on my lap. We had all sat on the couches in the suit room.

"He was so little then," I looked at the photo album. "Here look at this picture," I took my wallet out of my back pocket and showed her a picture of him.

"Look how handsome he his, just like his daddy!" Hailey's arm hung around my neck, her head resting on mine. We continued to look through pictures, catch up with one another, mostly with Hailey and her life. She had opened up a little about her time in the hospital. She admitted that as much as she hated it there and had resented Katie and her brother for making her go; it was the best thing she needed at that time. Four am rolled around and we decided it would be best to head to bed.

"Goodnight, we'll do brunch tomorrow okay?" Katie asked hugging Hailey.

"Yes, when I wake up at three pm," she laughed. After saying goodnight, I was picking up some of the mess when Hailey jumped on my back.

"What are you doing?" I laughed.

"Brian I'm so sorry for kicking you out of my life." I sat on the bed and she leaned back laying down.

"You did what you needed to do, besides I knew you'd be back." I said as a matter-of-fact.

"You did?"

"You play too big of a part in my life to be completely written out."

"I love you B," her eyes sparkled, her face full of sincerity." I couldn't help but reach my hand down and brush her cheek with my thumb. Her eyes slowly closed and a smile came on her face.

"You know I love you." She nodded and opened her eyes.

"I feel safe with you, come lay down and hold me."

"Let me get a pair of pajamas on."

"Just sleep in your boxers, I'll sleep in my underwear." She slid off her her teal shorts, threw them on the floor. She was wearing a pair of boy shorts that were extremely sexy. She left on her white tank top as she lay her head back on the pillow. I took my shirt off and my jeans, also leaving them on the floor and climbed next to her. Her hand reached up and ran her fingers gently over the scar on my chest. She bit her bottom lip, and I made myself roll on my stomach so she wouldn't notice my arousal.

"You okay?" I asked as I noticed a glimpse of sadness in her eyes.

"Yeah," she whispered and nodded her head rolling towards me.

"Hails, I can't lose you. You mean so much to me," I tucked back a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

"As you do to me," our faces were inches apart now and my heart was beating faster. Her fingers stroked my chest and caused goosebumps to form over my body.

"Hailey I-"

"Shh," she put a finger up to my lips and brought her soft bubble gum lips to mine.
_________________
*Hailey's POV*

I woke up to my head pounding and an arm wrapped around me. 'What the hell happened?' I asked myself and turned to face a sleeping Brian holding me. 'Charelston, wine, Katie, D, more wine, pictures, wine,I kissed Brian...clothes are still on, that's a good sign,' my head began going through a million thoughts at once.

"Good morning," Brian smiled as he opened his eyes.

"Morning," I let a half grin creep my face and sat up all the way.

"Where you going?"

"I should head back home."

"We're doing brunch with everyone today remember?"

"Oh, okay. Mind if I take a shower?"

"Mind if I join you?" he smirked. '@#%$ did we do more than kiss last night?' I asked myself again.

"Uh actually it's going to be really quick. Why don't you call everyone."

"Oh...alright." I gathered my things and quickly went into the bathroom. I turned on the shower to hot and looked into the mirror. "Brian is your best friend, what the hell do you think you're doing?" I took my clothes off and stepped into the steaming shower. I welcomed the hot water gratefully as I let it run down my body. "But the kiss was a great kiss, I do remember that about the night, and I guess there's always been something more than friendship between him and I." I washed my hair and after five more minutes I had washed my body and stepped out. I dried off and slipped on the same clothes I had wore yesterday and began to towel dry my hair.

When I went back out to the room, Brian was on his phone and looking through which clothes he wanted to wear.

"Alright see you guys in about fifteen." He hung up the phone and looked at me. "That was A.J. we're going to have breakfast across the street in a bit. You okay? You look a little pale." He came up to me and brushed my cheek with his thumb. The damn butterflies attacked my stomach again, but they were a different kind than when I got them when I saw Nick.

"I'm fine," I pulled away. "Why don't you go shower."

"Hails I think we should talk about last night."

"We will, just how about after brunch?"

"Alright." He sighed, I knew he wasn't happy with the answer but headed into the bathroom.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So, here we are," Brian said as he pulled into my driveway. I nodded my head and neither of us knew where to start.

"Bri."

"Hails." We both started in unison.

"Go ahead B," I smiled.

"I just wanted to talk about last night. You're one of my best friends and although I'll be first to admit I've been attracted you from the moment I saw you I just don't know if we could be anything more." I let out a small sigh in relief.

"I know exactly what you mean Brian, and despite this two year break from seeing you, we had grown very close."

"So close that I've fallen in love for you," as the words came out of Brian's mouth I did everything to keep from showing how shocked I was. Did I love Brian that way? I knew I was still in love with Nick. @#%$. I am in love with Nick but can I possibly be in love with two guys at the same time? With two best friends.

"I'm sorry Hails, I just, I needed to tell you." Brian broke my train of crazy thoughts.

"No, I'm glad you did tell me. I don't know what to say. I mean, I know I love you as a friend and maybe even more. I just haven't really thought about it ya know? I think now that we're back in contact with each other, we need to work on becoming close again and just see?" I questioned. Okay, so does that mean, we're together and its a trial thing, or just friends and whatever happens, happens? I'll go with B.

"That sounds good to me. I'm heading back tonight to Georgia and I'll give you a call tonight and we can plan something out. Maybe you can come fly out or I'll come back here."

"I'd like that. I want to see little B." Referring to Bailey.

"I'm glad you came out with us. It was like things never changed."

"Almost." I winked and gathered my bag. "I'll be seeing you Brian," I leaned over and kissed his cheek. He pulled me in for a hug and I got out of the car.

Ch.10

"Come on, you never come out with us any more! You used to love dancing." Emily whined, pacing my kitchen as I sat flipping through a magazine. "I'll start begging!" She then got on her knees and started making puppy dog noises.

"Oh, hell. Get off your knees. I'll go out."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, let me just go change and put some make up on."

"Ahh I LOVE you!" she pulled me and kissed my cheek. "I'm going to call Sarah and Jen." I grabbed my glass of water I was drinking and made my way up stairs. I looked in my closet and decided to wear a pair of dressy dress shorts that came right above my knees, a pair of black pumps and white halter top. I applied some eye make up, a small amount of bronzer and squirted Victoria's Secrets 'Heavenly' on me. Within ten minutes I went down stairs where Emily was.

"Let's do this." I grabbed my purse.

"I'll drive tonight. I want you to enjoy yourself!" I grabbed my keys and put them in my purse and went out and got into her black Celica. It was only about a twenty minute drive downtown where the best dancing bars were. It was only eleven and the bar we were going to was already packed.

"You guys made it!" Jen called out rushing up to us with drink in her hand. My guess it was cranberry-vodka.

"Let's get you two a drink!" Sarah said next to Jen and we went up to the bar.
~*~*~*~*~*~Nick's POV~*~*~*~*~*~
"I can't believe you decided to come with us," A.J. said for the hundredth time.

"And if you say that one more time, then I'm going to catch a cab back to the hotel and leave you here with Trish. I just figured I haven't really gone out in over a year and the girlfriend keeps bugging for me to take her out dancing. I should start preparing myself." We had went into the club called "BarFly" and apparently it was the hottest dance spot to go to in Charleston. I had decided to stay an extra few days as did A.J. and Tricia before we had to get back to work soon.

"Here is a coke for you," Trish handed A.J. his drink. "And here is your coke," she raised an eye brow at me.

"What?" I asked taking a sip.

"I don't get why you don't drink any more." I shrugged my shoulders and looked around the bar. Truth was I hadn't drank since my surprise birthday party. It had turned me into this person I didn't know. I lost Hailey because of it. A.J. patted my shoulder because he had known why I had I stopped drinking.

"Let's find Nicky here a girl to dance with." A.J. scanned the bar. "There, a group of girls at the bar. The one right there, nice booty and legs." Trish slapped his arm playfully. "Hey I can look for a friend."

"Who already has a girlfriend?"

"She's in a different state," A.J. defended. "Nothing wrong with mingling and dancing, right Nick?"

"Huh?" A.J broke me from my trance because the girl with the nice booty and legs, just so happened to be someone I had once known.

"You okay?"

"Take another look at that girl Alex." I shook my head.

"Oh shit, that's Hailey! Let's go say hi!" Before I could stop him he was gone with Trish and I slowly followed behind.

"And here is to us girls!" The brunette hair girl yelled holding up a shot glass and the three girls slammed them back as if it were there job. I saw A.J. slap Hailey's butt and as she turned around she was ready to start a fight but then saw who it was.

"What are you doing here?!" She threw her arms around him.

"Just checking out the hot spots," he replied. She gave Tricia a hug and then her eyes met mine.

"Hey there Nick!" she slapped my shoulder as if I were a long life pale and smiled. I nodded my head towards her and watched as she drank from her Labatt Lite beer.

"Okay we have to do a shot!" Trish yelled and then ordered four shots. "Nick you want one?"

"Nah." I leaned against the bar and took in the surroundings.

"Okay here is to us girls!" Trish lifted her shot and the four of them tilted their heads back and took their drink. Justin Timberlake's song, "Sexy Back" came blaring through the speakers and the two friends of Hailey squealed.

"On the dance floor!" one of them pulled on Hailey's arm and towards the dance floor. I couldn't help but notice the glance Hailey took at me before heading out. I watched as she danced with her friends and A.J. and Trish joined them. Damn could Haily still move. She didn't look slutty or as though she were trying too hard, her hips just knew where to go with the music.

I watched a guy had come up to her and placed his hands on her waist. She casually spun around and smiled at him. Before the poor guy had a chance, she had managed to get far enough away and continue to dance with herself. 'Smooth,' I said to myself.

"So are you going to stand there all night or go dance with that girl you've been drooling over for the past five minutes?" A women's voice broke my thoughts.

"Excuse me?" I looked next to me and a tall women with shoulder blonde hair had asked me.

"The girl over there turning guys down right to left, she's gotta be saving a dance you. You know her?"

"No...I don't know her."

"How about you and I go take a dance?" She asked drinking martini.

"Thanks but I have a girlfriend. I'm just here with some friends."

"Suit yourself." She shrugged and walked off.

"Nick, come dance with me!" Trish took my arm and pulled me out to the dance floor. We began to dance to 'Please Don't Stop the Music' and surprisingly I was enjoying myself. I saw A.J. dancing with Hailey and she now had a cranberry-vodka drink her hand. How she got another drink so fast was beyond me.

"It's possible for you two to be friends you know," Trish said into my ear, her arms around my neck.

"I really don't know if it is." It was the truth, we tried to talk and I just ended up blowing up on her.

"She misses you and she's obviously lonely or she wouldn't be drinking as much as she is."

"She's just having fun," my eyes looked over at her again.

"Jesus Nick just dance with her," Trish reached next to her and hit A.J.'s butt and spun herself towards him, while A.J. pushed Hailey into me.

"Well, hello there!" she grinned showing off her million dollar smile.

"Hey, having fun?" I asked and she now had her arms around my neck.

"Mmm hmm. I'm surprised you're here. I didn't think you were a club kind of guy."

"I'm here with those two,nothing else to do tonight." I caught a scent of her perfume and closed my eyes inhaling it.

"So Nick, am I allowed to say that you look hot tonight? I think I'm allowed, nothing wrong with that right? I mean we're just two people, dancing, and happen to used to date."

I couldn't help but laugh at her words knowing that she was already pretty tipsy. "Well, thank you Hails." She then smiled brightly again. "What's that smile for?"

"I feel happy right now, I don't know, just truly happy. I forgot what it felt like for a while." She then took her straw out of her cup and tilted the glass in her mouth; emptying the liquid into her throat. "I'm going to go get another. Can I get you something?"

"Let me buy you a drink," I smiled and she put her arm around my waist and without thinking I put mine around hers. We walked to the bar and I ordered her another drink. "I'm sorry for the other night, I didn't want our first real talk to be that way. I just seem to have a short fuse these days." She then put her finger up to my lips.

"Shh Carter. Don't ruin my happy moment." Her phone then rang and I noticed it was "One in a Million." I raised an eye brow at her. "So, it's my favorite song on that CD, Hello," she answered. "NATE, how are you? You will never guess who I am with here at BarFly!" she then handed me the phone and the bartender handed her the drink.

"Hey Nathan, it's Nick," I said into the phone and Hailey was sipping on her drink dancing in front of me.

"Carter?"

"Yeah, how are you?"

"I'm good. Where did my sister go?"

"Well, she's a little drunk right and just handed me the phone."

"She's drinking? How much?"

"Well, since I've been here, I've seen her have two shots and about four drinks. But I got here after her. We just sorta ran into each other. I'm in town for promotion stuff."

"She's not supposed to be drinking."

"What why?" I looked over towards her and she was almost done with her drink and was talking to her friends.

"She's on this medication and if she mixes alcohol it's just not going to be good."

"Medicine for what?" I walked towards Hailey and took her drink out of her hand.

"HEY!" She called out and reached towards me.

"Her heart. Look who is there with her tonight?"

"I have no idea, two girls."

"Okay maybe I'll just come and get her. Barfly she said?"

"Nate I'll look after her tonight. I'll have her give you a call in the morning."

"You don't have to do that."

"I need to."

"Alright, call me if you need anything."

"Sure thing." I hung up the phone and handed it to Hailey. "Hey let's get you home?"

"What? I've only been here for a couple hours. Bar is open for another two hours. And you took my drink away, which I need another!" She headed towards the bar and before she spoke, I ordered a water and pulled to me.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Doing what?"

"You're on some kind of medicine and aren't supposed to be drinking Nathan said?"

"He said what? I'm fine, ignore him. I feel fine!"

"Hey girl, we need to go dance!" Her friend pulled towards the dance floor again and she shrugged walking away. I made sure she stayed in my eye sight and wondered what kind heart medicine she was on. Her heart was fine after the surgery she had two years ago.

I took a sip of the water I had ordered for her and watched as was dancing with her girlfriends.

"Hey man saw you dancing with Hailey, very nice." A.J. came up to me.

"Do you know of any problems with her heart?" I asked him.

"Uh, not since well, two years ago why?" I explained to him what I talked to Nathan about. "Well, maybe it's just the same pills she was given during that time."

"She was allowed to drink though with those." I looked back out to the dance floor and saw that she wasn't there.

"I'd let her friends take care of her though Nick, maybe you shouldn't get involved."

"I told her brother I'd watch her. I'm going to go find her."

"Or maybe you should tell her that you still love her." I ignored A.J.'s last comment and walked around the dance floor. I found one of her other friends who was dancing with a guy and walked up to her.

"Hey where did Hailey go?"

"I think she went outside with Sarah," Jen said and continued to dance. I went up the steps that lead to outside and looked around the pack deck. People were smoking, on their cell phones and drinking. I saw the two by the railing in the back and walked up to them.

"Heyy, look Sar, it's Nicky!" She put her arms around me and I looked at her friend.

"She alright?" I asked.

"She was just warm, we came outside for some fresh air." I pulled her away from me a little and felt her forehead. She was sweating and it was burning.

"Drink this," I handed her the water and she took it, still leaning against me.

"Thanks, I feel like I've been running a marathon."

"We haven't been dancing that long," Sarah laughed. "I think you need to relax a little though. You're face is beat red."

"And my pulse is racing! But Nick here has always had that affect on me." Sarah reached up to Hailey's neck and looked at her watch.

"Hailey you feeling okay?" she asked.

"I'm good!" she put her thumb up in the air.

"Hey let's go sit on those chairs over there," I said and we walked over to the table with the chairs and sat down.

"So you are the Nick Carter huh?" Sarah asked.

"That's me," I said keeping an eye on Hailey. She had knees tucked up to her and her head resting on them.

"Hailey?" I asked.

"Hmm," she kept her head down.

"Maybe we should take her home," Sarah said.

"You know what, I will. If that's okay with you?"

"I don't know, you did break her heart."

"I talked to her brother and I just told him I'd look after her. You stay with your other friend and I'll be sure she gets home safe."

"Hails, you want Nick to take you home?" Sarah asked rubbing her friends back.

"Nick?" She asked lifting her head.

"Yeah, Hailey, you need to get home. I'm going to take you okay?"

"You won't leave me again?" Her voice made my heart break a little.

"No way. I'm here tonight."

"Okay." Her head went back down and I took out my cell phone to call A.J. It rang a bunch of times before he finally answered. I told him to meet me at the car so we could take Hailey home.

"Alright, well have her call me tomorrow. Hailey if you need me tonight call me." Sarah said and then walked away.

"Time to go," I helped Hailey stand and she stumbled into my arms.

"I don't feel well." She held her hand up to her head.

"I know, we're going to get you into bed. Can you walk?" I asked wrapping my arms around her. She nodded her head into my chest and we walked to the parking lot. Just before we made it to the car, she pushed me away and dropped to her knees and began getting sick.

"She okay?" A.J. asked and Trish was already by her side.

"I really don't know. Should I take her to the hospital?" I asked getting closer to her.

"NO!" she called out and tried to stand up. Tricia ended up holding her up and looked at me for help. I picked her up and brought her to the car. A.J. opened the door and I set her in before getting in myself. She lay her head on my lap and I brushed her hair back gently.

"Why would you do this to yourself, pretty girl?" I asked in a whisper and kissed the top of her head.

"Because I'm still in love with you," she mumbled and within seconds she was fast asleep.

Nick's POV
"You sure you don't want us to hang around?" A.J. asked walking to the door.

"No, I'll call you in the morning."

"Well, man, I think you're doing the right thing. If anyone should be taking care of her, it should be you." He gave me a hug as did Trish and they went out to the car. I went back up stairs to where I left Hailey in her bed. I walked into her room and she was tossing and turning.

"Hey you," I sat on the edge of the bed and felt her head. "Hails where is your thermometer?"

"Bathroom," she pointed to the bathroom that was connected to her room. I got up and went into the bathroom and began opening the mirrors. It had her face wash, tooth paste, and three prescription bottles. I looked at the labels and had no idea as to what they were for. I looked under the sink and found a clear plastic bin and pulled it out. Inside was a bunch of first aid things including the thermometer.

I went back into the room and found myself laugh a little at her sight. She had taken her shirt off, wearing her bra still and her shorts were unbutton and unzipped. I sat back down on the bed and asked, "Why is your shirt off?"

"I'm too hot," she whined and threw her head to the side.

"Put this under your tongue."

"I'm not sick, I'm drunk." She said rolling her eyes and put the thermometer under her tongue.

"I'm just curious." She closed her eyes and brought her hands up to hear head. She didn't look well at all and I was doing everything in me not to take her to the emergency room. After a minute it beeped and I pulled it out. I was shocked at what I read, it was 103.8. "I need to get you to the hospital." I stood up and she took my hand.

"What is it?" She mumbled.

"Don't worry about it, here let's get you in something comfortable."

"Nick."

"It's almost 104."

"No, I don't want to go back." I was about to ask her what she meant and remembered that I needed to get her fever down right away.

"Um, okay." I picked her up into my arms and brought her into the bathroom. I placed her in the tub and turned on the cold water. I had the stopper in and the tub began to quickly fill with water. It brought back memories of when Hailey had to get me into the bath tub to get my temperature down when I was sick. I now almost wished A.J. hadn't left and I wanted to call Brian; someone, because I was scared of what was happening.

She seemed to relax though as the bathtub filled to the top. She wasn't moaning any more or tossing her body. I put the thermometer back under her tongue and it was down to 101.5.

"Just a little longer," I told her, pushing her hair out of her face. She nodded and her body began to slide down.

"Tired," she whispered.

"I know. I want to get you down to 99 though." I now had my arm behind her, holding her up. When I least expected it, her lips formed a small smile. "And what are you smiling at there killer?" I asked.

"I've missed you taking care of me."

"Someone has to and Brian's not here." It meant to come out as a joke but I knew he words kind of stung her. "I want to be here and I'm glad that I am. I wish it were under different circumstances however."

"Nick why?"

"Why what?" I asked and brushed her cheek with my thumb.

"Why did you break up with me? Was I that bad of a girlfriend?" Her voice was small and I knew that this needed to be talked about at some point eventually.

"Let's wait until you're sober to talk about this, alright?"

"You broke up with me when you were drunk, I think we can talk about why you broke up with me while I'm still well you know."

"I just want you to feel better and I promise, we will talk tomorrow if you want, okay?"

I felt her body begin to shake and took that as a sign that her fever was almost gone. I took her temperature one more time and sure enough it was down to 99.9. I released the stopper and the water emptied.

"Let's get you into some PJ's." I put a towel around her body and carried her into her room. Gently placing her on her bed, I looked into her bottom drawer and pulled out a pair of boxers and a tee shirt; both looked to have been mine.

"Hails, I'm going to help you get dressed. Are you alright with this?" Her eyes remained closed and she nodded her head. I placed the shirt over head and slid it down. I then un-clasped her bra and took it off. I slid off her wet shorts, along with her underwear and then slid on the boxers. Her body looked small but still incredibly sexy.

She really wasn't much help, as her life was lifeless and ready for bed. I slid her up onto her pillow and pulled a sheet over her body.

"Here drink some water," I put the cup to her lips, holding the back of her head with my other hand. She took a few sips and lie down. Glancing at her clock, it read 3:43 and was grateful to be getting some sleep.

"Nick," she whispered as I put her wet clothes into the bathroom.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you, for--"

"Shh, we'll talk tomorrow." I kissed her cheek and she nodded her head falling right to sleep. I took a seat in her popasaun that was across from her bed and watched as her breathing was quick at first but began to slow down as she fell into a deep sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hailey's POV
I woke up as the sun came into my bed room and it took me a minute to even realize where I was. I sat up a little and my head began to pound instantly.

"Good morning," I heard a voice say and I looked up and saw Nick sitting in the birds nest like chair.

"Nick?" The club, dancing, drinks, mixing with pills...again.

"How are you feeling?" He asked now getting up in the chair.

"Umm, I just need to take a shower." I pulled the sheets off. 'How did I get into my pajamas?' I asked myself. Standing up, my body felt shaky and I reached for the wall to balance me.

"Hey maybe you should lay down. You had a long night." Nick had his hand on my waist. I spun around, placing my hands on his shoulders and locked eyes with him.

"No, a shower will help." I went around Nick and into the bathroom. I turned the shower on and let the waited until the steam began to pour out and I looked into the mirror. I had dark circles under my eyes, my skin looked pale and my eye make up was smeared. Letting out a sigh,I slipped my clothes off and climbed into the shower.

After ten minutes, I got out, brushed my teeth and ran a brush through my hair. I slipped on a pair of shorts, a tank top and an over sized sweat shirt. I went down stairs into the kitchen where I heard Nick moving around.

"Hi," I said softly and opened up the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water.

"I'm making some eggs and toast, you should probably get something in your tummy." He smiled as he pushed around the eggs in the frying pan. I was taken back to memories of us making breakfast for each other, usually it was me making it, and Nick having his arms around my waist.

"Thanks." We ate breakfast together, in silence both of us thinking of what to say or how to bring up the previous night. After cleaning up, we went into the living room and took a seat on the couch. I tucked one leg under me and faced Nick.

"I'm sorry you had to take care of me last night, but I'm glad you were there and thank you."

"Did you know you weren't supposed to mix drinks with your medicine?" His blue eyes were full of concern. I slowly nodded my head and ran a hand through my hair.

"I drank two nights ago with Howie and Brian and it only left me with a bad headache, so I thought I'd be fine. But I mixed my drinks and drank more in a shorter period of time."

"What's wrong with your heart?" I took in a deep breath and let it out shaky. Only my brother knew. "Hailey, is it another heart murmur?" I looked away from Nick an down at my hands and Nick reached over and took my hand into his. My butterfly friends flew around in my stomach and for the first time in a while, I felt as though I could trust.

"I need a new heart," I said simply and shrugged my shoulders.

"What? Like a transplant?" I nodded my head and looked up at Nick.

"The murmur they fixed, it became bigger and there are more."

"Once you get the transplant though, you'll be fine?" His fingers tightened with mine.

"Maybe. I'm not at the top of the list though. It's going to be a while. The medication is supposed to slow down the enlargement, fight infections and keep the palpitations some-what regular."

"Hailey, I'm sorry."

I shook my head no and sat up a little straighter. "I'm fine, I'm going to be fine. I just have to be smarter with the drinking. I hadn't drank since before I went to the hospital until I did with Brian and D. I think I just let this weekend get to me." I pulled on a smile and tucked my hair behind my ear.

"I truly never wanted to hurt you. It just wasn't working." Nick told me.

"Honestly Nick, I can't buy that. I don't know how you can because things between us were amazing and then because you thought I was back into not eating-"

"You had to be put into the hospital for anorexia Hails."

"I wouldn't have had to be if you didn't break my heart," I bit my lip as soon as I said that. I didn't want to blame Nick.

"You really think you would've been alright if we stayed together?"

"I'd like to think I would've been," my voice trailed off.

"I just wanted you to be happy."

"I was with you Nick. My life turned upside down when we broke up. I thought I made you happy."

"You did, I thought I was doing the right thing."

"And now?" I looked into his eyes trying to read him.

"Now, you're healthy, for the most part and I have a girlfriend."

"You didn't answer, do you think you did the right thing?"

"What do you want me to say?" His voice rose a little.

"Tell me what you feel or felt. Nick you always were able to tell me what you were feeling." There was a long pause and then he spoke up.

"I didn't know how to save you. I hurt you so many times and then when I thought you were going down that path again I didn't know how to handle it."

"Obviously." I mumbled.

"I'm sorry."

"Well, you did what you had to do. I'm healthy, for the most part, like you said and well, yeah happy when I'm working. And I only want you to be happy. Truly." I felt my emotions getting the best of me and did the best to keep back the tears that were forming behind my eyes. I blinked a few times and licked my lips.

"Hailey-" Nick put his hand on my knee.

"I'm fine." I smiled.

"I want to us to be friends. Do you think that's possible?"

"Sure." There was a few minutes where we didn't say anything.

"I think I'll call A.J. to come pick me up," he reached for is pocket to take his phone out.

"I"ll take you back to the hotel. It's the least I can do for last night." We stood up and I was about to walk towards the door when Nick pulled me to him. His arms wrapped around me and it took me a moment to relax. I took in his familiar scent and squeezed him a little.

"I will always love you," he kissed the top of my head and I wanted nothing more than to tell him that I was still so in love with him. To pull him into me tighter and kiss him as though we've never spent a single day apart. Instead, I nodded my head, pulled one of my famous half grins and walked to the door. I slipped on a pair of sandals, grabbed my keys off the hook and held the door open for Nick.
Hailey's POV

I had dropped Nick off at his hotel. Our good-bye's was short and as I pulled away, I couldn't shake the the sudden emptiness I felt inside of me. I beginning to day dream and think about the previous nights events. I was angry with myself for getting that drunk and for Nick having to take care of me once again. There was however a part of me that felt happy that Nick had been the one and he did it on his own will. I was stopped at a traffic light when my phone began to ring.

"Hello?" I picked up not looking to see who it could've been.

"Hey there Hails," Brian said into the other line.

"Uh hi, what's up?"

"Did I catch you a bad time?"

"No, I'm just heading into work soon."

"I just called to see how you were doing? I talked to Alex this morning." Great, I was hoping to keep this between Nick, myself and whoever else was with us last night.

"I'm fine thanks, just a little too much to drink."

"Something about a heart medicine?"

"Just the same stuff I've been on from the last surgery." There was a short pause.

"Nick went home with you last night?" There was a tone of jealousy in Brian's voice, or maybe it was more a long the lines of him being upset or mad.

"Well, he, yeah. I honestly don't remember much, he slept in a chair all night."

"I see." And another pause. "You two get another chance to talk?"

"A little. He says he wants to try the friends thing. We'll see if that is possible."

"That's good. I mean really, you two should be friends." Brian no sounded s if he were sad.

"You okay B?"

"I'm good. So do you have any vacation time?"

"Hmm, not really. I mean in July the gym is closed for a week for the fourth because a lot of the kids go away."

"That's forever away. How about I come see you next week."

"Brian don't you have to be with Bailey?"

"No Leigh is taking him the next three weeks because she's going to California for a movie for a couple of months."

"Oh." I paused for a moment, wondering if it would be best for Brian to come out. "Can I get back to you on that? I just want to make sure that I don't have anything really going on besides work." It wasn't a total lie.

"That's fine. Alright well I have an appointment to go to. Give me a call later tonight when you're done with work."

"Okay Bri, have a good day."

"You too." I hung up and drove to work thinking about Brian, the kiss and Nick and our past.
Nick's POV

On the plane back to California I sat staring out the window. My thoughts of Hailey were interuppted from my phone vibrating. It was a text from Ashley, my girlfriend.

:Can't wait to see you! Mmuah: I sighed, closed the phone and closed my eyes. I hadn't slept the night before at all. I was too worried about Hailey and watched as she slept.

"What are you going to do?" A.J asked.

"About what?" I kept my eyes closed.

"You know about what Nick."

"There's nothing to do. I'm goinb back home to Ashley."

"You don't love her though."

"She's a great girl. She's sweet, caring and isn't with me for my money."

"But it's not fair to her if you're in love with someone else still."

"I'm not in love with anyone and I could be falling in love with Ashley. We've been together for six months now."

"You can't base love on how many months or years you've been with someone. I saw you how you stepped up last night and took care of her. And before that I saw how into her you were dancing with her. You neve once looked at Ashely the way you have with Hailey."

"I just want to sleep for the remainder of his plane ride. I'm tired."

"Okay but sooner or later you're going to hae to face your feelings."
~*~*~*~ Nick's Home~*~*~*~
I dropped my bags at the bottom of the stairs and could hear movement in he kitchen. I rubbed my tired eyes and saw Ashely moving around the kitchen as if it were on fire.

"You're not trying to cook are you?" I laughed.

"NIIIICK!" She squeeled and jumped into my arms. "I missed you so much!" She kissed me.

"I was gone for a week." I put her down on he ground.

"Well, I am making a home cooked meal for you. Hope you're hungry."

"Smells good. When do you think it will be ready?"

"Not for an hour."

"I'm going to go up stairs adn take a nap. Is that okay?"

"Sure thing baby, I know it was a long flight," she came over and pecked my lips. I smiled and headed for the stairs. I picked up my bags and carried them up to my room. I opened my carry on bag and pulled out the blue scrap book. I ran my fingers over the first page of Hailey on my back, kissing my cheek, her arms wrapped around my neck and me grinning like an idiot. I closed the book and tucked it under my pillow; I lay my head down on the pillow and closed my eyes. I let the single tear roll down my cheek and I fell into a deep sleep. I never saw my door open slightly or see Ashley stand at the door way.

Hailey's POV

"Earth to Hailey," Sarah said.

"Huh? Sorry what did you say?"

"I asked what you wanted to do for conditioning for the girls. There is only five minutes left."

"Just have them do their toe raisers and splits. I have to go into the office for a minute." I walked through the large gym and and into the office. A week had passed since I saw Nick and Brian was supposed to be coming in that night. I sat down in her chair in her desk and let out a sigh.

"Everything alright?" Sarah asked coming in.

"Yeah, I just had to make a phone call," I lied.

"Nick's on your mind huh?" She took a seat.

"The girls gone?"

"Yeah, just the cheer class is finishing up."

"Brian's coming tonight. I have to go get him in thirty minutes."

"Brian huh? Didn't you two kiss the last time you saw him?"

"Yeah but I was drunk and he was too and it could never work."

"Why not? He's handsome and funny and caring, sweet, talented-"

"Is Nick's best friend, my best friend, has a kid, just got divorced."

"Ignore all that and what are you true feelings?"

"I'm in love with Nick." I said simply. "I have to go get Brian."

"Well, maybe this week with him will help you see things a little clearer?"

"Maybe. So you're all set for tomorrow. Call me if someone doesn't show up."

"Yes, take tomorrow off and you'll have the team girls Wednesday and have fun."
~*~*~*~*~ The Airport~*~*~*~*

I waited on the outside of the doors from the terminal for Brian. His plane was twenty minutes delayed and I sat in a chair, with my legs cross, moving my leg up and down. I was nervous to see Brian and this was just another reason why we couldn't be more than friends. I didn't want to ruin everything we had.

"Hey you," a voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Brian hi!" I stood up and hugged him. "Sorry I was kind of in a zone." I pulled away. "Let's go get your bag." I smiled and we went down to the luggage. "How was your flight?" I asked.

"Short, and sweet. How was work?"

"It was good, sorry I didn't get a chance to get out of my work clothes."

"You still look great," he smiled. I had on a pair of navy blue shorts and a white tank top that said "Flips Gymnastics."

"So,I thought we'd get a pizza and chill in tonight since it's already ten."

"Perfect. We could get a movie too if-" His phone began to ring. "Sorry," he pulled it out and raised an eye brow as he answered. "What's up Nick? Actually Nick right now isn't best to be talking about this." Brian held up a finger and walked away from me a little. I was curious as to what Nick wanted to talk about. I watched as Brian threw a hand in the air and ten ran it through his hair. A minute later he came back over tome. "Sorry."

"Everything okay?" I asked.

"Yeah, we haven't talked since we were both here three and half weeks ago. There's my bag," he walked up to the moving belt and picked up his suitcase.

"All set I asked?" Still wondering what Nick wanted. Brian nodded his head and I couldn't help but notice his mood had changed a little.

The car ride to the pizza shop and my house was quiet with small talk in between. We got inside and settled in the living room and Brian looked through my movie collection picking out a movie. He finally came across "We Own the Night" and put it in.

"Brian you seem distracted," I said taking a bite of my pizza. Brian put his pizza down and folded his hands. "It's about Nick?" I asked.

"You can read me too well."

"That's what best friends are for," I stressed in the 'best.' "What did he say Brian? You can tell me, I can handle it."

"Let's not get into it tonight okay? I just want to have fun and relax with you."

"Bri-"

"Please Hails," he cut me off.

"Okay," I didn't press it any more.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Nick's House~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Nick what is your deal? You've been anywhere but here with me since you got back home from South Carolina. I've tried to be patient and supportive, thinking okay maybe he's just going through something but I can't be treated as though I'm a ghoast." Ashley yelled at me as I sat playing my Play Station Three.

"That's nonsense. We went out last night to dinner."

"And we said maybe a total of five sentences to each other. I don't know what else to do? I make dinner and clean your house, I act as a wife to you and you can't even act like a friend to me. I don't ask when you come home at three in the morning or who you are going out with. I know you don't drink any more and the club scene isn't you, although I'd like to go dancing once in a while."

"What do you want from me Ashley? I give you the things you need and want. I let your girlfriends come over at any given time and it's still not enough."

"I want you Nick, I want your heart and I can't have it because some other girl you can't seem to let go, has it!" This caught my attention and I looked up. "Nick I'm not dumb, I've seen the scrap book you carry around and I've seen the DVDs of your tour with with her. I've heard you cry in the middle of the night, with me lying right next to you. I've tried to be understanding and tried to see some reason why you're with me. But I guess all I am is something to fill in the void."

"Ashley it's not like that," my voice was soft and I stood up.

"You need to admit to yourself that you're still in love, you're still hurting. That's the only way you're going to be able to let go. And you're not going to be able to do it with me in your life." She had tears streaming down her cheeks and I immediately felt like an ass. 'Great job Carter,' I said to myself.

"Ash, I'm sorry." Those were the only words I could manage to find at the time and I meant them sincerely.

"You either go after this girl before it's too late so that you can be truly happy or you allow yourself to move on. And if you choose to move on, then maybe some down the line we can be together." She pulled me into a hug and kissed my cheek. " Good-bye Nick. I'm going to pack my things." She closed her eyes tight and walked out of the living room..

After an hour, Ashley had the majority of her things and was walking out the door. The moment the door shut, I felt this overwhelming sense of relief. I could breathe a little easier and went into my room and openend the large closet. I pulled out a box, it was filled with things from Hailey and things of hers. I dumped it out on the bed and picked up my phone. I held down the number 'one' button and the other side began to ring.

"What's up Nick?" Brian answered on the other side.

"I'm going to get Hailey back," I said sternly.

"Actually Nick right now isn't best to be talking about this," Brian told me.

"Brian she's the one for me, there is no one else."

"Nick, I really can't talk about this right now, I'm with Hailey right now." For some reason Brian's words hit me like a ton of bricks.

"Why are you with her?"

"I came down to visit."

"Ashley and I just broke up and I just need to see her. I need to talk to her and tell her I'm sorry and most importantly that I love her."

"Nick I think you need a few days to really think about this. You just broke up with Ashley and you never allowed yourself to try to move on from Hailey."

"No I know what it is I want."

"But what you want might be different than what Hailey wants and she's been trying to move on. You cannot hurt her again Nick."

"Brian I thought you'd be supportive."

"Nick, I've tried to be there and you've just pushed me away. And I'm tyring to be here for Hailey and I can't stand to see her hurt again from you."

"I'll do this on my own. Thanks for being there Frick," I told Brian, knowing the nickname would sting him and I hung up. I then got online and looked on the the Internet to book a flight to South Carolina.
_________________
Brian's POV
"What do you want to do today Brian?" Hailey asked me as we sat eating the eggs she had made for breakfast.

"What is there to do?"

"Anything you would be able to do anywhere else. I mean we kinda did all the tourists stuff that's good. We could hit up the aquarium or do the battle-ship walk or go to the beach or the mall or movies or whatever you want," she rambled off.

"You took today off?"

"Yup all day, just for you."

"I told you that you didn't have to take any time off for me. I can manage myself for a few hours."

"I don't mind." She shrugged her shoulders and smiled. I kept playing in my head the conversation I had with Nick and I felt bad for him but then I was worried about my feelings for Hailey.

"I'd like to take you out tonight, like a date."

"Oh?" She asked and coughed on the eggs she had just put into her mouth.

"If you don't choke to death first, yes."

"Sorry, just went down the wrong way."

"A simple date, something I haven't done in a while; dinner and a movie?"

"Sounds good, what time will you pick me up in my car?" She winked

"How about six?"

"Okay sounds good."

"What should we do until then?"

"Bowling?"

"Seriously?"

"You don't like to bowl?"

"I didn't say that."

"Okay so we'll go. It's eleven now, we'll go bowl and I'll kick your butt in a few games and then grab some lunch, come back here to chill and then I will have to leave you to get ready for a date." She wiggled her eye brow at me and stood up to put her plate into the dishwasher and then took care of Brian's.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"STRIKE!" Hailey yelled and jumped up.

"I think you were or are on a bowling team and won't tell me."

"No, I'm just that naturally talented," she smiled and took a seat. "Your turn B." I picked up the ball and got in my position to take my approach. As I swung my arm back Hailey yelled out, "Backstreet's Back ALRIGHT!" I turned around and looked at her and she just grinned.

"Sounded right for the time, I don't know?" She laughed and I shook my head and attempted again. This time Hailey remained quiet and I was able to bowl. I knocked all the pins down except for one. "Good job Bri."

"Well, unlike you I don't professionally bowl."

"Come on, get a spare, knock down this pin. It's an easy one and then we'll be tied."

"Right," I took the ball that came out of the receiver and stepped up. I began the steps and just as I was about to release the ball Hailey jumped on back.

"But I won't let you get that tie!" I spun her around and she hopped off.

"A bit competitive are we?"

"Always have been," she said simply and went to get her ball.

~~*~*~ Later that Night~*~*~
"Brian I had a great time tonight," Hailey smiled getting out of her car. "The bowling, lunch, dinner, the movie was good. It was a lot of fun." We walked up to her front door and stopped outside facing each other.

"Well, I had a great time too and to complete our date, I have walked you to your door and I think a good night kiss is needed," I felt like I was in high school again. She tilted her face down and I lifted her chin up.

"Brian I don't know?" Her voice was soft.

"About what?"

"I can't lose you Brian, you're a big part in my life."

"You're not going to lose me."

"I've lost Nick though and you two are barely speaking as it is."

"I have stronger feelings for you than just as a friend Hails, and I know you share some of those feelings too."

"Brian I'm not sure what I feel. We were both drunk that night, it was a kiss that's it." At that moment I pulled her to me and kissed her. A moment later we pulled away and I stared into her eyes intently.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Nick's POV~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I had caught a flight out to South Carolina as soon as possible and it took me three flights to get out there. I rented a car and by the time I got to Hailey's house it was ten o'clock at night. I rang her door bell and no one answered and her car wasn't in the driveway. I had parked across the street and waited in my car until she came home; thinking of what I would tell her.

It was around eleven before I saw her white car pull into the drive way, she got out of the driver's side and Brian walked with her up to the front door. I got out of my rental car and as I was heading towards the two when I saw Brian pull Hailey in for a kiss.

My heart went up into my throat and I felt the world spin beneath my feet. "That's why you wouldn't help me get her back, you wanted her for yourself," I said out loud before I could help it as they pulled away.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Nick?" Hailey asked. I turned around on my heel and headed back to my car.

"Shit, Nick wait!" Brian called out and Hailey was already pulling on my arm turning me around.

"What's going on? Nick stop."

"I made a mistake, you're with Brian now."

"No, I'm not! Nick wait so we can explain."

"I think the kiss itself explained everything."

"Nick you should listen to her."

"Brian, you WERE my best friend. You WERE my brother and I trusted you and I know things between us lately has been rocky but I NEVER thought you would go as low as dating the woman I am in LOVE WITH!" With that I got into my car and slammed the door and squealed down the street.
~*~*~*~*~*~Hailey's POV~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I was in shock that Nick was there and as he sped his car away I felt an overwhelming come of emotions. I turned to face Brian and he had his hands on his head.

"Hails," he finally spoke and I went up to my door, unlocked it and went inside. I threw my purse on the kitchen table and pulled a water bottle out of the refrigerator.

"Did you know he was coming Brian?" I asked placing my hands on the counter, dropping my head down.

"Well, no not really."

"What did he say yesterday when I picked you up?"

"He didn't say he was coming down here."

"BRIAN TELL ME!" I raised my voice and was surprised that it did.

"He called asking for my help to get you back into his life. He told me that he was still in love with you. I told him you were trying to move on and I didn't want to see you get hurt by him again. Hailey I'm sorry. I was trying to protect you."

"I don't need protection. Brian look, you're everything a girl could want but-"

"You're still in love with Nick."

"I don't know if I am but it's not worth losing either of you or allowing you two to ruin years of friendship and brother hood. You know you and I, we're just not meant to be Bri." My voice had softened and I now faced him.

"I know you're right."

"You know I will always love you but just not as lovers." Brian pulled me in for a hug. "Can you call Nick?"

"I'll try but I doubt he'll answer."

~*~*~*~*~* Nick's POV*~*~*~*~*~
Angry and more hurt, I sped down a back road, not exactly sure where I was going. I didn't know this area at all. It had begun to rain and the wipers on the Mustang I had rented weren't working. My cell phone began to ring and I reached in my pocket to answer it. It was Brian and I hit ignore, accidentally dropping it down by my feet. I continued to drive, knowing the speed limit was 40, I couldn't go anything below 65.

My phone began to ring again and I glanced down by my feet and I saw Hailey's picture glow. I reached down to pick it up, and as I lifted my head back up, I jerked the wheel because I was going around a sharp turn. The rear wheel drive spun me around and the car slammed into a tree before I knew it.

Everything began to darken and I struggled to keep my eyes open. The phone in my hand began to ring again and I slowly brought it up to my ear.

"Hailey...help..." my voice shook.

"Nick, Nick what's wrong? Where you?"

"I, I don't know...back roads....sharp turn..." I then slipped into complete darkness.
~*~*~*~*~*Hailey's POV*~*~*~*~*~*
"Brian we have to go, somethings wrong with Nick."

"What?" He asked following me as I rushed to get to my car.

"I think he was in an accident." I started the car and pulled out quickly and went to where I thought Nick could possibly be.

"Did he say he was?"

"No, he just said help and sounded weak and that there were back roads and a sharp turn." I turned down Greensburrow road where I knew it had turns all over. My windshield wipers were on full motion and I struggled to see.

"THERE!" Brian pointed to the right, where we saw a red Mustang tipped on its side against a tree. "I'm calling 9-1-1." I pulled over, put my flashers on and jumped out of the car.

"NICK, CAN YOU HEAR ME?!" I went to the passenger side and opened the door to look in. "Nick!" I wanted to cry at the sight I saw, Nick's head was against the window, his eyes were closed, and blood was coming from him temple. "Nick, we're getting help, stay with us."

"Ambulance is on their way. We can't move him, is he responding to anything you say?"

"No, God, what if he's d-"

"Shh, he's fine. Nick can you hear me? NICK SAY SOMETHING!" Brian was now getting scared I could tell. There was no way we could reach Nick to check his pulse and he wasn't making any movement.

The rain poured harder down onto us, we decided to close the passenger door to keep Nick dry and within ten minutes of us being there an ambulance showed up, as well as a tow truck. Brian and I stood back as everyone went to work to get Nick out of the car. Brian went to put his arms around my shivering body but I pushed him away. It was because of his actions Nick was in this situation.

"Alright, his neck is stable, we can get the car up so we can get him out!" One of the EMT's called out. Another ten minutes went by before Nick was onto a gurney and being lifted into the ambulance.

"Is he breathing, is he going to be okay?" I asked trying to get closer.

"He's alive, but in critical condition. We're taking him to Greensville Hospital." I nodded my head and got into my car as did Brian. I followed the ambulance, a million things racing my mind. I glanced next to me and Brian had tears streaming down his cheeks. I couldn't blame him for what happened to Nick, I'm sure he was already doing that. I reached over and took his hand into mine and squeezed it.

Once at the hospital we had to wait in the waiting room. "I have to call his family and the guys." Brian took out his cell phone with shaking hands and dropped it.

"I'll make the calls, you go get something warm to drink." I took Brian's cell phone.

"Hails you don't have to."

"I want to," I managed to pull a smile and then pulled Brian in for a hug. "He's going to be fine. He's too stubborn and needs to get his way."

"I know," Brian got up and headed to the cafeteria. I first decided to call B.J. so she could let her family know. I explained everything that happened, that I knew of and promised I'd call her as soon as I knew more. I then made the call to Alex. It rang a bunch of times before he picked it up.

"What's up Rok?" he answered.

"Alex, its Hailey."

"Hey girl how's it going?"

"Not so great."

"Something wrong with Brian?"

"Actually it's Nick."

"Nick? I thought you were with Brian." I then went on explaining everything from the beginning. "I'll do what I can to get out there. I'll call D and Kevin. How is Brian holding up?" I looked next to me, Brian had returned with two cups of coffee and was sitting in the chair with his head in his hands.

"What do you think?"

"Okay, well, call me as soon as you know."

"I will." I hung up the phone and stood up. I went over to the window and wrapped my arms around myself still shivering in my wet clothes. Brian's phone rang and I looked down and saw that it was Kevin.

"Hey Kev."

"Hailey, how is Nick?"

"No word yet. Here I'll let you talk to Brian." I went over to Brian and handed him the phone. "It's Kevin." He nodded his head and took the phone.

Brian continued to take phone calls that came through is phone and I paced around the waiting room not being able to focus on anything. Two hours passed and I was now slumped on the ground against the wall. I couldn't understand why no one would tell us anything, that was until a doctor in a surgical mask walked into the waiting room.

He pulled the mask off his face slowly and shook his head, looking angry.

"No," I said to myself and I felt my heart drop and start to race out of control. I stood up and as I was about to go to the doctor he had reached a different couple and was talking to them. That broke me right there and I fell to my knees and started crying.

"Hailey, it's going to be okay." Brian was by my side trying to hold me up. "Breathe Hails, come on."

"I-I thought that doctor was coming to tell...us...Ni...Nick was gone."

"You need to slow down your breathing, look at me." He cupped my face into his hands, brushing my tears away with his thumbs. "There you go, take a deep breath." I did as Brian told me and then pulled me. I felt weak and my head spun, I clung onto Brian and put my face into his chest.

"I'm light headed."

"You're alright, let's sit down." Brian, still holding me, walked me over to a chair.

"Why haven't they come out to tell us what's going on?"

"I'll go ask again, you alright here?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry for the break down."

"No, it's good to see you're still able to show signs of being human," he winked and stood up to go to the main desk. He came back a minute later, sitting down and letting out a long sigh.

"No luck?"

"They don't know anything."

"Carter family?" A doctor then asked out of no where. Brian and I stood up at the same time.

"How is he?" Brian asked and then took my hand into his.

"First of all, let me apologize for no one coming to talk to you about Nick's situation. Nick came in with head trauma, fractured ribs a broken leg and contusions throughout his body."

"He's going to be alright though, right?" I asked now squeezing Brian's hand harder.

"The next twenty-four to forty-eight hours are critical for Nick,right now he's in a coma."

"He will wake up, right?" I asked biting my bottom lip.

"Like I said the next couple of days are critical. I'll show you to his room, please follow." Still hand in hand, Brian and I followed the doctor up to the intensive care unit. "I'll be sure you're updated on his condition thoroughly from now on."

"Thank you," Brain told the doctor and we walked up to Nick's bed; neither of us prepared for what we were about to see.

Brian's POV

Nick lay flat on his back, eyes closed and monitors hooked up to him left and right. His head was bandaged, scraps were on each of his cheeks. His right leg was in a cast and up in a sling. He was going to be pissed he broke the same leg again when he woke up. I glanced next to me and saw that the color of Hailey's face had completely drained.

"Hails maybe you should sit," I put my hand on the small of her back and moved a way closer to Nick. He brought a shaky hand up to his head and gently ran her fingers through a few of hair that stuck out from the gauze. She then closed her eyes and kissed his forehead.

"I'm so sorry Nick," she whispered.

"I'm going to go make some calls and give you some time with him. Hailey didn't answer but pulled a chair up to Nick's bed. She then took his hand into hers and began talking to him.

~*~*~*~*~The Next Day~*~*~*~*~

"Brian," Kevin walked up to his cousin in the hospital and gave him a hug.

"Glad you're here"

"Me too, any change?"

"None."

"Where is Hailey?"

"Right by his bed. She hasn't left his side once. Katie tried to get her to go home and get some rest and shower but wouldn't go."

"Her and Howie come in today?"

"Yeah this morning. Kate just went to go get some new clothes for her and Howie is in there right now."

"Aaron and his sisters?"

"Should be out tonight maybe tomorrow. And Alex I have no idea."

"His flight was delayed but should be in tonight. Brian why don't you go to Hailey's get some sleep?"

"This is my fault, I can't leave him."

"What are you talking about?"

"Nick was upset because of me and now he's in there hanging on for his life and-" Kevin pulled me in for another hug and the tears I had been keeping back began to fall.

"This isn't your fault. Nick has been reckless with his life these past months and something like this was bound to happen. I'm going to go in to see them."

"I'm going to go outside and get some fresh air. We can only have a few of us in there at once."

~*~*Hailey's POV*~*~I looked at one of the monitors that read Nick's brain waves and there was no change. I was thankful for his heart beat and rise of Nick's chest. The doctor said that he had high chances of waking up as long as they didn't have to put a breathing tube down his throat.

Howie was talking to Nick but I wasn't hearing a word he was saying. We were told that the more you talked to a person in a coma, the better the chance of them coming to.

"Am I glad to see you man," Howie told Kevin giving him a hug.

"Nick what have you done to yourself now," Kevin asked walking closer to the bed. "How are you doing Hails?" Kevin kissed my cheek.

"Fine," was all I said not taking my eyes off Nick. Kevin looked over to Howie, who only shrugged. Kevin and Howie continued talking to Nick attempted to say things to make my feel better. I loved them for that and I know they were hurting just as much and were just as scared as I was.

A few hours later Brian had come back into Nick's room with Katie. "Hailey let's go home for a bit, shower and take a nap." Brian told me and I shook my head no.

"Hon, I think it's best you go home for a bit. Alex and Trish just got here and they're going to want to spend some time with Nick."

"I am NOT leaving him again."

"Hailey you never left him. Nick's going to be okay, just go for a few hours and then come back."

"Katie, I'm not leaving." Her and Brian took an arm and stood me up. I was pulled up too fast and stumbled backwards.

"Easy there," Brian put a hand behind my waist.

" the last time she ate?" Katie asked.

"Jesus I'm right here in front of you two! I'm fine," I pulled away from them and went up by Nick's head. "I'm staying here," I stroked cheek. "Until his eyes are looking into mine, I am staying here. Everyone is more than welcome to use my place as a place to sleep, eat, shower or whatever. But I need to be here."

"Alright, just relax. Here are some clean clothes I picked up for you though." Katie handed me a bag. I took it and looked from the bathroom across the hall to Nick back to the bathroom. "I'll be right here holding his hand until you come back. I put a toothbrush and your toothpaste in there too." Katie took Nick's hand into hers and kissed it.

"I um...I'm sorry I snapped." I said and took a step away from Nick's bed and stopped.

"Come on, I'll make sure you get dressed and a little freshened up under ten minutes. Starting NOW!" Brian tried to joke and I pulled a half smile. I went into the bathroom and changed into a pair of clothes and was loving Katie even more for packing my navy blue valore suit with a tank top and pair of sneakers.

I brushed my teeth and splashed my face with cold water and took in a deep breath looking into the mirror, I grabbed onto the sink. I felt a little dizzy and I knew that part of it was because I hadn't had anything to eat in twenty-four hours and the fact I haven't my medication for my heart. I wasn't about to tell anyone because, well, only Nick and my brother knew about it and I didn't want anyone to worry about me.

I smoothed my hair out a little, thankful for having short hair now, I stepped back out into the cold hospital hallway.

"Hey you," Alex came up to me and pulled me in for a hug. His arms were around me were more than welcomed. Something about A.J. always calmed me and most people would think he'd be the one to start commotion.

"I'm going in to see Nick, care to join?" Alex asked, knowing those were thew words I needed to hear. He put an arm around me and we went back into Nick's room. Trish was in there with Kevin and they were telling Nick to wake up.

"Hey Nick, it's Bone, I'm here to kick your ass for having us all worry about you like this. Always have to be center of attention don't you." Alex was then silent and looked up to the ceiling. "Damn this is harder than I thought it was going to be," he started to get choked up. Tricia put her arms around his waist and kissed his shoulder.

The rest of the day and night was spent of everyone taking turns to speak with Nick and to see him. I had Katie take everyone at ten at night to my house to get a somewhat good night's sleep.

"So you have until tomorrow morning to wake up Nick. And then, I may have to really hurt you. It's been almost forty-eight hours and honestly I'm getting kind of tired. Everyone is here, well Aaron and your sisters should be here tomorrow. At least one of them call every hour checking in." I sat on the edge of the bed and took Nick's hand into mine.

"I can't imagine what you were feeling when you saw Brian and I kiss the other night. But I can honestly tell you, for me, that it didn't mean anything. And when you wake up I just want us to talk everything out and I need you to know that I still love you Nick. I never stopped and it sucks so bad that I have tell you those words when you're not even awake to hear them.
And to know that you had come to see me...God why did you have to get into that car?" I wiped a tear away.

"Hailey?" A voice came from behind me and I turned around to see who it was.

"B.J. hi," I stood up and gave her a hug. Leslie was next to her and I gave her a hug too. I looked down at my watch and it was eight am.

"How is he?"

"No change, but you know how your brother is. He'll come out of it on his own terms. I'm going to go get some coffee and let you two spend some time with him." Before walking out of the room, I went up to Nick and kissed his cheek. "I'll be back in a bit," I whispered and went out of the room.

"Good morning," came Brian's voice who was holding two cups of coffee and handed me one.

"You read my mind, I just was letting Leslie and B.J. have some time with him. Did you get some sleep?" I asked.

"Kind of not really. You didn't sleep at all did you?" I shook my head no. "I can't talk you into going home for a bit?"

"Brian I can't."

"Okay. Here I brought you a bagel and some fruit." We sat down in a the chairs that outside of Nick's room and ate. "Hailey I wanted to talk to you about the kiss."

"What about?"

"You were right, we're better friends than a couple and you're still in love with Nick and he's clearly in love with you. And when he wakes up, you two will be together like you're meant to be."

"You truly are my best friend B and I do love you." I reached for his hand.

"Ditto," he smiled.

~*~*~*~*~
Another day had passed, slowly. Nurses and doctors came in checking Nick's stats. Aaron and Angel made it. Before we knew it, night had come and Nick still wasn't awake. Every hour now that passed, was a step further away Nick was from us. Everyone but Aaron had gone to my place and he seemed to be taking Nick's situation the hardest.

"I need to go call my Dad, I old him I would by the end of tonight," Aaron got up and I nodded my head. A nurse then came in with bucket of water and wash cloth.

"I'm going to give Nick a sponge bath," she told me. "If you want to step out, it shouldn't be that long."

"Could I do it?" I asked standing up. "Please."

"I don't see why not, you have been here since he was brought in right?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, well, if you need anything just press the call button." She set the bucket and cloth on the table next to Nick's bed.

"Thank you." The nurse smiled and squeezed my shoulder gently, telling me to hang in there. I soaked the cloth in the water and began to wash Nick's right hand, careful to avoid the IV's going into his veins. "I know this is one of your fantasy's Nick, that's if I were in a real skimpy nurse outfit and you were of course awake." I smiled now going up his arm. I continued to wash his face, neck, under his arms and legs.

"You've made your point Nick, it's time to open your eyes. I can't continue to live off of coffee much longer." At that time, I had a heart palpitation and I reached behind me to sit in the chair. I let out a small cry as I sat down and missed the chair.

"Hailey? You okay?" Aaron asked kneeling down next to me.

"Yeah, I just am more tired than I ," I lied and with Aaron's help sat up in my chair. "I'm going to go get some more coffee, you want some?"

"Sure," Aaron eyed me as I walked out of the door. I pulled out my phone from my pocket and turned it on. You weren't allowed to have cell phones or electronics on that could mess up with the monitors. I punched in numbers and put the phone up to my ear.

"Hey Hail's how is Nick?"

"Nate I need you to do me a favor please."

"Of course."

"I need my heart medication. I haven't taken it in three days and I need it."

"What? You need to be on that all the time."

"I've been a little distracted over here. Everyone is at place but I just don't want them know. They have enough to worry about with Nick."

"Okay, I'll go get it right now. So, no change huh?"

"None but he'll be alright."

"I'll see you in a bit."

"Thanks." I hung up the phone and went and got two coffees.
~*~*~*~ The Next Day~*~*~*
"When did she fall asleep?" Katie asked Aaron quietly.

"I think about two hours ago, around six. She cannot be comfortable," Aaron responded referring to my head lying at the edge of Nick's bed, sitting in the chair still.

"She needs it, I think its the first time she's slept." Katie pulled up the blanket around me a little more.

" How is Sleeping Beauty?!" A.J. yelled going into the room.

"Shh, you're going to wake her," Katie hit A.Js arm.

"Too late," I yawned sitting up and I rubbed my neck.

"I was trying to wake Nick," he said in defense.

"I have to pee," I said and stood up. "Good morning Nick," I kissed his lips and walked out of the room.

"She acts like he's awake," Aaron said.

"I think we should all act that way," Alex said taking a seat.

Later that night, it was just me in the room with Nick. I was sitting on the side of his bed, his hand in mine and brushed my fingers through his hair.

"So everyone has gone back to my place. I'm kind of afraid what it looks like, I haven't been home since...well you know. You really need to wake up. I keep putting on clean clothes and giving myself sponge baths but my hair needs a good wash. When you do wake up, I don't know if I should yell at you or kiss you or what?" I looked up one of the monitors that had made a few beeps.

"A kiss sounds good," the words barely audible but I heard them.

"Nick? Oh my God, Nick, open your eyes." My hand went to his cheek and Nick's eyes slowly fluttered opened. "Oh thank God," I kissed his lips. "I have to get a doctor, someone?! He's awake!" I yelled and pressed the call button over and over.

"Do you have to yell?" He asked.

"I'm sorry, I'm just so," tears started streaming down my cheeks.

"Excuse me," a nurse pushed me out of the way. "You'll need to step out right now, we'll call you back in when we're done." She said.

"I'll be right back, I love you," I kissed his forehead again and quickly stepped out of the room and pulled my phone out. I dialed Brian's number and began pacing while it rang. It was only ten at night but it had been a long few days.

"HE'S AWAKE!" I yelled before Brian could get out the full word of 'hello'.

"What?! Are you serious?"

"YES! The doctor's are in there with him now. But he's awake!" I then heard Brian yell, "WAKE UP, NICK'S AWAKE!!"

"We're on our way Hails," he hung up and I went back to wait out of Nick's room.

Five minutes later the doctor came out smiling.

"He's in the clear and looks as though he'll have no long term injuries. He will need to be in the hospital a few more days but his injuries should be okay within time. He needs plenty of rest but I am sure you just made the calls and one at a time you can go see him."

"Thank you so much," I threw my arms around his neck and gave him a hug. I then went into Nick's room and up to his bed. "Hey," I whispered.

"The doctor tells me I've been in a coma for over three days day?" I nodded my head and took Nick's hand into mine.

"Gave us quite the scare. Everyone is on their way over."

"I was also told that you never left my side."

"Doesn't it show? I haven't showered in forever," I laughed lightly.

"You're beautiful Hails," Nick's eyes began to close and then open. "I love you Hailey."

"You feeling okay besides the obvious?" I asked worried as Nick's face paled more than it already was.

"Good-bye," his eyes closed and his heart monitor went flat line.

"NIIICK!" I cried, my head snapped up from the bed and my heart was pounding. Nick's heart monitor was steady, his chest was still rising and lowering. "It was just a dream," I said to myself and sat up. I rubbed my eyes and sat back in the chair, hugging my knees up to my chest. I then heard a soft murmur and Nick's hand twitched. I leaned towards the bed and took Nick's hand into mine. "Nick can you hear me?" His fingers then softly squeezed mine. "Nick open your eyes, come on," I then reached over and hit the call button. "Please baby, wake up." Nick's eyes slowly opened, closed and then opened again. Before I could say anything the room was filled with nurses and the doctor. I was pushed out and like the dream, I called Brian.

"Is it Nick?" Were the first words out of Brian's mouth when he picked up.

"He's awake," was all I told him and Brian said he'd be there right away. I paced outside Nick's room and within twenty minutes, Brian, Alex, Trish, Howie, Katie, Aaron, Leslie and B.J., Angel, Kevin were all in the hospital.

"How is he?" Aaron asked.

"I don't know, I was rushed out as soon as he woke up."

"Word with this group gets around fast," the doctor came out smiling. He was then bombarded with a list full of questions. "If everyone quiets down I can tell you about Nick's condition. "First of all, Nick is awake, he's fully aware of everything that has happened and is out of the woods. As far as we can tell now, he won't have any long term damages but he will need to be in the hospital for another few days. You can all go see him but two at a time and no more than for five minutes each. He needs to get plenty of rest."

"Rest? He's been asleep for three days straight!" Alex called out. We all agreed that his siblings would go in first and I couldn't help but feel nervous to see Nick and I stood in the back for a while.

"Hails why don't you go see him next," Leslie told me as her and B.J. came out. I looked over to Brian who nodded his head.

"Anyone want to come in with me?" I asked.

"You deserve some time by yourself with him," Kevin put his hand on my shoulder and I walked slowly to the door. I opened it and went inside. Slowly, I walked up to bed and Nick had his eyes closed.

"Nick?" I called out softly. He opened his eyes and I let out a sigh took in his pools of blue.

"What are you doing here?" He asked.

"Nick, I've been so worried about you." I took a step closer to him.

"Hailey just go home," Nick turned his head and looked away from me.

"But Nick I just want-"

"GET OUT!" He yelled. "I'm DONE with you."

"I don't understand what I did?"

"GO!" The words hit me hard and with tears spilling down my cheeks I left the room.

"That was fast," Brian said and I pushed through our group of friends and headed for the doors. "Hailey? What's wrong?" Brian pulled my arm before I could go any further.

"He doesn't want me in his life. I'm leaving." I pulled away from Brian hard. "You have my keys?" I asked.

"Hailey wait tell me what happened."

"Keys Brian." I put my hand out, waiting for Brian to hand me over the keys. He hesitated for a minute and pulled them out of his pocket and put them into my hand. I spun on my heel and went outside. It was early morning, six am and then was already up. I found my car parked down a little ways and got in. "I couldn't even tell him I loved him," I said out loud and began crying harder and started my car. Putting it into first gear, I spun my tires and headed home.
~*~*~* Brian's POV~*~*~*~
"I'm going to see what that was about," Brian said to the group and went into Nick's room.

"I figured you'd be next," Nick said. "Like I told Hailey, I'm DONE with you. Just leave Brian."

"You cannot take this out on Hailey, she never left your side once in the past three days and she's the one who found you. The kiss was nothing, we're just friends."

"I don't want to hear it. You and I are done, the band is done, Hailey and I are done."

"I'm leaving this room today Nick, but I am not leaving your life. And you cannot make these decisions after everything you went through. Before I leave, I just need to you to know that I love you and I thank God that you're alright." I turned and headed for the door and walked out.

"What did he say to Hailey?" Kevin asked.

"Same thing he told me, and that was to get out of his life."

"Give him some time," B.J. told me.

"Anyone want to go back to Hailey's for a bit?" I asked.

"I'll come, Howie you want to join?" Katie asked.

"Let me just go say hi to Nick and I'll come." Howie went into Nick's with Kevin.

"I'll get the rental," Katie told Brian and went outside.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When we arrived to Hailey's everything was quiet and I went upstairs to see if she was okay. I knocked on her bedroom door quietly and pushed it open.

"Hailey can I come in?" I peeked my head around her door and saw her lying on her bed, curled in a ball and wrapped up in a towel. Her hair was wet and she hugged a pillow to her chest. I pulled a blanket over her sleeping body and kissed her head. "He'll come around," I whispered and quietly walked out of her room and closed the door.

"She okay?" Katie asked when I went down stairs.

"She's showered and passed out. Her towel was around her, she must have been too tired to get dressed."

"I can't blame her. I can't believe Nick would say those hurtful things to her or you." Howie said sitting on the couch. Everyone knew about the kiss and about where Hailey and I stood for each other.

"I'm sure Kevin and his sisters will talk some sense into him at some point today." Katie tried to sound optimistic.
*Hailey's POV*

I woke up, still in my towel and realized I must have passed out when I was just going to lay down for a minute. I looked over at my clock on my nightstand and it read 8:08 am. It was around seven thirty am when I got out of the shower and at least eight when I laid down. I got dressed and ran a brush through my hair before going downstairs.

I went into the kitchen where I heard singing and moving around, Howie, Alex, Brian and Trish were in the kitchen making breakfast.

"Ah she wakes!" A.J. came up to me and kissed my cheek.

"Do you realize you slept for about twenty-four hours straight?" Trish asked.

"Leave her alone, she needed it. Hope you're hungry." Howie said bringing a plate full of pancakes over to the table.

"I'm kinda starving," I sat down at the table.

"Juice or coffee?"

"Juice, I need to detox from all the coffee I drank last few days." I smiled.

"Hey guys I just got off the phone with Leslie and good morning Hailey," Kevin said walking in with a cup of coffee in his hand.

"Morning." I sipped my juice.

"What did Les say?" Katie asked putting an arm around Howie.

"Actually the message is for Hailey." Kevin looked at me and sat down. "Nick wants to see you."

"He said that?" I asked in disbelief.

"I guess he's been pretty upset since early this morning."

"What about Brian?" I asked.

"He didn't say anything about him, sorry man."

"Not worried, Nick and I've been through worse," he shrugged.

"Well, I'm going to enjoy this awesome breakfast everyone made and then I'll go over," I stuffed a piece of pancake into my mouth.

"That a girl," Kevin patted my hand and began getting some breakfast for himself.
~*~*~*~*~*~Nick's POV~*~*~*~*~*~
I tried to sit up a little in my bed and used the remote to get the bed to tilt upward. I had only been awake for a day and already was I bored out of my mind in the hospital. I flipped through the channels on the TV and landed on the Animal Planet. I then heard a soft knock on the door and I said, 'come in'. Hailey then walked in, wearing jean carpi's and a green tank top.

"I was told you wanted to see me. If it's not true then I can just go-" she pointed towards the door and started to turn around.

"No it's true, come here." She walked slowly up to my bed, hesitant to get too close and took a seat in a chair. She set her purse on the ground and didn't seem to know what to do with her hands. "I'm sorry for yesterday, I didn't know how to handle everything that was happening and I was still upset about you and Brian."

"Which you have every right to be upset but Nick you need to know my feelings for Brian." She looked into my eyes waiting to see if I'd interrupt her. "Brian thought there could be something more between us, we became close friends after his divorce and during it. There was no one else in his life and so he kissed me to see if I felt anything he did and well...I didn't. And he then too realized, he didn't."

"Everyone told me that you stayed by my side the entire time. The nurses told me you gave me my sponge bath and you slept for five minutes at a time."

"I was worried and it sucks that this saying is true, but you never know what you have until you've lost it. And I realized that day you were in the accident just how much in love I am with you. Every hour of you not waking up, was an hour further away you got from me. If you never woke up Nick I don't know how I could live." Hailey's eyes began to water and I wanted to pull her to me. "I'm sorry for hurting you that day and so is Brian. He was confused about his feelings and you can't blame him for having any for me, I mean at one time you used to love me." She dropped her eyes down at her hands and I tried again to sit up.

"Hails," I reached my hand out to her. She started at it and then took it. "I NEVER stopped loving you, that's why I came for you that night. And in some sense, I knew you were right by my side when I was in that coma. And it scares me to death to think that because of my stupid over-reactions I almost lost you." I pulled on her hand a little and she stood up and sat on the edge of my bed.

"We're okay?"

"Better than okay, help me give you a hug," she put her arms under mine and pulled me to her a little. I winced as my ribs pressed against her chest.

"Sorry," she apologized.

"Don't be, if anything you're going to make me heel faster."

"Nick, how long are you going to push Brian out?"

"I'll call him later." She smiled and pulled me in for a kiss.

"When can you get out of here?"

"Until I can travel home, could be a couple weeks."

"What if you had a home right here in South Carolina to stay in?"

"Like with you?"

"I really won't take no for an answer. I couldn't imagine not taking care of you after all this."

"Are you sure? I'll probably be a pain in the butt."

"Nick you're a pain in the butt without being injured. Besides, you took care of me those months I couldn't walk."

"I'll run it by the doctor when he comes in and see what he has to say." She ran her hand through my hair and kissed my forehead.

"How about I go find the doctor and you call Brian please? It will make this day so much better."

"Sounds good." She stood up and walked towards the door.

"Hailey," I called out.

"Hmm?" She turned around and smiled.

"I love you."

"I love you Nick," she walked back to my bed and wrapped her arms around me. I felt my neck get wet and knew she was crying.

"Hey it's going to be okay," I pulled her away a little and had few tears of my own stream down my face. She nodded her head, I kissed her cheek and she went out the door.
_________________

Nick's POV

"Nick seriously, you should've taken the wheel chair. Look at how much pain you're in using the crutches," Hailey said helping me inside her home. Two days had passed since I had asked her to come see me and the doctor agreed that if I were to stay pretty much bed ridden for the next two weeks I could stay with Hailey. I knew she was right about the wheel chair because the crutches were killing me fractured ribs and banged shoulder.

"I'm fine, just will take me a little longer to move around," I defended and finally made it into her living room. She took the crutches and set them against a chair and helped me sit down on the couch. I must have made a face that read "God Damn" for the amount of pain I was in as I sat because Hailey's nose scrunched up. "I can't lift my leg," I told her leaning back and she gently picked up my leg and put it on a pillow she had already on the couch. She then adjusted the pillows behind me, kneeling on the ground and then stopped and stared at me.

"What?" I asked. "Do I have lunch on my face?" I asked and brushed my hand across my mouth.

"No, I just, one am so grateful you're alive and two, I just never thought we'd be...well, us again." She bit the bottom of her lip and I took her hand.

"Third time is a charm they say," I grinned and tilted my head back.

"I'm going to get you your pain medicine and let you take a nap." I nodded and watched as Hailey disappeared into the kitchen. Everything did seem surreal like she had mentioned and wondered if I could do this relationship again without screwing up one more time. Highly unlikely but maybe I could make it work.

"Here I bought you some Gatorade, we have to keep you hydrated," she handed me two pills and a glass of purple liquid.

"Thanks," I popped the pills into my mouth and with a sip of the drink swallowed them.

"Can I get you anything else?"

"No, I'm all set."

"Okay, I have to go into work in a couple of hours since I took the last week off, who knows what my team is going to be like. Brian will be here when you wake up after dropping off Howie and Katie at he airport."

"I'll be fine." She then knelt down and lay her head next to mine. I took her hand into mine and kissed it.

"I'm afraid to leave you," she admitted.

"I can see that, why?"

"I can't lose you again Nick."

"You won't, I promise. I'll be here when you get back, you're only gone for a few hours." She looked at me in disbelief. "I'm not going anywhere baby girl," I kissed her nose.

"Okay, I'm going to go start making dinner for tonight. Get some sleep." She stood up.

"Hails, I love you." She turned and smiled saying, "I know."

~*~*~*~*~*~Hailey's POV~*~*~*~*~*~*~"Hailey, go, I know your mind is on Nick."

"I feel horrible."

"There is only a half hour left, I'll do the circuit you had planned. I'll see you Friday, now go."

"Thanks Sarah," I gave her a hug and got my things together and left the gym. She was right, the entire time my mind was on Nick and I had called Brian twice checking in on him. I had only been gone for four hours. I hopped in my car and headed home, making the twenty minute drive, a twelve minute.

When I got inside I heard Brian and Nick talking in the living room, they were watching a basket ball game on the TV.

"You're home early," Brian stated.

"I am? I glanced down at my watch."

"Don't play dumb, Brian told me you called him two times checking in on me."

"Can't a girl be worried about her boyfriend who was in a coma for three days?" I set my bag on the floor and walked over and kissed Nick and then hugged Brian. "I'll go finish dinner, you guys are probably hungry."

"Eh we've been snacking," Nick said and I saw the bag of pretzels and rice snack cakes on the ground. A long with two empty Gatorade bottles lying next to them.

"I noticed," I picked up the floor and went into the kitchen. I was able to finish making the dinner I started before going in for work in ten minutes and had the table set. "Nick you want to eat out here or at the table?"

"I'll come to the table." Brian helped him get to is feet and they came to the table.

"How did you make dinner so fast?" Brian asked.

"I made most of it before work, something I taught myself to do because if I don't, then I'm usually too tired or lazy to cook after.

"Well, it looks great," Nick smiled.

After dinner, Brian helped me clean up in the kitchen while Nick looked for a movie on demand. "So, I'm leaving tomorrow Hails," Brian said handing me a dish to dry.

"What, why?"

"I've been here for a week, and I just have some stuff to do before Bailey stays with me for a while. Leigh leaves in two days."

"Are you okay with Nick and I?"

"You two are meant to be, I'm happy for you both."

"Promise?"

"Of course. Now you go out there, help Nick get a movie that won't drive us crazy. I'll fix us up some ice cream." I pulled Brian in for a hug. "What was that for?" He asked.

"You're just amazing," I smiled and went out to the living room.
~*~*~*~*~ Later That Night~*~*~*~*~
"I'm heading to bed," Brian said goodnight to us and headed up stairs for the guest room.

"Goodnight Rok,"Nick said.

"Are you getting tired?" I asked looking up to Nick. I had sat on the floor leaning against the couch Nick lay on.

"A little, as soon as I take the pills I'll be knocked out."

"Oh, let me get those for you." I went into the kitchen and got them with a glass of water and handed them to Nick. "Nick are you going to want to sleep down here tonight? I can camp on the floor."

"I was hoping to sleep in your bed, I just want to hold you in my arms and it's been years, literally since I've held you in my arms."

"Well, we better start getting you up stairs, time we get half way up, the pills may have kicked in and you'll be sleeping on the steps."

"Hey, I am not that slow!" Nick defended sitting up and I picked up his leg and carefully set it on the ground. I handed him his crutches and used them to stand.

"Okay..." I turned off the TV and walked behind Nick, he waited at the bottom of the stairs looking up for a minute before starting.

"I don't know if I should use the railing on one side or use both crutches." He stopped on the first step.

"Try using the railing one one side," I took his left crutch. It took just about five minutes before Nick made it at the top and he slumped over his crutches.

"You alright?" I asked.

"Yeah, it will be nice when these ribs heel up."

"Come on, let's go brush your teeth and get ready for bed."

"I'm not a two year old."

"Yeah, you pretty much are." I laughed and patted Nick on the shoulder as we made it to the bathroom. We both got ready for bed and I put on my night gown that happened to be Nick's favorite one.

"You know that's just not right," Nick said sitting on my bed and trying to lift his leg up. I walked over to him and helped him, leaning forward, exposing a little cleavage.

"What's not right?" I asked innocently.

"Don't give me that, I'm an injured man here."

"Uh huh," I climbed on the bed and carefully straddled him, sitting on my knees. Nick put his hands on my hips and raised an eye brow. I brushed back the hair that fell in front of his eyes. "You need a hair cut."

"I thought you liked me better with long hair?"

"Just a trim, I love you with long hair, you're definitely more...sexy," I whispered the last part out into his ear and nibbled on his lobe a little. I then kissed his neck and made it to his lips.

"Mmm Hails, I don't know if we should," Nick pushed me away a little.

"I just want to kiss Nick."

"You're making it really hard not want to do more."

"I know," I smiled and continued to kiss Nick. A little while later I rolled over and faced Nick. He fought to to keep his eyes opened and I knew the medicine had kicked in. "Goodnight Nick," I gave him a small kiss and he pulled me to him. I rested my head on his chest, with an arm around my waist and we both fell asleep.

Nick's POVTwo weeks has passed since my accident and every day I was getting stronger and every day Hailey and I were becoming closer. I watched as she put her work clothes on, a tank top with the gym logo and a pair of shorts. She claimed that her outfit was the reason she took the job, she didn't really have to get dressed up for work.

"Can I come watch today?" I asked as she slipped on her flip flops.

"Why, are you getting sick of my Guitar Hero? I told you, you could practice as much as you wanted but you'd never reach expert like me." She smirked and put lip gloss on.

"That and I want to see what it is you do. You've seen me, come on."

"That's because I worked for you Nick."

"Gymnastics was always your first passion and besides the tumbling in the dance routines I never saw anything else."

"I'm going to be coaching Nick, not doing gymnastics. I can't bend my back any way because of surgery they did when I was paralyzed."

"I still want to see you."

"Alright, practice is four hour longs, you'll be bored."

"I get to watch you move around in those tiny shorts, I don't think I'll be bored," I winked and we went down stairs and got into her car. "You want to go out to dinner tonight?" I asked her.

"Sounds good."
~*~*~ At the Gym~*~*~
I sat in the bleachers that over looked the gym, my leg was stretched out next to me and I watched how good of a coach Hailey actually was. She was stern when she needed to be, and she had fun with her girls at the same time. They all seemed to respect her and did everything she asked them to and more. There were a couple of times I noticed her bring her hand up to her chest and take in a deep breath. I made a mental note to myself to ask her about her heart after class.

I was intrigued at what these young girls, kids were able to do with their bodies. I've seen the Olympics but those girls were all in their teens, these little ones were only about eight or nine years old and they were throwing flips and twists and jumps. And Hailey was able to do all of this at one point and more, she was going to the Olympic trials.

The four hours were up and she walked up to me at the end and took a seat. "Well?" She asked.

"You were amazing with them."

"Eh, I had to be a little intense with them because they were focusing on the Backstreet Boy in the bleachers."

"They recognized me?"

"Yeah, well, one of them did. The oldest, I told her you'd go over and meet her after she got dressed."

"I'd love to," I told Hailey and stood up. I went over to the girls, signed a few autographs and took some pictures. Twenty minutes later the gym was empty besides a small class of cheerleaders.

"Thanks for that Nick, she's going to the hot topic for the rest of the summer now with her friends." She laughed.

"You just owe me now."

"Owe you what?"

"What was your favorite piece of equipment?"

"The balance beam, why?" She raised an eye brow and I began walking over to the beams.

"Show me some of your moves," I smiled leaning on my crutches.

"Nick, I can maybe walk across the beam."

"You didn't some kind of routine?"

"Seriously?" She asked and I only smiled. She walked up to the beam, ran her hands across it and then pushed up onto her hands. She straddled the beam, her legs were held right in front of her and she pressed them up to a hand stand. She came down on one knee and did a pose. She stood up and then took a few steps doing a leap, a few more poses and then a straddle jump with a half turn in the middle. She then put her arms up, raised up on her toes, jumped and did a back flip, landing back on the beam. She then did some me dance moves and a double turn. Hailey did a cartwheel at the end of the beam and another back flip off landing on the ground. As she lifted her arms up, I began to clap.

"Maybe walk across huh?" I asked.

"That was like a level seven routine, without any back handsprings."

"You were what level?"

"Ten pretty much elite." She shrugged and smiled.

"It's hard for you to coach isn't it? To be around all of this that you gave up." I moved a little closer to her and she nodded her head.

"It's something that I'm good at and comes natural. But to wonder what I could've been."

"And if you had become an Olympic Champion, then we might not be here together, right now."

"Maybe not but I believe in fate."

"And everything happens for a reason. You got to be a dancer for the Backstreet Boys. Come on that's way cooler than a gymnast in the Olympics." I tried to joke.

"Yeah but I like to be center stage, not behind a group with another group."

"You're always on center stage, let's go get some dinner." She nodded her head and went to get her things.

"Where do you want to go? I'm not exactly dressed up for fancy."

"Fancy doesn't suit you. Let's just go to a Friday's or something."

"Tomorrow Nick, let's go to the beach."

"Let's go tonight."

"Really?"

"Doesn't matter, not like I can go in the water."

"Okay," Hailey smiled brightly and it made me feel good that was excited.

~*~*~The Beach~*~*~"So what's going to happen for the next album," Hailey asked me as we sat on the blanket sprawled out on the beach. The moon was almost full and it lit up the ocean.

"It's on hold a little while. Kevin is going to do some tracks with us and that will be great. After 'Unbreakable' it just didn't seem like the four of us were cutting it to be the Backstreet Boys."

"I can see that," she told me. I was thankful for her being right there as she lay against me. "You guys are around forever and you've already established that album after album after tours. You guys are the only so-called boy band around, besides the Jonas Brothers. And well, we saw how the Hanson brothers turned out."

"Funny. But you're right."

"Nick, why did you become so, well, tempered in Charleston when ya'll came down? The night we tried to talk, did you hate me that much?"

"Hailey I could never hate you. I was just angry with myself for ruining the best thing that had happened to me and that night I had a chance to make things right. I never thought it would be possible though, for us to be us again. It hurt so much to know that I'd never have you in my arms again. It's a good thing I'm wrong for the majority of the time."

"You had your girlfriend at the time..." she started and I put a finger up to her lips.

"She was there to try to fill the void you had left in my heart. And when I saw you, I saw the pain you still held because of me and I don't want to ever hurt you again."

"You won't," she smiled. "I can feel it, this time is-"

"Forever?" I cut her off.

"Let's take it day at a time Nick." She reached up, placed her hand on my face and kissed me.

"Hailey, how is your heart?"

"What? Where is this coming from? She asked.

"I saw you reach for your chest a few times today at work and noticed your runs were becoming shorter and you using your inhaler more than usual."

"Nick, like I told you that one day, it's just a bad heart. And I'm fine right now but I will need a transplant down the line...but most likely not until I'm old and grey."

"Have you been to the doctor lately?"

"I'm not worried about it, neither should you be."

"That's usually when I need to be the most worried."

"I'm fine. We're focusing on getting you better and us closer." She said closer into my ear and kissed my neck. "I want to stay like this forever."

"Okay," I agreed and kissed her cheek. "Hey Hailey?"

"Hmm?" She asked, her head tilted back and looking up into the starry night.

"Can I ask you something else?"

"Of course."

"Are you completely recovered?" I asked with hesitance. She sat up off me and leaned over her knees.

"From?"

"Your eating disorder." I watched as she brought her knees up to her chest and could tell she was uncomfortable talking about it.

"I'd like to say yes Nick. There is nothing more I want than to move away and forward and act as though it was never a part of me. But it's something I struggle with each day. Some days are harder than others but for the majority of the time I'm okay. It's part of me Nick and I just have to learn to live with it." She then looked into my eyes. "If you can't handle that Nick then I can understand if you don't want be with me."

"Hey, don't talk like that. I was just trying to get a better understanding of how it all works. I'll be here for the days that aren't so good, just be completely honest with me." She nodded her head and wrapped her arms around my neck, I pulled her into me; inhaling her perfume.

"I want to be perfect for you," she whispered.

"You are beyond perfect. I couldn't ask for anyone better, like you said, you don't know what you have until it's gone, like really gone. I took you for granted the times we were together and now, now I want to spend each moment with you as if it's our last."

"Nick stop sticking things down your cast, you're going to get something stuck down there," I told Nick.

"But it itches! I want this damn thing off," Nick whined.

"You only have two more weeks Nick."

"I'm not going to make it," Nick threw down the hanger he had on the ground and let out a frustrated moan.

"You've done it before. You can make it."

"Exactly, I just did this two years ago. Damn leg."

"Suck it up. What do you want to do this weekend?"

"Hmm, I don't know things are kind of limited."

"Stop feeling sorry for yourself, jeeze," I laughed and sat next to Nick, placing my chin on his shoulder.

"Dinner, movie? We haven't done a date in a while and I want to get out of the house."

"Sounds good, I'll look up some movies online." I jumped up and went over to the laptop that sat on the counter. I typed in the search engine of the nearest Regal Cinemas and started reading off movies to Nick.

"Let's go see 'Wanted', referring to the latest Angelina Jolie movie."

"Alright, late or early? When do you want to go to dinner."

"Before like around six-thirty?"

"Okay there is an 8:50 movie we can go to after."

"It's five o'clock now, what do you want to do until then?" Nick wiggled his eye-brows.

"I think you have something in mind Mr. Carter," I leaned inward for a kiss.

"Let's go up stairs," Nick smiled and then stood up. I handed him his crutches and went up stairs.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"That movie was sick!" Nick said in excitement as we made our way back to the car.

"You just wanted Angelina the whole time."

"Why would I want her, when I have you?" Nick asked.

"Cause she is hot and sexy and thin."

"Hailey?" Nick stopped at the car and reached for my arm as I went to take the keys out of my purse.

"Sorry," I pulled away and searched again for my keys.

"No what is it?" Nick's eyes remained on me. I let out a sigh and unlocked the car.

"I'm just not feeling great about dinner." I opened the door and got in. Nick followed, and put his crutches in the back seat.

"What are you talking about? You had a salad and salmon."

"And then we shared that piece of cake."

"Shared Hails."

"I know I know...this sometimes happens." I gripped the steering wheel with both hands after I started it.

"What can I do?"

"Nothing, I'll be fine," I glanced over and smiled to Nick. He gave me a look of concern as I drove home. I had turned the music on, trying to a voice any further conversation from Nick and our ride home was quiet.

Once back home, it was eleven thirty and we got ready for bed. Nick got ready before me and was already in bed watching late night TV. I finished washing my face and as I dried it, I stared into the mirror briefly.

"Snap out of it, you ate healthy all day, you worked out and it wasn't like you binged." I told myself. My eyes then caught the reflecting of Nick's scale in the mirror. I bit my bottom lip and walked over to it. I stepped on the top with my bare feet as though I was stepping on glass. I closed my eyes as the digital numbers continued to go up.

"Hails?" Nick called out but I hadn't heard him. Taking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly I opened my eyes. "Baby what are you doing?" I heard Nick's voice then and quickly stepped off and turned around.

"I was just coming to bed," my eyes avoided Nick's.

"Talk to me, don't shut me out. I told you, I'm here for the bad days too."

"I'm just being silly. I know first of all not to weigh myself at night."

"How much was it?"

"Nick it's not important. I shouldn't be worrying about those numbers anyway."

"Can you do me a favor please? It would help me feel better knowing how much you weigh."

"Nick I-"

"Hails," he whispered and set his crutches against the counter and hopped closer to me.

"Nick I'm okay, I'm not slipping I promise."

"I know you're not but you're still heeling and I know it's going to take time," he pulled me to him. His arms were comfort around me and I wrapped mine around him.

"One-nineteen." Nick only nodded and kissed the top of my head. At that moment I felt relaxed and I wasn't worrying about the numbers any more or what I had for dinner.

"I want to go snuggle," I looked up at Nick and smiled.

"Me too," he smiled back and took his crutches. Things were going to be okay I thought as we climbed into bed.

"I'm so thankful to have you back in my life, I love you Nick." I kissed him.

"As am I."
~*~*~*~A Week Later~*~*~*
Nick's POV:

"Just because you have a walking cast on Nick doesn't mean you should be over doing it." Hailey told me as we found a place at the beach to sit. I had gotten my cast off yesterday and they put on a black removable boot. I was still on crutches because I couldn't put my full weight on, but I was allowed to take the cast off when I wasn't moving around; for that I was happy.

"I won't be, we're here at the beach now and I can go in the water with you and the sexy bikini you have working for you," I winked.

"Yeah, I feel like just lying here," she told me lying on the blanket we spread out.

"You haven't felt like doing much the past week. You get up, we do some errands together you work and then want to go to bed. She shrugged and put her sunglasses on.

"So what time is Brian and the rest of the guys coming?"

"Not until late tonight, it's going to be fun."

"Well, I cleaned the house like crazy this morning so you better not destroy it within a day."

"Hey! That's why we're here."

"It's hot today, can you toss me a water babe?" I reached into the cooler and pulled out a water and tossed it to her.

"Thanks," she took a sip from it and lay back down.

"Let's go in the water."

"Nick, give me a few minutes."

"You'll still get your sun in the water. Please, I'm anxious to get in."

"Really? I couldn't tell." She laughed lightly and sat up. "Alright, how do you want to do this because you can't walk; and if you get that thing wet, the inside will take forever to dry."

"I can wear it in the water, I'll just put no weight on my leg and use the crutches when we leave."

"Alright," she stood up, put her sunglasses on the blanket. "Let's go." I slowly made my way down the beach out the water. The hard sand made it a little easier to walk on the crutches. Once to the water, I tossed the crutches up the beach a little away from the water and Hailey got on my right side to help me in.

"This is harder than I thought it would be." I struggled into the water and finally made it in.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, just don't let go," I warned her and she had her arm around my waist. The water felt good and trying to tread with the waves was giving me a work out.

"So what do you have planned on doing with the guys while they're here."

"Cookout tomorrow and talking about getting the album started again."

"That's good," she coughed.

"What you don't want us to start the album?"

"No sorry, I think it's great!"

"Yeah Trish and A.J. will be over tonight for dinner. I figured we could make pasta and salad?"

"Sounds good," she then started coughing again.

"Are you drinking the water or something?" I joked and splashed her.

"No, thanks for your concern!" She pushed my shoulders down. We continued to play around for a bit enjoying the cool water. A few minutes later I felt her grab my arm. "Nick can we get out?"

"What already? This is good therapy for my leg," I told her.

"I just, I need-" she began coughing and wheezing.

"Inhaler?" I asked getting her focus into my eyes and she nodded. We made our way back up to the shore, and I had my arm around her as I hopped up to reach my crutches. She was breathing harder now. "Go get it, I'm fine." I told her and she only shook her head in agreement and went up to where our things were. I watched as she dropped to her knees and dug through her beach bag. She took it out and shook it a few times, put into her aerochamber and took in the medicine.

When I finally reached her, she was taking in deep slow breaths trying to get things under control again. "You okay now?" I asked with concern sitting down.

"Yeah, sorry I don't know what triggered it."

"You should've told me sooner you needed it."

"I didn't know it would turn into that," she lay down. When ever she had an asthma attack it always took a lot out of her. I unstrapped the boot on my leg and lay it open on the blanket to dry out. With this sun, it should only take an hour to dry out.

"Did you want to go baby?"

"No, I'm okay now. Let's relax," she smiled and put her sunglasses on.
~*~*~*
"So where is your better half?" A.J. asked me with Trish on his side as they walked in.

"Taking a nap, but she should be up soon."

"So the leg is healing up?"Trish asked sitting in the living room.

"Yeah, almost there," I told them sitting down.

"When is Rok and D getting in?"

"Not until like ten tonight."

"How are things between you and Hailey?" Trisha asked.

"Great, I think we've finally got things right this time around."

"About time,so when is dinner?"

"A.J. don't be so rude."

"Nah I'm used to him," I told Trish. "The pasta sauce is just simmering and the pasta is boiling now. Hailey insisted it be almost ready by the time you came."

"Love that woman," A.J. said.

"Love you too," Hailey said stifling a yawn walking in.

"Hey girl!" A.J. stood up and gave her a hug and she walked over to Trish, giving her a hug.

"You guys been here long?" She asked.

"Nope just got here."

"I'll go get dinner finished," she started walking to the kitchen.

"Hey want me to help?"

"Nope, you got it started. Hang out," she gave me a kiss.

"She alright? Her voice is a little hoarse."

"She just woke up, leave her alone," Trish slapped A.J.'s arm.

"Hailey actually had an asthma attack earlier, that usually causes her throat and lungs to be a little rough. She's okay though."

"That girl needs a break from life," Trish said shaking her head. "I'm going to see if she needs help." She stood up and went to find Hailey.

"I'm thinking we discuss a serious world tour with this album we're going to do. We gotta go back to 'Millennium' style."

"That's going to be a lot of work J," I told him.

"It will be worth it though, I think we owe it to our fans because our last couple of albums were okay but not really 'wow' albums."

"I get that but I don't know if Brian would go for that and if Kevin is going to do some tracks,I'm not sure how it will work."

"Is Kevin coming tomorrow?"

"No, he'll be here tomorrow."

"Well, it's something to consider."

"Dinner in five minute guys," Trish came out and told us.

"We'll figure it out this week," I told A.J. and we stood up to go to the dining room.

Hailey's POV:

The next afternoon, I was running around my townhouse trying to get everything ready for the barbecue. It was nice to have everyone over because of Nick's leg but it was a lot of work. The guys decided on having their get together in South Carolina, since it was an easy way for everyone to meet up. The ones who lived the furthest was Alex; he still lived in California; but that's why he came the night before.

"I can't believe you went out just now and bought a grill," I told Nick as I prepared a toss salad.

"I can't believe you didn't have one."

"My George Foreman works just fine for me to grill chicken and my turkey burgers on."

"Yeah well we don't have two days to cook all this meat," A.J. said holding up the hamburger buns.

"Why do you keep checking your watch?" Howie asked taking a sip of his wine.

"I am? I didn't even realize." I held back my smile. Truth was I had a surprise for the guys.

"Tomorrow you're meeting with your record label?" Katie asked how wrapping her arms around him.

"Yeah, they're being pretty cool about coming out here from New York." Nick smiled leaning against the counter.

"You guys must be excited to get another CD moving!" I smiled and put the salad on the table outside and came back in from the deck.

"Yeah I just hope we can come up with some ideas to make this big." Howie said seriously.

"I'm sure you will," Trish told him.

"I'm hungry," Nick said. "Why can't I put the meat on the grill yet?"

"Just give it another half hour or so." I patted his arm and glanced down at my watch again. "Where is B?"

"Living room, watching a basket ball game." Nick said and I walked out.

"Hey doll," I plopped myself down next to Brian on the couch.

"Hi," he smiled.

"You okay? You've been distant since you got in last night." I looked at him and he shrugged his shoulders; not taking his eyes off the screen.

"I'm good," he replied a minute later. His eyes didn't seem as blue as they usually were and he looked tired.

"Brian, I don't want things between us to-"

"We're fine Hailey," he cut me off and turned the TV off and stood up. As a reaction, I reached for Brian's wrist and stood up. "What?" He asked.

"Bri, talk to me. We're supposed to be best friends."

"Things can't be the same Hailey and you know it. It's great you and Nick can just pick up from where you left off; but I can't."

"Why can't we Brian? That's not fair."

"You have NO right to tell me what's fair and what's not fair." He snapped and I stumbled back. His eyes were protruding with hurt and anger, a side of Brian I couldn't remember ever seeing.

"Everything alright in here?" Nick asked coming in.

"Everything fine," I said coldly looking into Brian's eyes and walked away. If that's how Brian wanted things to be, then I'd make sure he got what he wanted.

"What was that about?" Nick asked Brian.

"Nothing important," he shook his head. Just as Nick was about to press things further the doorbell rang.

"Got it!"I ran to the door and opened it up. "HEY!" I said loudly and reached my arms out for a hug.

"What are you getting all excited for Hail-KEVIN?!" Nick had come up to the door. "What are you doing here?"

"Hi to you too Nick," Kevin laughed and pulled him in for a gentle hug, being careful not to his crutches.

"Let him in Nick," I laughed and held the door open wider and closed it behind Kevin.

"What's all the commotion?" Howie asked and when he saw Kevin he reacted the same as Nick.

"Let's go outside," I smiled and everyone went out to the deck where a large table with an umbrella was. There was a cool breeze crossing over and it felt good in the heat.

"So, you going to tell us now why you're here?" A.J. asked as he took a seat next to Nick.

"Hailey helped me get down here and plan this out. I have something I'd like to ask you guys," Kevin's green eyes sparkled as he smiled.

"What's going on?" Howie asked tilting his head.

"I've been doing some thinking and I've talked to Kristen about it. I was wondering if you guys would have me back to the band."

"I thought we already agreed on doing some of the songs on the album together?" Nick questioned.

"Yes, but I mean like helping you write the album and record with you in every song and even tour." Kevin bit his bottom lip and looked at each of his brother's eyes.

"Seriously?" A.J asked leaning forward.

"Seriously if you'll have me back."

"This is going to be a sick album!" A.J. jumped up and hugged Kevin as did Howie and Nick.

"Brian?" Kevin asked as he noticed his cousin hadn't said a word or moved from his seat.

"I'm going to go get the burgers ready," I told everyone and stood up. I kissed Nick's cheek and saw Brian shake his head.

"Brian?" Kevin asked again.

"Pay no attention to him, he's been grumpy all day," Nick joked.

"No it's perfect because I'm not going to do this next album or tour," Brian then stood up from his chair and opened the sliding glass door to go inside. Everyone stared dumbfounded and watched as Brian went out of sight.

"Where is this coming from?" Kevin asked looking at Nick.

"I haven't talked to him actually in a few weeks since after he left here." Nick shrugged.

I was in the kitchen getting everything out of the refrigerator when I saw Brian storm in and then head for the front door.

"Brian?" I called out and began following him. "Brian talk to me," I said and then he slammed the door in my face. I sighed, opened it up and jogged to catch up to him. He had already made it down the drive way. "Where are you going?" I asked getting next to him.

"Leave me alone Hailey," he said sharply and sped his walking up.

"No, talk to me," I pulled his arm and turned him around sharply.

"Nothing to talk about," he pulled his arm back hard and I lost my balanced and fell down on the pavement. I stared up at him in disbelief and he even looked shocked at what he just did. I pushed myself up and put my face into his. "I'm sorry," he whispered and dropped his head. I put my hands on his cheeks and raised his head up.

"Talk to me," I said making him look into my eyes. I watched as his eyes filled with tears and they shifted back and forth into my eyes. "You're still my best friend Bri, talk to me," my thumbs stroked his flushed cheeks.

"I can't be friends with you Hailey, can't you see that?" He asked and pulled away from me.

"What are you talking about?" I asked shaking my head and ran a hand through my hair. "Stop running away and tell me what is going on," I took his hand into mine.

"ISN'T IT OBVIOUS?" He asked raising his voice. "You're that naive or you just don't want to see the truth?"

"Brian..." I breathed knowing what he was talking about then. "I thought you, I, I thought we were okay?"

"Why because you and Nick are happy and in love again?"

"I never stopped loving Nick and you know that. But you know you have such a special place in my heart." I told him sincerely.

"Please I was just there in replace of Nick until you got him back."

"Brian you know that's not true."

"Do I? Do you know what you're saying? Think about everything we went through together HAILEY!"

"What do you want me to tell you Brian? You were for me during really hard times and I am more than thankful for having you in my life and for everything you have done for me! I'm sorry if things didn't go how you wanted them to but isn't it better that things didn't go further than what they did? We made out once and kissed once, that's it! And the first time we were both drunk. Let it go!"

"I'm trying to let it go can't you see that? The only way I can do that is by letting you go and letting Nick go."

"You canNOT punish him for whatever you thought happened between us!" Our voices were full of emotion and we were practically screaming at each other now.

"I have to do what is best for me."

"Then fine! GO and tell Nick why you're being so damn selfish Brian! Who the hell are you and when did you change?"

"When you became heartless!" He spat in my face.

"Where is this coming from? 'So, we all change. We're always changing into the person we're going to become, every day we go through things to become stronger and be that person. But that does not change your heart, YOU control your heart. Does that sound familiar Brian?! Those were your EXACT words a month ago when you came to see me. You are not this cold and bitter person. I'm sorry if I hurt you, I truly am and never meant to! You told me you were fine when you left. Since when do we lie to each other?! "

At that moment my heart began to flutter unevenly and I knew I was having heart palpitations. My mind raced to when I took my heart medicine that day, did I take it? Usually around ten in the morning I took it. I glanced down at my watch and it said one-thirty.

"I'm not doing this. Think and do what you want Brian and maybe you'll..." my voice trailed off as I tried to catch my breath and the sharp pains in my chest caused me to reach up and clutch my chest. "Maybe you'll open your eyes one day and see the truth." I turned away and headed back to my house. I walked passed Nick who was standing outside and leaning against the door frame.

"What's going on with you two?" He questioned shifting on his crutches.

"Hold on," I told him and went up stairs to get my medicine. I opened my medicine cabinet and looked through the variety of prescription bottles I had. My chest was becoming tighter and I managed to swipe down all the bottles and I hung onto the sink as I fell to my knees in pain.

"Hailey?" I heard Katie's voice call out. "Nick said you came up here upset, you okay?" She then entered the bathroom. "Hails! What's wrong?"

"Give me the blue bottle," I told her with my head down. She did as I asked and then ran out of the room; I assumed that she was going to get Nick. I opened the bottle took out two large pills, put them on my tongue and reached up for an old glass of water that sat on the counter. I sat down and leaned against the cabinet and swallowed the pills.

"Baby what's going on?" Nick came in quickly on his crutches and put them against the wall and knelt down by me. He brushed my hair out of my eyes and tried to look me in the eye. "You're sweating, Katie get her a wash cloth please." Katie did as Nick asked as he then tried to find out what was going on. I just tried to concentrate on my breathing to get my heart back on track.

Katie gave him the wash cloth and he put it on the back of my neck and it felt good. "I'm fine," I finally said.

"Another asthma attack?" He asked rubbing my arm.

"No, I forgot to take my heart medicine and was just having some palpitations. It's almost normal now." My head still hung low and my knees were drawn up to my chest; my arms hugging them.

"You're pretty pale, are you light headed?" Nick asked.

"Um," I lifted my head and did notice the room to slightly spin. "I think I just need to lay down." I let out a deep breath and Nick stood up. He then reached for my hand and I took it as he pulled me to my feet. I felt sick to my stomach and leaned into his chest. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my forehead.

"Go slow," he told me. I nodded my head and then slowly made it to my room. Thankfully it was dark and I plopped myself down in my bed.

"Nick, tell everyone I'm sorry but I think I'm going to stay in here for the night."

"It's only two baby, get some rest then come back down."

"Go talk to Brian Nick."

"Yeah I heard you two, you were getting intense."

"I don't know what set him off. He was fine when he left and I've talked to him since."

"Have you though? I know I really haven't. I've been focusing on making up time we lost with you."

"I'm a terrible person."

"If you are, I don't even want to know what I am. I'll go talk to him and then you can talk to him again later. It's Brian for heavens sake, he doesn't ever hold anything. Take a nap, I'll come get you in a couple hours." Nick kissed my lips and walked out of the room.

I curled myself up into a ball, hugged a pillow and closed my eyes re-hashing everything that Brian and I argued over. Within a few minutes I fell asleep.

Nick's POV

"Do you want to explain what is going on between you and Hailey?" I asked Brian.

"Not your concern." He said upset.

"My girlfriend is in a fight with my best friend, whom I must add both had a fling for each other." I heard my voice raise and Brian's eyes finally met mine.

"I'm sorry Nick. I guess it's just hard because she was there right after Leigh Anne and I broke things off and I haven't had Bailey in a while."

"I understand man but I think you need to take care of yourself for this divorce. Hailey wants to be there for you."

"I know..."

"Let her in and let me in."

"I'll try, I'm sorry."

"It's okay, let's go eat. I think Kevin finished the burgers."

"Sounds good. I'll go up stairs and have her come eat and make things up."

"Good." I patted Brian's shoulder and watched as he went up stairs.

~*~Brian's POV~*~
I carefully went into the bedroom where Hailey was sleeping and went up to the bed. Her face looked peaceful but her breathing was bit shallow. I sat on the edge and put my hand on her shoulder. "Hails wake up, dinner is ready." I shook her gently and leaned over her. "Hailey," I said again.

"Hmm?" She murmured and rolled over a little.

"Hey you, dinner is ready."

"I'm not hungry."

"Hail's I'm sorry."

"It's okay Brian," she smiled and sat up a little. I watched as she brought her hand to her head.

"You alright?"

"I don't feel right."

"Maybe you need to eat."

"Maybe," she pushed the covers away from her and slowly sat up all the way. She held onto the bed post with one hand and her other hand went to her chest. "I'm fine," she pulled a fake smile and we walked down stairs together. Everyone was out on the deck already sitting down and eating.

"There they are," Kevin smiled. "Turkey burger?" He offered Hailey and she nodded and took a sea next to Nick. I watched as Nick pulled her face to his and kissed her forehead. His eyes narrowed at her eyes and then put his hand on her forehead. I wondered if she had a fever. She pushed Nick's hand away and reached for the glass of water that sat in front of her.

"I'd like to make a toast," Howie said holding his glass of wine up. "Here is to Backstreet's Back!"

"ALRIGHT!" The four of us chimed in together and we broke out to a laugh. Maybe this was going to be good for me, especially having Kevin back. It felt like a whole. We made small talk around the meal, sharing stories and excitement for the new album and what kind of sound we wanted to make made the next two hours fly by. We all helped clean up the kitchen and I walked up to Hailey who was washing some of the dishes.

"Are we good?" I asked.

"Of course, you're stubborn and Nick's friend. We're good Bri," she smiled and leaned and kissed my cheek. "You're my best friend."

"Ditto," I told her.

"Is that a basketball court across the street?" Howie asked eagerly.

"Yeah, I have a ball in the garage if you guys want to go play. They have lights on the court too, it's nice."

"Let's go!" I made her drop the glass she was drying and pulled her away from the sink.

"Let me put sneakers on," she told me with a smile and I went to find Nick.

"We're going to play some ball, and well, you're going to be ref." I told Nick.

"Man that sucks," he whined.

"I'm not the one with the broken leg." I told him.

"I know, I'll be kicking your ass on the court soon enough. You'll need all the practice you can get." Nick jabbed back at me. The large group of us made our way outside and across the street to the court.

~*~*Nick's POV*~*~
I watched as Kevin and Brian got ready for the tip off. Because of the height difference, Kevin won easily to the tip off I had thrown the ball up in the air. I moved off to the side and watched as Hailey got into the game. I loved to watch her toned legs move, showing off her tanned muscles. She got the ball and passed it to Katie who then passed it to Howie. He ran and did a lay up making two points.

Kevin then got the ball and dribbled to the center line and pushed through Brian. He jumped and made a three pointer. When did he become so good I thought.

"Come on old man," Kevin threatened his cousin.

"Me? You're way older than I! I believe that's grey in your hair!" Brian dribbled the ball and did a jump shot.

"Hailey!" Brian passed the ball to Hailey and she got the ball. She passed it to Howie then once she was open he passed it back to her. I watched as she ran and dribbled the ball; just as she reached the net both her knees went from under her and she hit the pavement hard. I quickly made my way to her; the rest of the group was surrounding her already. I assumed her knee just gave out on her and pushed through.

"Call 911!" Brian yelled and my stomach sank as I watched him perform CPR.
~*~*~*~
"Come back to us Hails," Brian yelled giving her chest compressions and Kevin gave her mouth to mouth.

"W-what's wrong?" I asked now sitting on the ground. I felt Katie's hands on my shoulders and saw how pale Hailey was.

"Still no heart beat?" A.J. asked with his cell phone to his ear.

"NO!" Brian yelled. My head felt light, I didn't know what was going on.

"An ambulance is on their way!" A.J. yelled. "Give them room," A.J. and Howie helped me to my feet and I stumbled backwards.

"It's beating!" Brian yelled. "Hails can you hear me? Open your eyes!" I had three pairs of hands on me still as I watched the love of my life on the ground.

"Is-she breathing?" I choked out, all of my weight was on my crutches and I was thankful for A.J. and Howie on either side of me.

"She is," Kevin said breathlessly. He must've been exhausted from doing CPR. He felt for her pulse again. "It's faint but it's beating."

Everyone stood in shock and the only thing to break the silence was the ambulance pulling up and two men running with a gurney to us. Kevin explained what happened and a oxygen mask was put over her face, and IV hooked to her arm and they put a board under her body.

"Nick!"

"What?" My attention went to Brian.

"The EMT asked you what medicine is she on?"

"Um, I- her heart medicine."

"We'll need you to get it and bring it to the hospital." One EMT told me and they pushed her to the ambulance.

"Brian go with her please. I can't because of my crutches and I have to get her meds."

"Of course, I'll call you as soon as we get there. She'll be okay," he pulled me in for a hug and he ran off in he direction of the ambulance and climbed in. Did this all really just happen? We were having such a great day.

"Come on, let's get back to the house so we can meet them there." Howie squeezed my shoulder and guided me back to the town house. I wanted to sprint to the house to get to the hospital but there was no way on the crutches. Once in side, I packed three perscription bottles in a plastic bag, grabbed a large hoody of mine and we packed into two cars to go to the hospital. I sat up front with Kevin who kept stealing glances at me. I kept glancing at the speedometer, wanting him to go faster but also knew we had to get there in one piece.

We another ten minute drive when my phone went off and I picked it up.

"Brian how is she?"

"She's stable right now, they have her hooked up to a bunch of monitors. But they're trying to get a donor Nick." I closed my eyes, I knew her heart was bad but she told me she wouldn't need one for a another couple of years.

"How long?" I asked my eyes still shut tight.

"Nick wait till you get here-"

"HOW LONG BRIAN?!" I yelled and tears began to spill from my eyes.

"Forty-eight hours." I let the phone drop from my hands and put my face into them.

"Nick?" I heard Kevin ask and he reached for the phone on the ground. "Brian?" He held the phone to his ear. "I see, we'll be there soon." He closed my phone and I heard the engine speed up. Kevin pulled into the parking lot and I slowly got out of the car. I felt extremely weak and Kevin had his arm around my waist. I knew I needed to be stronger than this for Hailey but I could barely pick up my feet and with a broken leg that was hard.

"Katie can you get a wheel chair, I don't think he's going to make it all the way inside," he whispered to her as we got to the side walk. "Nick just hang tight for a sec." He told me still holding onto me. Katie rushed inside and came back out. They both helped me sit, Katie took my crutches and Kevin pushed me inside. We went to where Brian was, in the corner of the waiting room pacing back and forth.

"I need to see her," I told Brian. He had obviously been crying himself and he knelt down.

"Nick they're going to have to put her in a coma, the doctors were waiting for you until they did." I didn't ask why, I guess it was partly because of the amount of pain she was in and that it would be less stress on her heart.

"They'll take her out of it when she gets the heart?" I asked.

"Yeah buddy, come on," Brian stood up and and took Kevin's place and pushed me down the hall. We went through a curtain and up to a bed that looked like it was from a different time period. There were so many machines. "Nick there's a chance she won't..." I held my hand up to stop Brian from finishing his sentence. I stood up and hobbled closer to her bed and sat ever so gently on the edge. I took her hand into mine and kissed it. Brian walked out of the room and I then leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

"Baby, it's me. I'm here." I told her, doing my best to keep my composure. "Can you hear me?" I squeezed her hand lightly and she watched as her eyes fluttered open. The only color in the whole room seemed to be her blue eyes. At that moment, more tears fell from my cheeks and I smiled greatful she was with me still. "Hey you," I brushed her cheek with my thumb.

"Hey," her voice was faint and I could really only make out he shapes of her lips as she said the word.

"I'm so sorry," I kissed her hand again and she took her finger and brought it to my lips.

"Shh."

"I love you so much baby. You need to stay strong for a little while longer until the Doctor's can get your new heart in."

"I love you," she smiled and a single tear rolled from the corner of her eye.

"I'm not going to leave your side. I'm right here okay?" She nodded her head and closed her eyes again. "I had Katie call your brother, but the doctor's can't wait for him to come. He's on his way though. Everyone is the waiting room. Worrying about you." I laughed lightly. "We need to stop doing these hospital visits. Between you and I, we've spent a year here."

Her eyes then opened again and she squeezed my hand softly. "Nick if I don't-" she coughed a little then started again. "If I don't make it. Please don't hold on. I know the chances of finding a new heart and..." her voice trailed and her eyes closed. I could tell she was in pain and all I wanted to do wa hold her.

"Don't talk like that. You're going to be fine. And when you get out of here, I want you to spend the rest of your life with me and be my wife."

"Are you asking...me...to marry you Carter?"

"I am. Hailey will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?"

"Yes," she nodded her head and more tears spilled from her eyes. I leaned forward and kissed her lips.

"I'm sorry Mr. Carter but we need you step out of the room while we do this." A doctor told me and I knew they meant put her into the coma. I looked at the doctor and nodded.

"I will be right back as soon as you're sleeping baby. And I'll be here when you open those beautiful eyes again."

"Tell everyone I love them please," and it broke my heart to see more tears fall as she said those words.

"I will and they love you. I'll see you soon okay?" She nodded her head as I pressed my forehead to hers. I kissed her lips one more time, perhaps for the last time ever. "I love you Mrs. Carter." I whispered in her ear.

"I love you..." she held onto my hand and I stood up and sat back in the wheel chair. Brian had come back in and walked up to the bed.

"I'll see you when you wake up. God is with you, we're all with you. I love you," Brian kissed her cheek and then pushed me out of the room. I then completely lost it and broke into a loud hysterics. Brian didn't go further down the hall but stopped and came around in front of me. His arms embraced me in a brotherly hug and held tight. "God please guide Hailey through this and send her an angel to watch over her and protect her." I heard him say softly.

**********You whispered that you were getting tired
Got a look in your eye
Looks a lot like goodbye.
Hold on to your secrets tonight.
Don't want to know I'm ok with this silence
It's truth that i don't want to hear

You're hiding regret in your smile
There's a storm in your eyes I've seen coming for awhile
Hold on to the past tense tonight
Don't say a word
I'm ok with the quiet.
The truth is gonna change everything.

So lie to me and tell me that it's gonna be alright
So lie to me and tell me that we'll make it through the night
I don't mind if you wait before you tear me apart
Look me in the eye
Lie lie lie.

Lie lie lie.

I know that there's no turning back.
If we put too much light on this we'll see through all the cracks.
Let's stay in the dark one more night.
Don't want to know i'm ok with the silence.
It's truth that i don't want to hear.

So lie to me and tell me that it's gonna be alright
So lie to me and tell me that we'll make it through the night
I don't mind if you wait before you tear me apart
So look me in the eye
And lie lie lie.

Don't want to believe in this ending
Let the cameras roll on
Keep pretending
Tomorrow's all wrong if you walk away
Just stay

So lie to me and tell me that it's gonna be alright
So lie to me and tell me that we'll make it through the night
I don't mind if you wait before you tear me apart
Look me in the eye
And lie lie lie.

So lie to me and tell me that we're gonna be ok
So lie to me and tell me that we'll make it through the day
I don't mind if you wait before you tear me apart
Look me in the eye
And lie lie lie.

*******David Cook "Lie"

Another minute passed and I felt more arms around me, someone squeezing my hands and someone kissing the top of my head. A.J., Howie, Kevin and Katie were all there. I'm not sure how long we stood like that, I'm sure it was a sight to see as we all said our own personal prayers and thoughts for Hailey. I then heard a familiar sound.

"Nick?" The voice broke the group hug apart and everyone backed away a little, not a dry eye from one.


"Nathan," my voice broke and he came closer. Brian explained everything again and Katie wrapped her arms around Nathan as he took the news one more time.

"So, she's in a coma now?"

"Until they get her new heart," Katie said as quick as she could.

"It was a matter of time," he said shaking his head. "I need to see her."

"Right through there," Brian showed him and let him go in by himself.

"So, guys, Nick asked Hailey to marry him, she said yes." Brian said trying to brighten up the mood.

"Congrats man!" A.J. pulled me in for another hug. I felt numb and at the moment I wanted to be alone, I wanted to be with Hailey but knew Nathan needed his time. He didn't get to say his goodbye like I did. The next two days would be the longest days of my life and that's only if she had a heart and was awake after the surgery.

I sat in the chair for day two that was across from Hailey's bed. A blanket had been put around me, and another chair propped my legs up. Untouched food sat on a table next to me and my eyes followed the pattern of the heart monitor. Day two. Almost forty-eight hours. If no heart would come within the next ten hours, Doctor's were certain they would have to put Hailey onto life support to keep heart pumping; making her come out of the coma a lot harder; and she would. Her chances were fading but I was determined she would come out of all this and be brand new. Her brother stayed with me, yet he seemed to have his head on a little straighter than I had my own. It was like Nathan came to terms already but knowing his life; he was always ready for a fall.

I don't think I had actually slept yet, afraid that the moment I actually closed my eyes, I'd lose the best thing to ever walk into my life. So many times I took our relationship for granted, took her for granted when all she ever did was love me. I would marry her as soon as she was strong enough to walk down the isle. I'd pick out a ring that could only compliment her beauty as soon as her eyes were opened and we'd have the perfect wedding, perfect life and perfect family some day. I glanced down at my watch, one pm. I don't even know what happened yesterday. I think she had visitors come in and out, my focus was on her.

We've been through too much for everything to just end this way. After this was over, I'd never spend a day without her again.

I must've finally gave in to the heavyness of my eyes because I woke to a rush coming through the room. Doctor's were in and out as well as nurses and things were being moved around.

"What's going on?" I asked standing up. A nurse came up to me with a big grin on her face.

"They're prepping her for surgery."

"She has a heart?"

"She has a heart Mr. Carter," Erin, the nurse who had been more than helpful during all this squeezed both of my shoulders. "A beautiful, young heart. Now the surgery will be almost five hours long. I'll be sure to keep you updated. Go tell her family the good news," she smiled again and pushed me a little to the door. I felt a huge weight lift off me as I limped out to the waiting room where I knew Katie and Nathan would be.

"Hey Nick," Katie stood up and like she always did when she saw me, she gave me a warm hug.

"They have a heart!" I somehow found my voice.

"Oh my God!" Katie squeeled and jumped up hugging me again. Nathan sat down and let out a long sigh. "I'll go call Howie!" She turned away and took her cell phone out and went outside to call.

"We just have to get through the surgery and make sure her body accepts it." I told Nathan sitting down. He nodded his head staring at the floor. "She'll pull through Nate." I faced him a little.

"I had already given up..." His voice trailed off.

"I know."

"I'm a horrible brother. You never gave up once."

"You have to fight for what you love. You've been through a lot with her though."

"So have you."

"Sometimes, accepting the worse is easier than wondering what if." I explained and we sat in the waiting room in silence for another hour. Soon, the waiting room was filled with the guys, co-workers, a few of her gymnasts. Balloons, flowers, cards, gifts were in each hand waiting to give to Hailey for her to wake up from this nightmare. It was just after two pm when she entered the O.R. and it was just a little before six pm. It's been four hours, the nurse told me she'd be done if everything went well by this time. She came out one time two hours ago letting us know things were going well so far.

At this point I was pacing, well more like limping with this stupid boot on my foot still.

"You should get off that leg if you want it to heal Nick." Brian told me handing me a water.

"I can't. She should be done twenty minutes ago."

"Remember they took an extra hour on my heart and they were just repairing a hole. This is an entire heart."

"I know. No news is good news right?"

"Exactly." Brian smiled and glanced at my watch again. It was already six thrity and I took a seat in the only empty chair. As if on cue a Doctor came out, pulling off his surgeon mask, walking up to the large group. Everyone stopped their side talking and eyes were glued on the grey haired Doctor. I stood up, Brian's hand was on my shoulder and I felt sick to my stomach.

"The surgery wen't well, no complications at all. Her body is responding amazingly to the new heart and we're waiting for her to wake up." There were loud cheers and I sighed realizing I had been holding my breath. "The next twenty four hours of course will be crucial to her recovery and making sure she has no infections. Right now, only immediate family members will be allowed to see her, after she has come out. But we do expect a full recovery." I walked over to Nathan and gave him a hug.

"Hear that brother in law?" I asked. "She's going to be okay." He looked up at me tears in his eyes and I was surprised that I didn't have any of my own spilling from my eyes.

The waiting room began to clear out and it was just the group of us again. Erin, the nurse, had told us it could take up to two hours before she woke up because of the induced coma and the anthesetics. I sat down, trying to think of anything but the worse case scenario. I wanted time to fly by, I needed time to fly by.

So much we've been through. "God, there's no way you'd put us through all that if you didn't think we could pull out strong, bring her back to me," I prayed silently, my hands folded and forehead rested on on my knuckles. I changed my position in my seat countless times, not being able to comfortable. I'm sure the lack of sleep in two days hasn't helped the achyness I felt in my body. My eyes burned, yet that they remained opened.

I picked up a People magazine on a table and flipped through it mindlessly. I couldn't tell you who was on the cover for losing weight this month or who broke up with who. I tossed it back onto the cluttered table and sat back in my seat. Brian was on his cell phone, he was smiling and I assumed it was Bailey. Nathan was speaking quietly with two girls. They looked familiar, the two girls I met that one night at the club, Sarah and Jean. No Jess. Maybe Jen? Yes, Jen.

I watched the busy nurses move through the hospital carrying pillows, equipment, bandages. It looked as though the nurses ran the hospital and doctor's were just what people were told to feel better about their loved ones.

I looked across the hall and an older man lay on a gurney, his arm attached to an IV. He looked comfortable, or as comfortable as one could be in a hospital.

"Mr. Carter," Erin's voice broke me from my thoughts and I looked up at the young red headed nurse. "She's asking for you."

"She's awake?" Nathan asked coming up to us.

"She's awake, still pretty drousy and I'm sure she's slipping in and out of it. But she could handle a little visitation."

"You should go see her first, you're her brother," I told Nathan.

"She's asking for her fiance though, go. Just let her know her big brother is here." I stood up and nathan gave me a hug. I slowly followed Erin down the hall and she took me in the elevator and to Hailey's private room I made sure she got. Erin held the door open for me and a part of me wanted to run to her bed side and the other part stood frozen, afraid to go in.

"She's going to be okay Mr. Carter, you love her too much and I know she loves you. Her first and only word out of her mouth was your name, Nick." I couldn't find my voice and I inched slowly to her bed. The five different monitors hooked up to her didn't bother me. I could only focus on her face. As I reached her bed, I placed my hand on her smooth pale cheek. She had an oxygen mask over her face and her eyes were closed.

"You did it baby, just keep staying strong. I'm right here." I bit my lower lip to keep from crying. "Nathan will be in a minute. He's been worried about...again. You have to give us a break after this one ya know. Although you are the reason these nurses and doctor's still have jobs." I took her hand into mine and it seemed more fragile than before she went into surgery.
"Thank you God," I closed my eyes and brought my lips down to her hand to kiss it. I felt then a small pulse between my fingers and I looked up. Hailey's eyes were open and the corner of her lips were turned up right. "Hey you," I whispered. "I've been waiting to see those eyes." I kissed her forehead.

"Nick I-" she tried to get words out, her voice hoarse.

"Shh, you need to rest. But I know and I love you too. I'm going to bring Nathan in alright. I'll be back in a little bit." Her eyes closed and I held onto her hand a minute longer before turning around to get her brother. I walked out the door and Nathan was against the wall.

"I figured I'd come up and wait so you didn't have to talk with your leg and all. How is she?"

"Exhausted. But she'll know you're in there." I told him and patted his shoulder. He went in, almost as hesitant as I had been.

"You alright man?" A voice came from behind me. Brian. I turned around to face him.

"I will be as soon as she's out of here."

"Let me take you to her place, get showered, sleep a little and eat something. She's going to be sleeping for another day, it was a lot on her body. She'll need you strong while she's recooperating." I wanted to disagree, I wanted to be here for her but Brian was right. "I'm going to just say hi and let Nathan know where we're going okay?"

"Yeah, she'd love to hear your voice." I smiled and rubbed my eyes. Brian dissapeared and came back out within two minutes. We were only supposed to have one of us in there at a time.

We walked out of the hospital and to Hailey's car, someone had driven here. Brian got into the driver's side and explained how everyone had gone back to either her place or to a hotel.

Once we arrived at the townhouse, I slowly trudged in, my mind only on Hailey. I walked up the stairs, into her room where my things were and got out a clean pair of clothes. I started the shower, turning it hotter than I'm used to. I unstrapped my air cast and it felt good to get it off; as well as my other clothes and I held onto the wall as I got into the steaming hot shower. I let the water run down my body, dropping my head down and allowing the heat to massage my neck muscles After standing in that osition which must have been a good ten minutes, I washed my hair and body.

I immediately felt better as I stepped out of the shower. Drying myself off slowly, I brushed my teeth and then threw on a pair of basket ball shorts and a tee shirt and carefully walked into the bedroom. I was supposed to be wearing my boot for another week, non-the-less using my crutches but I had no idea where those even were. I plopped myself onto her bed and all of a suddent felt alone.

I knew I should be feeling thankful that she would be back in this bed with me sooner rather than never. I pulled her pillow to my chest, hugging it as if it were her and breathed in deeply, taking in her scent. I soon let my sleepless body take over and I fell asleep within minutes.



~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Three Weeks Later: Hailey's POV~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I can't wait to sleep in my own bed!" I said excitedly sitting in the passenger seat of my car as Nick drove.

"I can't wait to sleep with you!" He smiled back, his hand holding onto mine. Since the surgery, Nick was by myside constantly, only going home to bed when I went to bed at night but was there first thing before I woke up.

"Nick, it's going to be a while before we can have sex."

"I don't even care about that...well, I do but I care more having you in my arms."

"And to shower on my own without somone babysitting will be nice too."

"No promises that you'll be alone," Nick winked at me as we pulled into my driveway. Shutting the car off, Nick got out quickly and came to my side to open my door. I was still extremely weak and needed more help getting around than I would like. Nick took my hands and helped me to my feet; a wave a dizzyness hit me which was typical to have after sitting down for periods of time.

"I want to normal again," I told Nick, my face buried in his chest, his arms around my waist.

"Well, that's not going to happen since you weren't normal before the surgery," he joked. "You good now?" He asked looking into my eyes. I nodded and we made our way to the front door. Nick unlocked it and had me to lay down in the living room.

"Nick you cleaned?" I asked.

"Yeah, your place was a mess from all of us staying here forever, we lived off pizza pretty much." I laughed and shook my head. "I'll go get the rest of your things, need anything?"

"Just one thing."

"What's that?" He asked and I reached my hand up from the couch. Nick took it and knelt down next to me.

"A kiss," I pulled him to me gently and kissed my lips sending butterflies to my stomach. As we pulled away we both had smiles on our faces and Nick got up to empty the car. Feeling tired, I closed my eyes and waited for Nick.

When Nick came back in, lay a light blanket over me and kissed my forehead. "Sleep and I'll make you a good lunch for when you wake up."

"Something light," I told him. "Please."

"Of course. I know you've been living on Jell-O for the past couple of weeks, that and IV's."

"It's a great diet," I told him and closed my eyes again.
~*~*~*~*~
A little while later, I woke up and the TV was on. Nick was lying on the floor, right by the couch watching it. I reached my hand down and played with his hair.

"Time for a hair cut," I told him.

"I know. I've been little busy," he said sitting up. "How did you sleep?"

"Alright. I can't believe how much I sleep."

"It's going to be normal for a while. You hungry?" He asked.

"A little."

"I made some soup. Think you can handle it?"

"Yeah." Nick went into the kitchen, but not before he planted a kiss on my lips, and fixed up the soup.

"So, depending on how you're feeling tomorrow, I have a surprise." Nick said smugly sitting next to me as I crossed my legs to sit up and eat the soup.

"Oh is that so?"

"Yes, but that means you're doing nothing but sleeping today and most of tomorrow."

"That's all I've been doing, is sleep. I want to get out."

"Soon enough. How is the soup?"

"Very good, you make this yourself?"

"Perhaps."

"Who knew you could cook?" I joked.

"You did thank you very much!"

"So when I'm done, I say we go take a shower and I'm going to let you shave my legs." I laughed.

"I'm not so sure that's a great idea. I'll shower with you, but maybe you can just take a bath to do that. I'd probably cut you too many times."
I rolled my eyes and finished my soup. Nick brought my bowl into the kitchen and I got up to head up the stairs. I held onto the railing and within a few steps, I felt as though I couldn't catch my breath and I had to sit down.

"What do you think you're doing?" Nick asked walking up to me when he entered the living room again.

"Ya know for being as athletic as I was, you'd think I'd be able to climb more than three steps without feeling exhausted."

"It's your first day out of the hospital and you're not supposed to be walking around by yourself," Nick put my arm around his neck and pulled me up to my feet. "I'm just going to carry you," Nick picked me up swiftly in his arms and walked up the stairs. "Damn girl we need to get you to eat more, I swear you're as light as a feather right now."

"Right because I've done so much exercise in the last month." I rolled my eyes as he brought me into the bedroom.

"Hails to stay strong, you need to promise me you're going to be even stronger with this eating disorder. You have to be mentally tough. I cannot lose you and if you stop eating, you're going to shut your body down."

Nick's voice was serious as he looked me right in the eye on the bed. "I'm not saying it's going to be easy, especially since you can't work out for a while but I am here and you need to use me as much s you have to. Promise me."

Letting out a small sigh, I put both my hands on Nick's face and said, "Promise."

The next day, I slept in until almost noon. I turned my head a little and my eyes met Nick's, he was staring at me.

"Hey creep," I smiled.

"Hey yourself sleeping beauty."

"How long have you been staring me at me?"

"Only an hour or so."

"Because you have nothing better to do?"

"Because I love you and I had to make sure your eyes would open."

"I'm not going anywhere Nick. I'm here, forever," I took his hand in mine.

"How do you feel?"

"Pretty good actually, since how after the bath last night you put me to bed right after."

"Good, now here are your pills, drink this whole glass of water-"

"Thank you." I told him as I took the glass of water sitting up. "You go shower and do what you need to do. I'll get ready for the day. You did say you had a surprise for me, correct?" I wiggled my eye brow.

"Yes, and no going down the stairs by yourself."

"I won't," I smiled.

As Nick got into the shower, I picked out what I was going to wear. I wanted to look nice, it seemed like forever since I've worn anything but sweat pants and tee shirts. I pulled out yellow and white sun dress, a pair of white flip flops and my denim jacket to put over it in case it would be chilly. This time of year, I knew it would be anything but.

"You want another shower?" Nick asked coming wearing only a towel.

"Yeah, I'll be fine. I am kinda hungry though," I told him raising my eye brow.

"Good, I'll go get some breakfast. Go slow," he warned as he kissed the top of my head.

"I was trying to be teasing with you. But I really am hungry I guess." I went into the bathroom and took my shower. I didn't feel like spending a lot of time with my hair, so I squirted some gel and scrunched it up to make it look playful and light. I then spent about ten minutes on my eye brows because they were a mess from not being touched in a month.

"What in the world are you doing in here?" Nick asked walking in. I was still in my towel and applying lotion on my face.

"Being a girl. I can't believe you're still with me after looking the way I do."

"You're beautiful. I have some breakfast down stairs. I'll come back up in a few minutes, I have to get some things ready.

"What in the world are you doing Mr. Carter?" I asked now brushing my teeth.

"You'll see," he kissed my cheek and left the room. I applied a light bronzer on my cheeks because let's face it, I looked like a ghost still. A little light eye shadow and mascara and I was set to go. As I stood up in the mirror, I glanced again at the long red scar on my chest. I gently ran my fingers across it, I didn't even have time to look at it last night when I showered from being tired.

"Weird," I said to myself out loud. Inside me held another person's human heart. I knew nothing of whose it was, where it came from but that it seemed to fit me perfectly and that I was greatful. I thought I'd feel somewhat different. I always followed my heart, it was a good heart for the most part; just not physically. And now, I was almost afraid of this one.

I slipped the dress on, my sandals and gave a quick glance in the mirror. I didn't look as toned as I did before everything; but I knew it would only be a matter of time before I was working out again. I actually thought I looked too skinny; that's a good sign. I stepped out of my room and walked to the top of the stairs.

"Nick?" I called out. Within a few seconds he appeared at the bottom and looked up. He stood there staring at me me for a moment, his mouth slightly gaping open. "Why are you looking at me like that? Should I wear something else?"

"NO! I mean," he began up the stairs. "You look breath taking." He put an arm around my waist as I held onto the banester and we began to walk down. My legs shook a little, still from weak and not using them for a while. "Still with me?" He asked as we neared the bottom. I nodded my head and smiled.

"It looks like a nice day," I said looking out the window.

"Perfect day, come on I cut up some fruit and yogurt for you." He guided me into the kitchen and we sat at the table to eat.

After finishing our breakfast, Nick and I got into my car and he had a grin on his face the entire time. "Where are we going Nick?" I asked giggling.

"The perfect place, for a perfect girl," he reached for my hand and held as he drove; only letting go briefly to shift gears. It was a fifteen minute drive but I had an idea as soon as he turnd out of my street where we would be going. The beach. Pulling into a deserted parking lot, Nick shut the car off and got out. He opened the drunk and pulled out a large duffel bag and a guitar case. He didn't often play the guitar and I was curious to what was up his sleeve.

I got out and met him on the other side of the car, he took my hand and we made our way down to the beach. There were only a few people where we were, it was a Tuesday so I'm sure people were working. Finding a clear spot, Nick set his things down, pulled out a large blanket for the bag and laid it out on the white sand. It was a hot day, the ocean looked more than inviting to go in and I almost wished I had worn a swim suit. Nick handed me a bottle of sun screen and I was surprised he thought of all this. He then pulled out his guitar.

"What are you doing Nick?"

"I wrote this song while you were in the hospital..." he said almost shyly and plucked a few strings.

***Time is going by, so much faster than I,
And I'm starting to regret not
Spending all of it with you.
Now I'm, wondering why,
I've kept this bottled inside,
So I'm starting to regret
Not telling all of it to you.
So if I haven't yet, I've gotta let you know...

You're never gonna be alone.
From this moment on,
If you ever feel like letting go,
I won't let you fall.
You're never gonna be alone!
I'll hold you 'til the hurt is gone.

I'm holding on with both hands,
'Cause forever I believe
That there's nothing I could need but you,
So if I haven't yet, I've gotta let you know...

You're never gonna be alone.
From this moment on,
If you ever feel like letting go,
I won't let you fall.

When all hope is gone,
I know that you can carry on.
We're gonna take the world on,
I'll hold you 'til the hurt is gone.

Ooooh!
You've gotta live every single day,
Like it's the only one,
What if tomorrow never comes?
Don't let it slip away,
Could be our only one,
You know it's only just begun.
Every single day,
Maybe our only one, what if tomorrow never comes?
Tomorrow never comes...

Ooooh!
You've gotta live every single day,
Like it's the only one,
What if tomorrow never comes?
Don't let it slip away,
Could be our only one,
You know it's only just begun.
Every single day,
Maybe our only one, what if tomorrow never comes?
Tomorrow never comes...

Time is going by, so much faster than I,
And I'm starting to regret not
Telling all of this to you.
So if I haven't yet, I've gotta let you know...

You're never gonna be alone!
From this moment on,
If you ever feel like letting go,
I won't let you fall.
When all hope is gone,
I know that you can carry on.
We're gonna take the world on,
I'll hold you 'til the hurt is gone.

I'm gonna be there always,
I won't be missing one more day,
I'm gonna be there always,
I won't be missing one more day.***

*Lyrics: Never Gonna be Alone, Nickelback *

As Nick strummed the last chord he looked deep into my eyes. I had tears freely falling down my cheeks. It was probably the most beautiful song I ever heard; and not just because Nick wrote it for us. Before I could say anything, Nick had reached into his pocket and pulled out small box, got onto one knee and took my hand into his.

"Hailey, I have loved you since I met you. You were a complete stranger who opened up to someone who was as messed up as me and you took me into your heart with open arms. I am forever grateful for everything you have done for me. I truly believe that we are soul mates and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You make me be the man I've always wanted to become; without you, I'm just another wave in the ocean. Lost." He then opened up the small box and held out to me. "Will you make me the happiest and luckiest man in the world and Merry Me baby?"

I got up onto my knees and through my arms around his neck; clinging onto him as though he would disappear. "Yes!" I kissed his lips passionately. "Yes, I love you so much!" I said and kissed him again. His arms enclosed around my waist.

"I love you," he whispered and put the ring gently on my finger. It was a white gold band, two small diamonds sat either side of a larger diamond in the middle. Not too big at all because he knew I was more of a simple girl. It was absolutely stunning.

His lips then met mine again and he gently lay me down on the blanket and kissed me as though it would be our last day on this planet.

~*~*~*~The End~*~*~*~