Lonnie strolled cautiously down the hallway checking every nook and cranny for any signs of unwanted guests. He paused briefly at the nurses’ station before walking behind it, peering under the desks. The large man loomed over the side of the station searching all around the outside of it, leaving no stone unturned. When he was satisfied with the area, he moved down the hall opening every door he came acrossed. As he neared the elevators, he heard a sharp giggle and a shushing sound. Lonnie puffed his chest and was about to intercede when a man’s voice entered the equation. “I’m sure we’ll find him down this hallway,” it said. “You sure,” a squeaky voice inquired. “Absolutely. Remember ladies, they work for me.” It was then that Lonnie recognized the voice. Fucking Lou, he thought. “If not will just try out luck with one of those computers they’ve got sitting around here. We’ll find him,” he chuckled, “don’t you worry your pretty little heads.” Upon hearing Lou’s threat, the black man turned around and ran toward JC’s suite. Knowing they were trapped, his only option was to have hospital security intercept them. He rushed through the door. “Doctor,” he whispered nearly out of breath. “We’ve got trouble.” The doctor abruptly spun around and faced the entrance. “Trouble, what kind of trouble?” “The serious kind.” “Well, can’t you take care of it?” “I’d love too, but it’s Lou. He can still fire me. He still owns the boys.” “Shit,” the doctor looked at the nurse. “I thought we could call your security team and get them up here,” Lonnie suggested. “I don’t think they’ll have any problems dealing with him.” “No we don’t have enough time. We need to think of something else.” Dr. Thompson ran his fingers through his gray hair, deep in thought. He nervously glanced toward JC’s bed and the back at Lonnie. “We need to get them out of here before Lou finds them. There’s no telling what he’ll do when he sees that we’ve got the boys ready to go. He’s gonna ask questions.” Nurse Jennings walked around the bed Lance and Justin were resting on. “Tell you what big boy, you get those two in their chairs and strapped in and I’ll handle this Lou character.” “I don’t think that’s wise.” “Please, if I can handle that brat,” she pointed in Justin’s direction, “I can handle him.” Lonnie chuckled. “Okay, good luck.” “I expect them to be in their chairs and ready to move by the time I get back. We don’t have time to waste.” Nurse Jennings exited the room and instantly heard the voices coming from around the corner. She stormed toward them, thinking through what she would say to them. The one thing that hung heavily over her mind was the fact she was about to meet the man who put JC in the hospital. The man who beat and raped her patient to near death would be in her grasp, and she wasn’t going to waste her opportunity. Her fist clenched at the thought of what happened to JC and how deeply affected the other members of the group were. The nurse, although would deny it openly, had a soft spot for the youngest. She knew his secret and she would carry it forever. As she rounded the corner, she observed a fat unruly character taping his fingers over the computer keyboard. That must be him, she huffed, fat motherfucker. You’ll never hurt those boys again. “Can I help you?” she bit back her sarcasm. The blond girls looked over in her direction, giving her the once over. Lou just continued typing. “I asked you a question and I expect an answer.” “Looking for something,” the fat man said. He continued typing line after line of codes into the computer allowing him access to most of the patients personal files. The fat man’s forehead meshed together while he was concentrating. Nurse Jennings stood with disbelieve clearly displayed in her features. This man had all of the codes for the files. He knew exactly which ones to enter in order to obtain the information he needed. Nurse Jennings stepped closer until her arms rested on the counter top. “Looking for something…in someone else computer system. That would be illegal in all states.” She stared at the evil man balding head. Nurse Jennings reached out and grabbed the nearest wrist, stopping its movements. “I don’t know how you know the codes but I suggest you stop entering them. Because whatever information you’re looking for is not in that computer. So, now if you wouldn’t mind, please step out from the station.” She increased the pressure of her grip, nails biting into clammy flesh. “I would mind and I’m not gonna move until I find what I’m looking for.” He wrenched his wrist from her grasp causing narrow claw marks appear on his skin. Lou scowled at the nurse, “Now mind your own fucking business and get the hell out of here.” The two girls who’ve been relatively silent throughout the encounter, laughed. Nurse Jennings smirked while looking down at her nails, “Did you just tell me to mind my own business?” “Yes. Are you fucking deaf or something? You ole bag.” The girls laughed again. The nurse casually rubbed her nails against her shirt and then calmly reached over the counter. She blindly searched under the counter until she found what she was looking for. She yanked. “What the fuck?” Lou screamed. “You fucking bitch. You unplugged it.” “Yes… very good…gold star for you. Now,” she eyed the fat man, “if you don’t mind, and I won’t ask you again, please step out of the nurse’s station.” “Why you…” “You told me to mind my own business and since the computer and all of the information in it, is my business, I simply did what you told me. I can’t help it if you don’t like the results of your request, but I really don’t give a flying fuck.” Lou was startled by her tone of voice and choice of words. “I’m gonna tell your superior.” “Okay…like that makes any sense at all, fat man. You’re sitting here entering codes into an off limits computer gaining access to private files and you’re gonna my superiors. That’s rich…” “Listen, bitch,” one of the girls said. “Why don’t you move along and find someplace else to go. We’re on a mission here and we don’t need the likes of you getting in the way.” She took a step toward the nurse, “Now, you don’t want things to get ugly do you.” “Hell no,” the nurse replied, “you’re ugly enough.” “No way did she just say that,” the girl said to her friend. “Lou,” she addressed the owner in a menacing voice. “How do you…?” “I suggest you leave the premises before I have security come and drag you away. I’m sure you wouldn’t want the news media seeing you’re fat body being dragged out of the hospital now would you. I don’t think it would bode well for you or the group to have that happen.” “I want to know the whereabouts of my singer,” the owner screamed. “You have to tell me where he is. I demand that you tell me where he is.” Lou’s eyes filled with tears, “I just want to see him, see if he’s okay.” “Oh please. You’re little display of affection isn’t gonna trick me. I know who you really are. I know what kind of person you really are.” “Damn it bitch,” he screeched, tears all but forgotten. “I own those boys. I own every thing about them. They’re mine. By law you’ve gotta give me the information I demand.” “That’s where you’re wrong, Lou. Upon admittance, the said singer’s parents gave guardianship to… wait…wait a minute…oh that’s right, Johnny. So all information pertaining to said patient would be relayed to you through Johnny. I suggest you go ask him where your singer is. In the mean time, get the fuck out of my hospital.” “You can’t… you can’t do this.” “Get out of here,” Nurse Jennings yelled. “I’ll remember this. You haven’t seen the last of me, nurse,” Lou spat. Nurse Jennings waved her hand at him, “Whatever…are you going to do the evil laugh now or later.” Lou scowled at the woman and faced the two girls. “Looks like we’ll need to use another terminal.” The pudgy man and the two girls turned and walked away from the station and towards the elevators. Nurse Jennings followed them down the hall and made sure they entered the carriage. She looked over her shoulder and spotted a phone; she picked it up, dialing security. ** Lonnie finished placing Lance into his chair and strapped the young singer in before he heard a clattering at the window. He glanced up at the curtained covered area and sighed. The bodyguard knew what was going on. He knew if he opened the curtain he would find a slew of people on window scaffolding with their faces pressed to the glass. The thumping against the pane of glass grew louder. The doctor’s attention was pulled from JC as he glared toward the curtains. Dr. Thompson’s hands trembled as he finished arranging the lines on their new carriage. He pulled the blue blanket up under JC’s chin. The doctor removed a small light from his pocket and gently opened an eyelid, shining the light into it. Receiving the reaction his was looking for, Dr. Thompson placed the light back into his coat and breathed a sigh of relieve. He jumped upon hearing more noise just outside the window. “They don’t know if this is the room or not, doctor. You can calm down.” “I’ll try.” “The boys need us to be ready for anything and believe me these yahoos will do whatever it takes to get the story.” Lonnie walked back toward the bed, eyeing the youngest member. “The fans mean well and all, but sometimes they can be worse than the media.” “I see.” Lonnie lifted Justin carefully from the bed and carried him to his chair. Placing him into the seat, he wrapped the safety harness around his chest, waist and thighs. Justin’s head lulled to the side, a small spattering of drool glistened on the side of his mouth. The bodyguard pulled out his handkerchief and dabbed it up with a chuckle. He turned his attention back to the doctor, “Are we ready?” “As ready as time allowed. We just have to wait for Nurse Jennings and then we can go.” “The helicopter ready?” “I was beeped about ten minutes ago with the all clear.” The doctor looked at his watch, “I just hope nothing major happens while we are up in the air.” “What do you mean, doctor?” “I’m talking a serious accident where they’d need the MedVac vehicle. I wouldn’t want the boys to have that hanging over their heads all their lives. They’ve got enough to think and worry about.” “You ain’t kidding.” Lonnie strolled acrossed the room and stood beside JC’s gurney. He wiped the flat of his hand over the brunette’s forehead, brushing tendrils of hair from his face. “I just hope they’ll be strong enough to overcome this.” The black man peered up, “They’re gonna need some help, I’m afraid.” “I’ve got that covered all ready, Lonnie. A friend of mine is going to meet up with us in Tennessee. She is very good and I’ve asked her to see all of you, not just the boys.” “Hmm,” Lonnie huffed. Nurse Jennings quietly entered the room. She confidently waltzed to the wheelchairs and double-checked the straps. “Looks like everything is ready, doctor.” “Did you get rid of the problem?” A loud clatter at the window drew their attention. The noise was becoming louder and more voices could be heard. “What the hell is going on?” “I fear we may have been to late. When I found Lou he was with two you girls.” “Yeah, so,” Lonnie said. “He was also typing away at the nurses’ station terminal.” “That’s impossible,” the doctor stuttered. “That’s what I thought at first, but the way he was gliding across the keyboard it was like he knew what he was doing. He had the passwords. When I finally got him to leave, I heard him mumble something about trying another station. I called security, but you know how busy they’ve been. There’s no telling if they found him in time.” “So you think Lou figured out where JC is?” Lonnie asked in a strained voice. “I don’t think we put in the suite number, just the floor.” Nurse Jennings looked over at Dr. Thompson. “However, additional information was added to his file this evening.” Lonnie glared at her dread marring his face. The nurse sadly tipped her head in the large man’s direction, “Sorry, Lonnie but the hospital had to document the use of the helicopter. They placed its use under JC’s file as an emergency air evac.” She placed the palm of her hand on her forehead, wiping the small amount of sweat that had appeared. “If Lou knew the codes, he knows about the emergency evac.” “Jesus Christ,” Lonnie boomed. “What else is gonna go wrong?” The bodyguard paced the room looking up every now and then at the boys in the room. Finally he spoke, “Let’s move.” Nurse Jennings nodded her head and rushed behind Justin’s chair. Dr. Thompson tipped his head in JC’s direction indicating that Lonnie should take the gurney. “What about the drips?” Lonnie asked. “I thought we’d have more time. We’ll need to unhook them.” The doctor approached JC and reached out for the lines. He gently unhooked them and instructed Lonnie to hold up one hand. “You’ll need to hold this above him. Can you steer the gurney with one hand?” “Looks like I don’t have much of a choice.” The doctor gave a weary smile. “No, you don’t.” Nurse Jennings wheeled Justin toward the door. She parked the young singer for a brief moment while she wedged the door open. Then going back to the youngster, she pushed his chair out of the suite, only looking back once to see if the others were following her. She sighed in relieve when she observed Lonnie coming through the door. As they approached the elevator she thought of something. “Look guys if they know we’re taking the helicopter then don’t you think there may be media circling the hospital. Should we cover them up with blankets or something so that they can’t tell who is who.” “That’s an excellent idea. Go get the blankets we’ll wait here.” “I’ll be right back,” the nurse said. She quickly skirted by the others and ran down the hallway stopping at the first medical closet. She punched in her code and the door immediately unlatched. Nurse Jennings flung the door open and snatched out four blankets. Tucking them under her arm, she raced back to the waiting men. “Here we are,” she said as she gave one to the doctor and placed two on JC’s gurney. She unfolded the one she kept and covered Justin with it, making sure to cover anything that would give them away. The nurse had bought some magazines when she began taking care of JC. She wanted to know more about them, although that was completely against everything she believed in. However, she silently thanked her misgivings when she noticed the baby blue in Justin’s shoes she leaned down and took them off. The doctor covered Lance and then opened the blankets and tucked them around JC. He made sure nothing was obstructed and that JC was completely enclosed. “All right,” he huffed. “Time to get going.” They waited patiently for the elevator to ping, signaling its arrival. One of the cars was on its way down, while the other on its way up. As the down carriage passed they could hear loud giggling and enthusiastic voices. The three nervously watched the carriage descend praying that it would bypass their floor. Their floor number lit up and they waited. The door didn’t open and the floor number changed and the voices became lower. “That was close,” Lonnie whispered as the second elevator’s door opened. They gently maneuvered all three boys into the small space and Nurse Jennings pressed the number for the last floor. “Doesn’t this go all the way up?” “No, we’ll have to change elevators when we hit the 20th floor. There shouldn’t be anyone up there, it’s our ward for incapacitated patients,” the nurse answered. “Incapacitated?” “Yes, they would be known to you as the preverbal ‘vegetable’,” Dr. Thompson explained. Without another word they rode up to the 20th floor. When the doors eased open, Nurse Jennings looked both ways down the corridor. The elevator they needed was just down the hall and to the left. She ducked her head back in and grabbed the handles of Justin’s wheelchair as tightly as she could. The nurse turned her head toward the two men and gave a quick sharp nod. She took a deep breath and charged out of the elevator turning the chair expertly. The doctor followed close behind, however, Lonnie was having more problems than he first anticipated. The two caregivers were down the hall and waiting for the carriages arrival while Lonnie was still struggling with maneuvering the large cumbersome gurney. They heard a loud ping. The bodyguard had finally removed the gurney from the elevator and was slowly making his way toward them. When he heard the ping he stopped dead in his tracks. The noise sounded to loud to be coming from in front of him. He timidly looked over his shoulder and to his horror watched as the second elevator began opening. “Shit.” The large man began awkwardly running with the gurney. He looked up and noticed Justin was already in the carriage and Nurse Jennings was quickly maneuvering Lance into it. Where the doctor, he thought. “There they are,” a screeching voice hollered. “Come on run,” another girl screamed. “I can’t believe we found them.” The group began swiftly moving down the corridor. Lonnie looked over his shoulder and carelessly ran into the wall with the corner of the gurney, causing him to stop. “Shit, shit, shit,” Lonnie huffed. “Come one.” He tried pulling the gurney back with one arm but it was to difficult. He needed to set the drips down. The bodyguard began lowering the drips until he felt a hand snatch his wrist. “Come on, move it,” the doctor yelled. The two of them realigned the gurney and began running. The doctor held the drips over his head, while Lonnie used both hands to steer. They could hear the girls nearly at there heels; they ran faster. Finally reaching their goal, Lonnie without thinking maneuvered the bed like a pro and drove them into the carriage. Nurse Jennings pressed the door close button and they watched anxiously as the door began closing. A girl came into view, just as the doors were about to shut, placing her hand between the sliding doors. The nurse pried them off and shoved the young girl into the unsuspecting girls behind her. The doors closed. “Nurse Jennings,” the doctor said in an exasperated voice. “Why did you push her?” “Are you serious?” she answered. “She’ll file a complaint against the hospital.” “Maybe but we could always file a counter suite for her being in a part of the hospital that is off limits. I think she’ll back off.” The elevator came to a rest and the doors opened. As suspected the air around the hospital was filled with media vehicles. They took deep breaths and exited the safety of the small compartment. The doctor stopped and turned around leaving Lance sitting. He hurried back to the elevator and reached inside, locking it location. He smiled. Dr. Thompson rushed toward Lance and pushed him in the direction of the helicopter. A man jumped from the front of the chopper and hustled toward Lonnie. He grabbed the drips and helped the large man steer the rolling bed. When they arrived at the running helicopter the man spoke. “I thought they said we’d be transporting two patients, not three.” “I’m afraid we had to put this one under due to his preexisting heart condition.” “We can’t take him.” “You have gotta, look around you son. There is no place for him to go.” “Doctor, you know the limits.” “Well, we’re just gonna have to push those limits, pilot. We need to get all three of them out of here and at the facilities in Tennessee.” The co-pilot stared at the doctor knowing full well he wouldn’t be able to change the man’s mind. “Okay, but if something goes wrong at anytime during the flight, we are setting the bird down.” “Fine. Yes. Whatever.” The co-pilot and Lonnie carefully lifted JC up into the bed of the helicopter. Dr. Thompson climbed in and fastened the gurney down and hooked up the drips. He turned his attention to the other two being placed into the chopper. The doctor checked Lances vitals and then Justin’s. It was tight squeeze but they managed all four of them. Nurse Jennings said good-bye to the doctor and headed back toward the elevator. Lonnie shook his hand. “Good luck doctor.” “You too.” Dr. Thompson peered over his shoulder, “make sure she gets to where she needs to be, Lonnie.” “Don’t worry. I’ve got her covered.” Lonnie turned around and quickly made his way in the direction of Nurse Jennings. They both stood and watched as the helicopter lifted off from the pad. It was only a matter of seconds before the MedVac was surround by police helicopters. Lonnie smiled. Good ole’ Johnny, he thought. Within minutes the helicopters were out of their sight. “Let’s go.” The moved into the elevator pressing a random numbered floor. ** The large black Envoy maneuvered through the dark streets. Two of its passengers were huddled together in the bench seat with a bodyguard sitting next on the end. The driver checked both mirrors before hurriedly changing lanes and passing the slow moving traffic. “Careful Carl, we don’t want anyone noticing us.” The driver nodded his head. Johnny looked over his shoulder and observed the two singers. They were squished together by the mere girth of the two bodyguards but they didn’t seem uncomfortable. He turned back just in time to catch a car changing lanes without signaling. “Carl, watch out.” The large bodyguard slammed on his breaks and jerked the wheel sending everyone harshly to the left. He honked his horn at the car in front of them flipping the woman off. “I’m sure I said not to make yourself known, didn’t I,” Johnny sneered. “Jesus, Carl. Why not put a fucking siren on and a large neon sign that reads NSYNC is here.” “Johnny settle down,” Mike said from behind the passenger seat. “We’ve only got about a mile left. No need to lose your head now.” “You’re right. Sorry Carl. I’m sure its hard enough driving in the city. You don’t need me yelling in your ear.” “It’s aight boss. I know you’re worried.” “Yeah, I am.” Joey was rubbing his forehead where it struck the window when he noticed a large group of helicopters leaving the area. “Hey guys. Look,” he screamed while pointing through the window. “That’s gotta be them. They got him out,” Joey exclaimed with tears in his eyes. “You’re right. That must be them,” Chris added and leaned in to Joey wrapping his arms around him, hugging him close. “They made it.” Carl changed lanes easing the Envoy into the left hand turn lane. When his arrow turned green he carefully turned the vehicle. “Holy hell,” he mumbled catching Johnny’s attention. “Jesus. Look at all the people here. I can’t believe this,” the manager said. “We’ve got to find a way to the back of the hospital.” Chris laughed. “I don’t think so Johnny,” he pointed out the window. “Now don’t those three people look suspicious?” Chris was pointing to a lady pushing a large man with bandages wrapped securely around his face and hands. The third person was a large figure pushing a grocery cart filled with garbage. The person’s face was covered with a hat and long stringy hairs from the gray wig it was wearing. “Pull over Carl. I think we’ve found them,” he laughed. Carl moved the Envoy to the curb and turned his hazard lights on. Johnny reached over and turned them off. “Opps,” Carl said. The manager just shook his head. He was to happy seeing his bodyguards and the nurse to reprimand the driver. Mike had the door open and helping the nurse inside before Johnny knew what was happening. Nurse Jennings sat abruptly next to Chris and pulled her hood down. “Hey fellas, did you miss me,” she asked the two singers. “Did they make it?” Joey replied. She smiled at the concern, “Yes, sweetie. They made it.” The two bodyguards jumped into the very back when they realized there wouldn’t be enough room for them. Johnny turned around and looked the two over. “Where did you find him,” the manager said as he nodded toward Wes. “Believe it or not, he was the only one who spotted us in our clever disguise.” “So, I guess that means Lou is at the hospital and not the hotel. That’s perfect. He won’t know we’ve left yet.” He turned back around in his seat, winking at the two boys in the process. “All right, Carl. Get us to the airport. We’ve got a plane to catch.”