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Chapter 1. Nick + Kevin: Group Fight

"I've told you to get ready an hour ago! Now we're late, and it's all your fault!" Kevin shouted.
"What's wrong with you, man? The important thing is we went on stage right on time!" Nick cried defensively.
Kevin threw his towel off to the floor. "Fine! If you don't want to change your childish attitude, that's okay with me! I don't care! But remember this, don't mess everything up when it comes to our work! You have your responsibility!"
With that, Kevin turned away and left the room. Brian came in seconds later.
"What's wrong with you guys? Did you just have a fight?"
Nick flung himself to the bed. "That guy.... Why can't he be more relaxed sometime?"
Brian sighed and gave Nick a sympathetic look. "He's just a perfectionist. You've gotta live with that. We all have got to live with that!"
Nick grabbed a bedsheet and threw it over to Brian. "Which side are you on, Buster?"
"What's this? A war? I'm not siding on anyone! And if I gotta choose, I'd be on my cous' side!"
"OK then.... it's officially war!"
They threw pillows at each other, making loud noises, and woke up almost all the other people.

Kevin, on the other hand, didn't take it easily. He grumbled in his heart but though he didn't hide his feelings which showed on his face. He met up with Howie in the elevator.
"Hey Kev. You look down."
Kevin made a face. "Yeah, tell me about it!"
Howie kept silent. He watched Kevin carefully. Kevin immediately felt sorry for being rude.
"I've just told Nick to act more discipline, but he won't listen. He's gettin' on my drawers!"
Howie nodded, slightly chuckling. "Well, tell me if this had happened before... cuz I think it did."
Kevin smiled. "Yeah, it's becoming a tradition lately, huh?"
Howie nodded once again. "True."
The elevator opened and they strolled away to the nearest club in town.

Next morning, 5.00 AM, Nick's room...

Nick yawned for the 9th time, forcing his eyes to open while he's tying his shoes. Brian came in with AJ, both already dressed in jeans and casuals. "C'mon Nick! Don't want to be late, do you?"
"Shut up and help me! I can't get this shoe fixed!"
"Umm, correct me if I'm wrong, but are you wearing your left shoe on your right foot?" AJ asked sheepishly. Brian laughed off so hard that he shed some tears. Nick grunted more.
Kevin appeared on the door. "Hey, the bus is leaving in 3 minutes. Let's go now."
Nick didn't answer. He finished his laces and got his cap on. He left the room without saying anything. Brian and AJ exchanged looks. They all got in the bus and headed for the next showcase.

"Good morning, everyone! Everybody feel OK?"
The deafening crowd screamed more and more. "Great! Let's do it!"
Howie got back to his place and the music played. They did their dance routine perfectly... Until one time, when they were about to do the solo numbers, Nick dropped to his knees. His face was pale. They dropped the curtains when audience started shouting and screaming.
"Nick are you alright?!"
"What's wrong?"
"Nick can you hear me?"
They all gathered around Nick, including their managers. Johnny ordered a bodyguard to take Nick to the hospital.

Hospital, 2.00 PM
AJ hummed the song "Like A Child" all the way to Room 108 - Nick's room. He entered, and found that Nick was still sleeping. Nick's girlfriend was on the bedside, patiently waiting for Nick to awake. "Hey Tammy. How's he doing?" "Ummh, he hasn't awaken yet since he was taken here. The doctor said he's too tired, that's why he passed out like that."
AJ gave a friendly pat on her shoulder. "Don't worry, baby. Things like this happen to us all the time. He'll be alright." "Hands off of my girl, Buddy," A weak voice came to their ears. AJ and Tammy rushed to the bed, Nick was now concious, but his face was still white of paleness. "How are ya, Big Man? How's it feel? I'll get the others here right away!" AJ hurriedly left the room. Tammy gave Nick a kiss on the forehead. "Welcome back, Nicky," Tammy whispered. "Glad to be back," he replied. "Now I think I owe an apology to the guys. I mean, I've ruined today's schedule and I've caused a stir with fainting in front of the fans. How worse can it get?"
"Don't worry about the schedule and everything. It's just great that you're fine." Howie said, entering the room. AJ, Brian, Kevin, and Donna came in a second later. Donna held up a paper, "We've re-scheduled the whole thing. I predict you're gonna be up after about... 2 days maybe?" she said with a composed business-talk attitude. "Excuse me, Donna, I think the guy has just got his concious back and you're already discussing our schedule?" Brian asked in disbelief. Donna kept away the papers. "Hey, just joking OK? Of course I'm glad you're okay, Nick. Get as many rest as you want. We'll talk about performances when you're feeling better."
Brian and AJ pulled a face and asked their manager if they, too, could get as many rest as they wanted. The others laughed. Kevin stepped closer, in his deep barritone voice he asked for an appologize. "Nick, I'm sorry. I didn't know you weren't feeling okay. I pushed you too far. It's not fair to put down my perfectionist side on you becuz you're so much younger than me. I'm sorry."
Nick smiled and shouted weakly, "Kevin Richardson! You're responsible for all this! You're guilty and I want a thousand dollar bill for this!" he joked. "No, Kev, it's not your fault. I've made mistakes so I want you to forgive me as well." They hugged. The others breathed a sigh for relief. Soon Nick was out from the hospital and was performing with the guys normally.

Chapter 2. Nick: The Street Girl

The Studio, on a break from touring, 4 months later...
Nick pushed the microphone away. He felt too tired to move on. He went outside for a quick breath of fresh air.
"Aaah... it feels great!" he said to himself. "Maybe I can slip outta here for a while." He walked through the street. Somehow a girl bumped him real hard that they both fell to the pavement. She was about 10 years old, blond hair with height around 1.50 m. The girl stood up and ran away quickly, leaving Nick with a confused look. He checked his wallet and it was gone. He went to chase after the girl. It wasn't long before he grabbed her and questioned her.
"You stole my wallet!" he said straight away.
"Yeah, so I did! It's my living incase you don't know!" she argued.
Nick let go of her hands. She was now studying his face. "Do I know you?" she asked. "We've never met before," he replied. "I'm Nick Carter. And you are... ?"
"Amber. I knew you looked kinda familiar! You're that Nicky from uh... from that group who's on TV that day!" "Yeah, unfortunately I am. Where do you live, Amber?" "You don't wanna know." "Yes I do." She turned away. "I live on the streets. There's someone who takes care of me." Nick looked deep into her eyes and felt both pity and care. Later he brought her back to the studio and from there he drove her to his house.

Aaron, his twinsister Angel, and Amber made friends a lot sooner than Nick thought they would. He asked his family if they could keep Amber in their house until someone from the comunity service arrived. Nick called Donna to ask if it's okay about letting a girl from the street live in his house. Donna said okay as long as they can keep it out from the media. 3 days later a woman and a man from kids foundation came to Nick's house. They wanted to take Amber to 'the place where kids would be taken care of', as they said. The Carters thought they couldn't let her go, because they've all got so close with Amber and they treated her like a family. Bob and Jane Carter asked if they could adopt her. To make a short story even shorter, Amber then really became a Carter.

Chapter 3. BSB: Kidnapped!

The guys are now on tour. Nick brought his mom and Amber with him, and Aaron was supposedly the opening act, so he came along too. They grouped around at every chance. This kinda made Brian jealous, because Nick was now seldom hang out with him, like they usually did for pastimes. Kevin took it a little too much.
"Where's Nick?" he asked Brian.
"I haven't seen him since morning. Maybe he went out with Aaron and Amber."
Kevin shook his head helplessly. "And we're to have a performance in an hour away. He's so irresponsible!"
"Now, now, Kevvy. Don't start messing with him again. If we had taken our family here we would do just the same. Let him go will ya."
"Brian, take this as an advice from an older brother... If you wanna succeed in the entertainment biz, you've gotta act proffesionally."
"Hey don't you think I'm pro enough for ya?" Brian gave a punch to Kevin's stomach. "I don't need no advice, Mr. Perfectionist!" Kevin was punching Brian back when they heard a noise from the main room. They got up to their feet just before Johnny came and told them, "Amber is kidnapped!"

Brian saw Nick in the room looking freaked out. He was sobbing. Brian comforted him.
Kevin asked Donna, "Where's Aaron?" "He's unconcious in his room. Jane is with him now."
All the sudden Nick shouted, "This is my fault! I shouldn't have left them alone outside the store, it's all my fault!"
"The police are looking for her, calm down Nick." Brian said softly. "What happened to Aaron really?" Donna whispered so Nick couldn't hear, "After Nick left them, some guys came over and took Amber away, and they hit Aaron real hard 'til he passed out."
Howie and AJ who were listening held a questioning look. AJ mumbled, "I'm just wondering why they didn't take Aaron too."

4 days later, in the police precinct.

"You can't do anything to find her?" Nick shouted emotionally. "And you dare to call yourself a cop!" "We're just have to wait, Young man." the leutenant said firmly. Nick coud no longer held his anger. He left the room, followed with the other guys.
"If this is the way they're handling things, I can do better!" Nick said, urgently rushed to his car. Kevin tugged his sleeve. "Where do you think you're going, Nick?" "I'm going to save Amber ny myself." he answered. "You know it's dangerous!" Howie said. "I think he's gonna do it in one way or another," AJ resumed. "I'm going to help him." Brian was challanged  to do the same. Howie soon joined them. That left Kevin alone to decide. He's the oldest in the group, the one who should think things clearly. "You guys are crazy, you know that?" he sighed. "But I might as well get crazy too." The others yelled for victory. Nick happily thanked them.

They checked out all stores and houses near the location where Amber was taken from. They almost gave up before a landlady accidentally revealed there's a gang of small thieves operating in that neighborhood. Maybe that got something to do with the kidnapping, they thought. They went to dark alleys and damp streets. They found a little kid with dirty clothing ran past them. AJ quickly grabbed him. They questioned the kid quietly. The kid was turned out to be a runaway who seeked fortune with steeling. He was one of the gang. They forced him to take them to his headquarter. He took them to a secretly covered warehouse, which was empty by that time. They let the boy go, and they took a step in the warehouse.
"This is Amber's baseball cap!" Nick shouted. "She's here!"
They quickly searched the place. "Some valuable stuff are here, but not her." AJ sighed hopelessly. "Yes, many valuable stuff," Kevin took out a gold watch from a box.
Just then, the big door opened and a guy came in, together with his fellows who looked twice as big as Kevin and Nick were. There were five of them. The kid who guided them to the warehouse peeked from behind.
"Who are you?" one of the guys in black suit asked.
"We're looking for a girl," Kevin said. "A 10 year old girl."
One of the men stepped closer, "You have searched in the wrong place, and you'll be sorry you did."
The guys stood frozen. "Uh-oh" Nick said to himself. AJ gave everyone an encouraging pat. "They're five, we're five." AJ grinned. "Looks like it's equal!"
"We don't used to fight," Howie told AJ nervously.
Brian whispered, "I guess we'll have to try it now."

AJ grabbed the man's collar. "Tell me where she is!" The man stayed quiet. AJ gripped him harder and preparing his fist. "Or else..." The guy choked and spilled the information. Looked like they weren't as strong as their appearances, because AJ and his pals won the bruise-filled battle.
AJ put him away while Howie finished his phone call to the precinct. Brian got Kevin up and checked each other's bruises. Nick dragged AJ impatiently outside. "Guys, let's go!"
They ran about 2 blocks away to a deserted alley, and saw two kids with scattered clothes. One of them is Amber. She cried and ran to Nick. He hugged her tight.
"I'm so scared, Nick! I can't go home, they won't let me to!" she cried. "We worried sick about you, girl! I'm so glad you're save. We're gonna take you out of here." When they reached the mainstreet, Amber spilled the story to them, about why she was kidnapped and why the mean guys didn't take Aaron with them. The criminals knew her. She worked with one of them before she was adopted by the Carters. She said it was all about stealing stuff and handing the stuff over to them. They would feed the kids with the money they got from stealing. But if any of the kids tries to escape from them, they'd teach him or her a lesson.
Brian kept a tight hold on the kid who was with Amber in that alley. "What's your name?" Brian asked the kid. "Shelley," the little girl answered with a fragile voice. "Well Shelley, don't be afraid, we're taking you to somewhere safe." She nodded. Soon after, the police arrived.

They were kicking back in Nick's room. "Wow, I wish we had a video camera with us when we beat the crap out of those guys!" AJ said before doing a high-five with Aaron. "Yeah, we surely beat them. But look what we've also won.... a huge mass of bruises!" Brian softly touched his forehead and hissed. "We're fortunate we didn't break our arms or anything. I don't know what Donna and Johnny would say to us if we did." Kevin said, pretending to look scared. "Excuse me guys, we didn't actually beat the crap out of them. That time I thought I was going to die brutally!" Howie said, closing his eyes. "Yeah, to be honest, I think we've almost lost. Sure glad our AJ here, is a trained fighter." Brian laughed, pointing to AJ. "Yeah, I did have some brawls in a bar. Now you know they're worth it!" "Hey, not just you who won that fight, AJ man. I think we've done pretty good ourselves. Those dance routines did us a lot!" Nick laughed. "I can't imagine if there were five of them." Howie said, with eyes closed. "Jesus no! I think I'd be a scrambled egg by now!" Brian cried.
They laughed, but Nick shushed them off. "You'll wake her up," he said, gesturing to Amber who was fast asleep on Nick's bed. Kevin gently touched her hair. "She had a tough life. Thank God it's over." "Yeah, but what about other kids on the streets....." Nick said, more to himself. Then they continued bragging about their victorious battle.

Chapter 4. AJ: Seeing Double

AJ was holding the basketball when he saw a girl past through near the basketball court. He kept watching her. "Hey AJ! Don't keep the ball to yourself! Shoot!" Nick yelled from the other side of the court. "Sshh Nick, you could make him lost his concentration!" Brian grinned cheekily. Kevin rolled his eyes, "What concentration?"
Howie said to Nick, "Love is in the air. It's spring, my dear fellow."
"I think he has got the wrong time, it's already autumn," Aaron said, giggling.
They were in the middle of a basketball game. Both teams were on a break from their grueling activities, performing that is. Team A consisting Nick, AJ, Tammy, Shaz and Bobbie Jean, were a score ahead from Team B, which consisted Brian, Howie, Kevin, Aaron and Angel.
They went for a quick break. "AJ, why didn't you chase her and introduce yourself? You're the ladies' man remember?" Howie smirked. "You're right. I should ask her out right this moment!" AJ stood up and looked around. Nick and Tammy were eating sandwiches, the only thing Tammy was able to make, really. Kevin and Shaz, the long time girlfriend, were talking quietly about their secret plans for the evening. And now Brian and Howie were just hooking up with two beautiful girls on the courtside. AJ stood up and left to find the girl he had laid his eyes on ever since they arrived there two days ago.

He entered a small shop selling flowers and bouquets. "Oh hello, Stranger! How're you today?" said the girl behind the counter. She was just putting on her white appron, making her more angel-like. She was the same girl who passed the basketball yard. AJ had met her two days ago outside the hotel when he was taking a walk. They went out to the McDonalds together, but AJ didn't consider that as a successful date, because he accidentally spilled cola to her dress. "Hey you beautiful citizen, I'm lookin for a stalk of fresh red rose, there aren't too many around here. You have any?" "Oh sure. Who is it for?" "I'll dedicate it to a charming girl in white appron standing in front of me this moment." She blushed. "Aah. And that is moi?" "You've got great self-confidence, Miss. When are you off today?" AJ fired. "I'm done at six. Why? You wanna ask me out?" she tempted. "No, I was just going to ask you if you want to take a dinner at my place, The Ritz Hotel. You'll love it because yesterday I know you didn't enjoy being at Mickey D's." "Yes sir, I'd love to come." AJ searched the place, took out a bunch off roses from a stand, grabbed some dollars and put it into the cashier. He handed the roses to the astonished girl. "I'll pick you up at 6.05 " He stepped out from the shop, "See ya later, Teri" "Later, Alex."

"Wow! You smell incredibly awful, Bone! I bet you filled your bathtub with gallons of cologne and you dipped your whole body into it!" Brian declared jokingly, trying his best to wind up AJ. "Yeah I sure did. Now I'm ready to pick up my beauty." With that, he left the room. He met Kevin, Howie and Nick at the hall and they kept whistling until he's gone.

"Hi Teri, ready for your date?" "I don't have any date, it's only dinner you said." Then they both laughed. They entered the Ritz straight to the dinning hall. "You don't have any shows today?" "Tomorrow we'll do meet-n-greet at the mall, but tonight we're free as hell!" he said proudly. They enjoyed their time together and didn't realized how time passed too fast. Around midnight they both went up to AJ's room. AJ pulled her to the bedside, but she refused.
"What is it, Teri?" "Um.. nothing. I thought we're only going to talk."
"Well I'm expert in talking.... but I also communicate in other ways..." he whispered to her ear, his hands started reaching for her waist. He kissed her softly. She pulled away. "No... don't!" she said. AJ stared at her, confused. "What the... Did I hurt you? I'm sorry..." But she refused to take his hands. "I... I just want us to talk! Not... not..." she gasped. "OK, I'm sorry... I thought you liked me..." "Yes, I do like you! But I'm not ready for any of this!" she said. AJ studied her face. Silence crept over. "I'm sorry I let you down, I guess you don't want me anymore!" She ran out but he didn't try to catch her, he felt heart-broken.

"OK Howie, this is what I've been thinking. Brian, here's something you can make out as a joke," AJ's getting ready to pour out his problems to his two bestfriends, who were sitting on his side and watching him seriously. A moment Brian smiled sympatheticly. He said, "Bone Bone Bone, tell us everything. I won't make fun of it, I promise!" But Howie watched him crossing his fingers behind his back. Then he gave him a kiddy smile. "Yeah, we won't tell anyone except you want us to." Howie said. AJ sighed. "Yeah, I know you guys won't." He sighed once again before telling off the whole details.
"Hahah... ummm, I mean.... wow..." Brian grinned wide. Howie elbowed him. AJ smirked. "You broke your promise, man!" "Sorry Bone, but I've never heard about a female species who rejected you before! I mean..." he stopped for another laugh. Then got another elbow from Howie. "OK cut it off. You have something to say then say it quick!" AJ said with face turning red. Brian suddenly turned serious and played his role as big brother very well. "Maybe it's not becuz she hates you. Maybe her religion says not to do it and she was only trying to obey it. C'mon, I've been in that situation before, I know what I'm saying." AJ replied with a wicked grin, "You mean, you have refused  to sleep with a guy before?" Howie laughed while Brian acted like he was sick, "Hell no!" and slapped AJ. "I'm trying to help ya out and this is what I get?" Then Howie convinced AJ to give Teri a call.

AJ dialed Teri's phone number.
"Teri? It's me."
"Oh... hi AJ. What is it?"
"I just want to say I'm sorry... I didn't mean to push you into doing something you don't want to."
"Hey, it's okay."
"And um, can I ask something?"
"Wait.... I'm not ready.... But I am now. Shoot!"
"You still wanna go out with a dirty old jerk like me?"
"Uh-oh, That's tough choice!" she said. AJ laughed, feeling ease.
"But I'll go," she commented. "When will you pick me up?"
"I'll be there in 3 minutes or less." AJ said before hanging up the phone and hurrying for a taxi.

"Don't know if I'm lost but I'm sure this is the house of my lovely Teri?" he spoke romantically to her, standing on her balcony. "Yep. How'd you find my house?" "The taxi driver was a genius, he took only 2½ minutes to get here." "He made me lose time for preparing!" she declared. "Let's go now?" "To where, my lady?" "Well, my loyal subject, there's an old park around the corner. I love that place. It's quiet and peaceful, and there's a treestomp where we can sit and talk...." "No more talking miss, we're on our way!"

AJ and Teri spent hours in the park, pretty much enjoying themselves as the didn't realise someone was watching them from the bushes.
"AJ, it's getting cold out here. I'm gonna take my coat back in the house. Wait for me here OK, I'll be right back."
"Don't be too long!"
She walked away. AJ was wondering to how he was gonna tell his feelings to her. But then again, isn't it obvious already that I love her and she loves me too? he said to himself.
Not a minute later, Teri came back. AJ sensed something odd about her. He didn't know what it was, but she seemed more carefree and younger. She caught AJ's arm and laid her head on his shoulder. AJ blushed, surprised by her somewhat changed attitude.
"Hey, where's your coat? I thought you said you were gonna get it?"
"Oh, don't mind about the coat, AJ. Let's just go to your hotel, we'll warm up ourselves there!" she said with a tempting smile. "Let's go now, AJ!" she forced, clutching to his shirt sleeve. AJ scented her parfume and it scented different from the one she usually wore. AJ was half dragged by her, but then he followed her with a confused look on his face. A minute later, another Teri arrived at the park and saw AJ was gone. She smelled a woman's perfume and she immediately knew what was happening. She went off to AJ's hotel.

"Why are you messed up, Teri? You've been to my room remember?" "Uh, oh yeah - uh... I remember. Sometimes I just forget things like they're un-important but they are sometimes..." AJ looked at her and felt something weird, but he shrugged it off. Maybe I'm hallucinating stuff, he thought. They got to his room. AJ walked her in, as she started to wander the room and stopped by the bed. "Wow, it's a king-sized bed! We'll have plenty of room for both of us." she said with a smile that was un-resistable to most men. "Come here AJ, I won't bite you," she said, taking AJ's hands in hers and leaned her face closer to AJ's. "Only a little."

Teri was running through the coridor when she bumped with Nick. "Whoa! Who are you running from, girlie?" Nick said in a shock. "Nick! Where is AJ's room? I think I'm lost!" she said, panting. "Hmm, you're not some crazy fan of his, are you?" "No I'm not! I'm Teri, incase you've heard of me." "Teri?! Oh! Yes, AJ's told us about you. But um, why are you in such hurry?" "There's no time, please tell me where AJ's room is!" she yelled. Still confused, Nick told her the directions, and soon after she was running again.

"No! Hold it!" AJ muttered, trying to get away from her clutches. "I-uh... Maybe I'm crazy, but... but you're not Teri!" She stared at him with a look of disappointment when the door bursted open and another Teri stormed in.
"TARA!!!" Teri shouted from the door, calling her twin's name. The other Teri was standing with a satisfied expression on her face. Then she laughed. AJ took off his sunspec for that scene. He didn't believe Teri had a total look-alike twin! The real Teri said coldly, "How could you do this again, Tara. I tought you had enough with the other guys I dated." "Ooh, please don't be so mad, sis! I like this game, it's fun! Why don't you try being me for sometime? I'll let you do it..." Teri cut in, "I don't want to. It's sick. Let's go home, Tara." Teri grabbed her sister's arm and led her out. Before she left she whispered AJ to give her a call immediately.

"Teri, what happened?!"
"Meet me at the park, AJ. I'll tell everything to you there."
"What if your sister came up to me and pretended she's you?"
"She just went to her friend's house. At least she told me so. But I know it's the disco she went to. I bet she wouldn't come home before midnight."
"OK, I'll meet you at the park after a gig tonight. 8 o'clock?"
"It's a date."

That night Teri told AJ the whole story, about her twin sister who always loved to take her role and stole her boyfriends, about how people couldn't tell the difference between them, and how childish Tara was.
"You know, she always considers things as a game! She sometimes makes me lose control!"
"From the way you talk about her, you seem to love her."
"Yeah... everybody does. Even though she played devilish games, she's still my sister. My only sis."
AJ held Teri in his arms. "Tell me, AJ," she broke the silence. "Did you kiss her?"
AJ pulled her closer and held her tighter. "The truth?" "Yes of course I want the truth!" "Well... No, I didn't and that makes me regret myself right now!" AJ said, laughing. "You... you men are always the same!" she said jokingly. AJ kissed her and they spent the night looking at stars above them.

There's still more to come in the next chapters. Click here to continue on...