Mackenzie and Sebastian stood at the airport windows and waved at the plane as Nick was slowly taken from the family again. The video shoot would only take a few days in Los Angelos, but they already missed him again. They had a week together after the tour . . . a whole week. Unfortunately, the whole week was plagued by more letters from Nick's "Secret Admirer" who security already labeled as a full blown stalker now. Each professed the same love to him, but at the same time added more threats to Melissa, Mackenzie and Sebastian.

"Mommy . . . when will Daddy be back?" Mackenzie asked once the plane was out of sight.

"He said he'd be back Tuesday . . . that's four days from now," Melissa replied as she took the kid's hands. They slowly made their way out to their Dodge Durango, while two body guards stayed right with them. Nick didn't want to take any chances so he hired two guards to take shifts and watch the family. Melissa felt the gate around their estate was enough, but Nick insisted. You never know how far this girl will go . . .

Once all five were safely in the vehicle - Melissa and David up front while Joe sat between the two kids - Melissa drove them the 15 miles back home.

The next two days were akward as they adjusted to constantly having a body guard in the house. Soon Mackenzie took advantage to the situation by making the two men her new playmates. She somehow coerced Joe into a daily tea party and promised not to tell a soul if David let her play with her Barbie™ makeup set on him. Needless to say, he didn't look too tough with blue eyeshadow and pink lipstick . . . but he felt it a good enough sacrifice to stop her bugging.

"Mackenzie! Sebastian! Come give Mommy a kiss!" Melissa called up the stairs as she grabbed her purse and car keys. The thunder of two pairs of feet echoed down the stair case as the two ran to say good bye. The babysitter was already sitting in the living room with Joe - who had the day shift. "I'm going to go to the store and be right back. Behave for Michelle, ok?"

Two large grins and a chorus of "Yes, Mommy" followed as she bent and gave them each a hug and kiss. Melissa was then out the door for a quick stop at the grocery store and dry cleaners before picking up Nick's laptop from being repaired.

The gorgeous blue sky and warm sun were the deciding factors in Melissa's choice to walk from the grocery store to the dry cleaners and repair shop rather than drive. The classic Florida weather was just too good to pass up by trying to find a parking space. After packing the groceries in the back of the Durango, she locked the S.U.V. and started walking the few blocked to Sunny's Dry Cleaners.

After picking up the drying cleaning, she made her way across the street and got Nick's laptop. With the shoulder strap slung over her shoulder, she then started the trek back to the grocery store parking lot. Bending her head to find the keys in her purse, Melissa walked by the dark alley next to the grocery store and suddenly felt a forceful grip on her ponytail before she was yanked into the shadowed depths between buildings.

She opened her mouth to scream but a hand was clamped over her face. "Scream and die . . ." a rough male voice whispered as his body pinned her against the brick wall.

"Be careful with her, Johnny . . . she's a big superstar's wife . . ." The new voice came from behind him . . . and belonged to a tall blond woman. Her face was that of a model - with smooth skin and fine bone structures - but her coldness was enough to freeze the depths of Hell. She approached Melissa and removed the laptop's case from her shoulder, peeking inside before returning her attention to Melissa's face. "Hello, Melissa. You probably don't know who I am . . ."

With a fearful shake of her head, Melissa kept watching her.

"Such a shame . . . Maybe I'll mention this friendly little meeting in my next letter." Picking up the computer, she turned and walked back ot the sunny street. "Have fun Johnny . . ." she called over her shoulder before disappearing around the corner.

The next thing Melissa knew was sharp pain from his fist colliding with her cheek. Her eyes flew open as his other hand came up to her throat. Marcus . . . her eyes filled with tears as flashbacks mingled in reality . . . the abuse of her ex-husband mixed with the beating she was going through now. Going limp, she felt her body slide down against the wall . . . her knees curling up to her chest. Choking sobs came from her lips as she murmured a name . . . the only one she knew could help. Nick.

"Nick . . . phone call," the Boys' manager called as the five Backstreet Boys roamed around the set, waiting for the next scene.

Climbing down from his perch on top of a plaster and plywood castle, Nick made his way over and took the phone. "Hello?"

"Daddy?" Mackenzie's voice came over the line.

"Munchkin? Is something wrong?" Nick could hear the small hint of fear in the child's voice as he pressed the reciever tighter against his ear.

"Mommy's hurt . . . she said I was supposed to call you. Here she is . . ." There was silence over the line before Melissa's voice came on. Nick's heart was racing in the few moments it took for her to speak.

"Nick . . . baby, I'm scared."

"What happened?!"

"The girl . . . from the letters. She hired some guy . . . they pulled me into an alley when I went to get your computer . . . she took your laptop and then he . . . " her sobs cut into the conversation. A mingle of choked words followed . . . pain, Marcus, so scared . . .

"Mel . . . sweetie . . . calm down," he softly said. "I'm coming home tomorrow . . . don't leave the house alone. Are you ok? Did you go to the doctor?"

"I'll be ok . . . but I'm so scared, Nickers . . ."

"I know . . . I promise that I'll be home tomorrow. No matter what . . ."