The phone kept ringing, but she didn't pick it up. Not at all. She didn't wanna have to deal with whoever it was that was calling.

Lauren was curled up in her queen-size bed, staring off into space. She hadn't gotten out in more than twenty-four hours, except to go to the bathroom, and she didn't particularly want to either. She was wearing a sweatshirt that belonged to Brian; one that he had lent to her a while back when they were in Germany on the World Tour. She hadn't given it back, and now it was all she had left.

The phone rang again. "God, shut up!" she exclaimed to an empty room, but the phone didn't stop ringing. Bailey had already left a message on her machine. She had found out about her and Brian through Howie when they had both been at the hospital. Lauren assumed she had told Nathalie, Faren, probably even Gray. I haven't seen Gray in a while,' she thought to herself, despite the annoying ringing.

She knew, however, that Gray had taken the news about Nick quite harshly. He was down at the hospital to see him quite often, but didn't wanna talk about it much....not that she could blame him. It was tough.

She also knew that Brian was NOT going to call her. She had no intentions of calling him...she needed not to even see him or hear his voice...she needed time.

Lauren finally gave in to the phone and picked it up. "Hello?" she said almost rudely.

"Jesus Lauren, try picking up your phone once and a while!" exclaimed AJ's voice on the other end. Lauren apologized, but then he asked her how she was. AJ had been a witness to the horrible fight, and it must have made him uncomfortable as hell, along with Howie and Kevin.

Lauren made up some bullshit about how she was okay, and asked why he had called her.

"Laur," AJ said, excitedly, "Nick woke up."

"What?! You're joking, right?! Oh my god, tell me you're joking!" she exclaimed, sitting up suddenly and smiling.

"Nope, he's awake and doing okay, according to doctors...a little out of it, but okay!" he said. Lauren was speechless; she didn't know what to say, but she was overcome with joy. "Are you gonna come down here?" he asked.

Lauren paused. She almost said, "Of course! I'll be right there!" but then remembered: Brian. She couldn't go to the hospital now because Brian would be there. She told this to AJ.

"Well...." he trailed off, "maybe.....well, um.....could you suck it up for an hour?"

She really wanted to, but couldn't. "Okay, well how about if I just take Brian downstairs to the coffee shop or something while you're here....he's been up all night anyway. I'm sure he could use some caffeine," AJ suggested, and Lauren agreed.

They hung up, and Lauren started to get dressed. The thing she wanted most was to stay in Brian's sweatshirt, but she got changed and hopped in her car, excited to see Nick for the first time in weeks.

She entered the hospital which she knew by now off by heart with extreme caution. Brian could always be walking around. She made her way up to Nick's floor and walked in the room. She smiled brightly when she saw Nick, sitting up in bed, talking to Bobbie Jean.

"Nicky," she exclaimed, as she kept smiling. Nick got all happy as she walked closer. "Laur!" he said, excitedly, holding out his arms for a hug. One arm was still in a splint, but the cuts and bruises on his face were almost totally healed.

Lauren leaned in and hugged him tightly, trying not to hurt him, though. She kissed the top of his head and smiled. "Damn Nick, you had all of us pretty damn worried!" she said, smiling at BJ.

Nick shrugged shyly, and Lauren said, "Well, all that matters is that you're okay."

"Thanks, Laur," he said, then his expression changed to sort of confused. "Um, Nicky, I'll leave you two alone," offered BJ, as she got up trying not to smile and left the room.

"What's wrong Nick?" she asked, wondering if this had anything at all to do with Brian.

"Lauren," he said seriously, "I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?"

He took a deep breath and began, "I told this to Brian just this morning....it has to do with you, too." Lauren looked at him inquisitively, and he started again, "When Brian told me that you two were engaged, I guess I pretty much freaked out. I started wondering if he was still going to be my best friend, or if he's quit the Backstreet Boys and become a husband....it beat me up inside, wondering and worrying if my career was over, too....I was scared of what might happen, so naturally I was mean and unfair to the guys."

Lauren still looked confused, as he continued, "I started copping such an attitude with them, especially Brian, who one night in Texas or something helped me off the floor when I was so drunk I passed out...he helped me even though I was giving him attitude...but that didn't stop me...I hated myself, I hated the guys, and I hated Brian for leaving me alone. That night you called me I had just freaked out at them and I went driving...which is when I had my crash; because I was so agitated."

Lauren drew in a breath; it was true. "Nicky, I..." she started, but Nick continued, "I almost threw away my life because I was being a selfish brat...today Brian told me about you two...told me that you gave back the ring...told me you two had a fight and weren't on good terms....I'm so sorry Laur..."

Lauren began to cry again. She had thought all her tears had dried up from all her previous crying, but they hadn't. "Nick," she said tearfully, "it's not your fault...we were just having problems...."

Nick shrugged and said, "I know...I'm sorry though.....sorry for everything..sorry for putting you all through this shit....sorry for making you watch me like this.."

Lauren just smiled, even though she was sad on all accounts. "I'm just glad you're okay," she said, kissing him again on the forehead. Just as she sat down again, in walked Brian and AJ, back from their little coffee break.