Chapter 6

Brian couldn't sleep.

He pulled Leighanne closer to his restless body, needing to feel her warmth.  He breathed in the scent of her golden blond hair and sighed.  She was the only one in his life that was keeping him sane since Nick's disappearance.  But lately, he hadn't been sleeping well.  He kept dreaming of Nick begging him to keep believing that he was still alive...that he could find him if he keeps the faith...  But how can I have faith in you Nick when you've been gone for so long...I can't keep doing this anymore...  Tears sprung to his eyes.  Maybe everyone was right.  Maybe it was time to put Nick to rest and move on.

He was going to miss his best friend.

The phone rang suddenly and both Brian and Leighanne's heads jerked off their pillows.  "Ugh!" Leighanne groaned and switched on a lamp, "who could possibly be calling this late at night?"

Brian reached for the phone.  "Hello?"

"..."

He frowned.  "Helloooo?"

"...Bri..."

His eyes widened.  The voice sounded so quiet, but he'd know it without a doubt in his mind...it was his voice....!  "Nick?!?"

"..."

I wasn't hearing things...I know I wasn't!  "Nick, is that you?!"

"..."

"Please Nick," he pleaded, "talk to me man!  Tell me where you are?!"

Click.

NO!  Brian panicked.  "NICK!  NICK!!!"  He listened to the dial tone in devastating sadness.  He was so close...

"Brian," Leighanne said softly, "are you okay?"

"It was him Leigh...it was him."

"Brian..."

He put the phone back in its place and faced his wife.  "Leigh, I'm telling you, it was Nick!  I heard his voice!"

"But..." she sighed, "Brian, you can't keep doing this--"

"Doing what?" Brian exclaimed, "He's alive!  I HEARD him!  Why doesn't anyone believe me for cryin' out loud!"  He rubbed his head in frustration.  "My own wife thinks I'm crazy!"

"I never said that!"

"You didn't have to."

"Brian," she took his hand, "I don't think you're crazy at all.  I just...I'm just worried that Nick's dea...disappearance is taking a toll on your health."  Her blue eyes flooded with tears, "I don't want to lose you Bri..."

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a tight embrace.  "You won't lose me Leigh...I won't let anything separate me from you no matter what...I promise."

They stayed that way for quite some time until she finally pulled back slightly, "Do you really believe he's out there?"

Brian's eyes held her gaze firmly, "I was starting to lose hope, but now more than ever, I believe that he's alive...and we're going to find him."

She stared at him pensively for a few moments before a tiny smile curved her lips.  "Then so do I..."

***

"Thank you Mr. McGregor," Caroline called out and waved to the grocery store owner as he drove away.  She turned to look at Nick, who still had the same crestfallen face he had when they left the grocery store.  "You forgot to thank Mr. McGregor for taking us to his store this late."

"I called him again."  Nick rubbed his eyes and sighed.  "I tried to say something...but I can't...I can't go home..."

Caroline frowned as she unlocked the door, "Nickolas, you can't keep doing that to him or yourself."

"I know!" He grabbed the groceries and furiously moved to the kitchen, "I know that what I'm doing is wrong, but I can't help it!  There's still this part of me that won't let me let go..."  He put down the bags and sat down at the table, on the verge of tears.  "I'm not the same person anymore...I'd only hurt them if I came back..."

"That's not true."

"Yes it is Caroline," Nick shouted, "LOOK at me!  I'm a FREAK and I'm going to DIE a FREAK!"  He stormed out of the room.

"Nickolas!!!  Come back here this instant before I give your fanny a whooping!" 

As expected, he didn't listen.

She sighed in frustration.  That's it.  From now on he's not going into town with me.  She cringed when she heard his door slam shut.

It's going to be one of those nights...

***

"I need you now Rina."

She looked at his glimmering blue eyes.  They looked so sad...  "I'm right here with you...I'm not going anywhere."

"Go see me, Rina.  I need you to see me..."

Now she was confused.  "I don't under--"

He suddenly began to fade away and her eyes widened.  "Where are you going?!"

"Please Rina...there's not much time..."

"But I don't know what you want from me!"

"See me Rina...that's all I want...see me...see me..."

Her eyes opened and there was nothing but darkness surrounding her.  She rubbed her eyes and slowly adjusted to the gloominess around her.  I'm supposed to do something, she thought to herself in bewilderment, but what?  She knew she'd been having the oddest dreams since she arrived at this mysterious house, but she often had vague or no recollection as to what those dreams were about.  She sat up and listened for any noise from downstairs.

There was nothing.

No Caroline...no Nick. 

Nick.

She frowned.  She'd been thinking of him quite a bit since their encounter earlier.  He was just so mysterious, so interesting...

So sad.

She had asked Caroline about him, but that was a dead end.

"It's not my place to tell his story, dear.  Perhaps, he'll tell you himself someday..."

Nick Carter...why can't I get you out of my head?  Sighing, she got out of bed, feeling much better health wise, and stepped outside of the room she'd been sleeping in all day.  She wished she could remember where the bathroom was.  It was so dark in the hallway...

"What are you doing out here?"

His cold whisper made her jump in alarm.  "God!"  She stared at his icy blue eyes.  "Do you have to sneak up on me like that?"  She blinked.  She could've sworn she saw a glint of humor in his eyes.

"You shouldn't be out here.  You need your rest dammit!" he hissed.

Obviously she was just seeing things.

"I...I'm looking for the bathroom," she gulped.  Does he have to scrutinize me like that?  You'd think he'd never seen a girl before!  "What are you doing out here?"

"Nothing."

It was then that she noticed that his eyes seemed a little on the red side.  "Are you...are you okay?"

"Just fine thank you," he replied abruptly, "never been better actually."

"Oh." He definitely wasn't a great liar.

"How are you feeling?"

She looked at him in surprise and then shrugged.  "Better.  I guess all I needed was rest."

"You should get more."

Now she was feeling a little agitated.  "You know if you want me to go away, why don't you just say so?"  She began to move past him, "I've got to find the bath--"  She felt his hand wrap around her arm and she sucked in her breath, feeling a current of tingling shocks race throughout her whole body.

"That's not what I meant," he growled as his eyes bore into hers.

She couldn't even blink, his eyes inspiring both anxiety...and something else she didn't dare to even think about. 

See me Rina...See me...

There was something in his eyes...she could almost see right into them...

Can you see me Rina?  I know you can...

He was battling something...she could see it.  The expressions on his face kept construing into so many different emotions. Why is he fighting so hard?

And suddenly she saw nothing.

He stepped back and let go of her arm.  Confused, she shook her head.  What just happened? 

"Caroline's in the bathroom.  You can use the one in my room."  Without waiting for her response he began to retreat down the hallway.

Still a little bewildered, she followed as far behind him as possible.  She had no idea what had occurred between them in that instant when his eyes locked so deeply with hers, but whatever it was, it scared her half to death...

And at the same time, she'd give almost anything to feel it again.

***

What was that?

Nick sat on his bed, twiddling his thumbs as he thought about their 'connection.'  It had been amazing.  It was something he'd never experienced in his entire life.  When he looked into Katarina's eyes it was like he could see into her heart, into her soul...he could see her.  What scared him half to death even more than that realization was that he also felt her searching for him...for that Nick Carter who loved the ocean, that had a great sense of humor, that could play Sony Playstation 2 for hours on end...

The Nick Carter who could love and be loved in return.

Tonight he realized that he was still there...still fighting to resurface...  Nick scowled.  Like hell he was going to let that happen.  But how could he prevent it when every time she was near he ached to be that man?

His bathroom door flung open and she stepped out hesitantly, looking in all directions except his.  It irritated him that she was scared stiff of him, although he didn't understand why.  It wasn't as though he liked her or anything.  Freaks and angels don't mix.

"Uh, thanks again," she murmured and hurriedly moved toward the door.

He watched her retreating figure with sudden conflicting emotions that further confused his racing mind.  Don't go yet...

She stopped.

His eyes widened.  Did she hear me?  But I didn't say it out loud...

Katarina turned, her wary eyes falling on his.  "Are you sure you're okay?"

He looked away, not wanting to respond, but somehow feeling that he needed to.  "I'm fine."

"You can at least try to sound convincing."

He could hear the smile in her voice and he wanted to smile...damn, he wanted to so bad...

The next thing he knew, she was sitting right beside him.  "I know we don't know each other very well, but if you need someone to talk to..."

He met her gentle gaze.  "Aren't you scared of me?"

She smiled faintly.  "A little, but not because of how you look, if that's what you're thinking."  Sadness suddenly flooded her eyes.  "No one seems to understand that it's not the outside that counts but what's inside..."

He looked at her curiously.  Something about the way she said that told him that she had her own share of demons to deal with.  He wanted to ask, but asking would be getting too close.  He couldn't do that.

"I'd better go," she said quietly and stood, "my offer still stands..."

Nick kept his eyes glued to the floor.

"Goodnight Nick."

"Goodnight," he mumbled.

Just as she was about to shut the door he lifted his head.  "Katarina?"

She peered at him expectantly.

"Thank you."

She gave him a smile that caused his heart to quicken its pace. 

This is not good at all.

"Your welcome."

***

Rachel rolled over on her side and grimaced.  He's all the way in L.A and I'm stuck in Nick's damn house all by myself.  What a joke!  Her plan to seduce Kevin had backfired  and she was furious.  She heard only hours before his flight that he was leaving early.  That ruined all her ideas completely.  And damn Howie for getting in the way.  To think I actually thought he was nice...stupid ass.  He'll get what's coming to him.   

Her frown deepened, contorting her blemish free face.  And Kevin!  Who does he think he is?  God's gift to women?  Hah!  I'll show Mr. Eyebrows who's boss!  She got out of bed and stomped to her closet.  Seething, she grabbed her suitcase and began to pack the necessities.  She rushed to her drawers and smiled.  Good ol' lingerie.  Where would I be without you?  She pulled out a raunchy little black number that worked wonders with Nick.  Yup, it'll be perfect.  He'll be putty in my hands and his wallet will be mine for the taking!  Within an hour, she was all set.  Grinning she picked up her cell phone and dialed the airport.

"Hi, I'd like a ticket on the next flight to Los Angeles, California..."

***

 

 

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