"So what did you find out about Katie?" Linz asked in the car after she and Kevin had left the restaurant.

"Huh?" Kevin tore his eyes away from the road for a moment to frown at her. He hadn't told her what he and A.J. had been talking about.

Linz rolled her eyes. "Come on, Kev, it's pretty obvious that you're worried about her. I mean why else would you have to talk to A.J.?"

Kevin laughed, shaking his head and concentrating on the road again. "You know me pretty well, don't you, honey?"

"I have been married to you for two years."

"Well...I didn't find anything about why she's avoiding me, but it seems like she and A.J. are having problems. Fighting a lot, as far as I can tell," Kevin said.

"Why do you think that? What did he say?" Linz asked.

"Not much of anything until I told him that I noticed a change between him and Katie. Then he totally went off on me, yelling about how their relationship is beyond just having sex or something like that, I don't remember exactly what because I was in a state of shock. I mean, you know Bone. He gets pissed at things, but he hardly ever yells," Kevin reminded her.

"That's odd," Linz agreed, nodding.

"I mean, he wouldn't be that defensive about it if there wasn't a problem," Kevin mused.

Linz nodded. "True."

"I just can't help but wonder what it is," Kevin said. "She and A.J. used to have a great relationship."

"Kev, don't take this too personally, but maybe it's not really our business," Linz said carefully.

"Of course not, but you know me, and how I worry, Linz," Kevin said.

"Oh yes," Linz agreed. "If we ever have daughters, then G-d help them."

Kevin laughed. "You're so right."

"But anyway, Kev, this sounds like a more intricate problem than the ones they've had before. I think it's time for them to solve it on their own."

"I know it is. But it's affecting the relationship I have with her."

"Be patient, Kev," Linz ordered. "It will work itself out in time."

"I just wish..." He sighed sharply, rubbing his forehead.

Linz put a hand on his arm. "I know, honey."

Kevin was silent for a moment, thinking as he stared out at the road. Then he suddenly started speaking again. "I guess it's not just this that's bugging me the most," he said.

"What's bugging you the most?" Linz asked.

"Just everything. The whole group hasn't really been getting along lately, and I don't know why. Maybe because everyone's settling down and getting married, maybe because we're just outgrowing each other...I don't know."

Linz frowned. "Things seemed fine back at the restaurant."

"I'm not talking about when you and the other girls are around. Then we're fine. I mean when it's just the five of us. We can never seem to agree on anything any more," he said.

"Maybe you're right then. Maybe you are outgrowing each other."

Kevin shook his head as he turned onto the street where the apartment they were renting temporarily was. "I don't want that to happen though. We always talked about being together as a group for a long time. I want that to happen."

Linz put a comforting hand on his knee. "Kev, if the others really want that too, then it will happen somehow. Maybe you just need a break from each other."

Kevin laughed wryly, entering the small parking garage. "I bet that's exactly what we need. But it's not going to happen."

"Why?"

"Because we're too damn busy, Linz. We don't have the time to take that kind of a break. We just had a week and a half for Nick's honeymoon, but that wasn't enough. I'm talking two or three months. Our schedule won't even give us one month. We're booked solid with interviews and stuff right up until we start touring," he complained, pulling the car into a parking space.

"That sucks."

"I know."

"Well, at least when you go on tour, you'll have us with you."

Kevin looked at her in surprise. "What?"

Linz covered her mouth with her hand. "Shit."

"What do you mean, we'll have you with us?" he asked, starting to smile.

"Nothing..."

"You're planning on coming with us this time?" Kevin asked, his smile growing into a grin.

Linz put her head in her hands. "I'm such an idiot. Yes, we are, Kev. It was supposed to be a surprise though. For you and Brian, because Karen and I have never gone with you before."

"Aw...honey..." Kevin said, wrapping his arms around her.

"Promise me you'll act surprised when you find me in your bunk on the first day of the tour? And promise you won't tell Brian?"

"Yes and yes," Kevin answered. "Honey, I'm so excited. This is going to be so wonderful."

Linz laughed. "Why? Because you'll be able to get some every night?"

"Well that's not what I was thinking, but...okay," he agreed. "I was thinking because I'll be able to have you with me."

"That's sweet," Linz said, kissing his cheek. Patting his knee, she reached to unbuckle her seat belt. "Now come on, Kev. We have to go upstairs eat if we want to be ready on time."

He frowned. "For what?"

"Movie premiere tonight," Linz reminded him. "Come on, let's go."


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