Part 7:
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Nick sunk onto the bed, things just kept getting worse. Why had he even
agreed to it?? Sure the guys had other secrets, they all did...some even
among the five of them but whatever he was holding over each of them they
weren't even sharing amongst each other. In the far off distance he heard
the rev of the boat engine and he jumped off the bed, running to the
window where he saw the boat fading into the distance. 


Jenn woke up to the sound of AJ knocking something over in the darkness
and swearing under his breath. "AJ?" 

"What? Did I wake you? Sorry I was trying to leave you sleep." he
whispered, sitting on the edge of the bed while rubbing his shin.

"Where you going?"

"Gonna sit outside, can't sleep. Thought maybe I'd be first in line for a
McD's drive-thru breakfast." He smiled at her. "I'll bring something back
for you."

"That's okay." she yawned, "Want some company?"

"I'll be okay, just need to do some thinking. You go back to sleep." he
leaned over and kissed her softly....

"All right, night." she mumbled, rolling over.

AJ sat there for a minute just watching her sleep for a couple minutes
before he got up and headed out to the balcony. He made himself
comfortable on the lounger and pull out his now everpresent cigarettes and
lit on up, trying to block the memories that had been flooding his mind.

~Flashback~

"This was a long time ago, no one's gonna care about this shit." AJ said
throwing the papers and pictures on the desk.

"No one's gonna care the rebellious Backstreet Boy is really more of a bad
boy then he seems? I think more people would be interested in that than
not, especially your little drug episodes and drunken rages..."

AJ shook his head, "I did a little experimenting once in awhile, most
people do. I ain't buying this junk." he stood up, "You know what, take
this pile of crap and stuff it straight up your ass."

He laughed, a sickly laugh that made AJ cringe. "Oh no my boy, this little
packet of information is being sent straight to every major newspaper and
magazine...with of course a few being sent to your wife, brothers and of
course Denise."

AJ paled, "Your one sick human being."

"Only if I don't get what I want. Now take a seat Alexander and listen to
the terms of my silence."

~End flashback~

AJ flicked his cigarette butt over the railing and shook his head sadly,
he sold out...not only him but the others. He leaned his head back against
the cushions and let his eyes drift to the bed where Jenn was sleeping. He
had to protect her, that's why he had agreed to it he reasoned.


Howie quickly dialled the number and glanced at the closed door to the
bedroom. Ty was still sleeping soundly or so he hoped as he listened to
the ringing. As soon as someone picked up he sighed with relief. "Howie?"
the voice asked.

"Yeah, look I'm coming into Puerto Rico this weekend...I need someone to
meet me at the airport."

"I thought you couldn't come."

"AJ's seemingly better so I think I can risk it. Besides he's got the
other fellas."

"All right, I'll arrange a flight and make sure someone picks you up. You
doing okay?"

Howie traced the wood patterns on his desk. "I'm alive that's all that
matters right now. I'll see you this weekend."

"See you then."

Howie set the phone down and opened the bottom drawer of his desk, staring
straight up at him was an envelope identical to the one the others had
been given. Hesitantly he pulled it out and removed the rather thick stack
of papers from inside. 

Just as he was about go through them all he heard Ty get out of bed, "Ty?"
he called, tossing the papers back into his desk and locking it up. He
pushed the door open and saw the empty bed. "Ty?"

The bathroom door opened and she walked out, "What is it D?" she asked
yawning.

"You okay? I heard you get up..."

"Fine, just got a touch of the flu." The nine month kind, she added
silently.

"Oh...do you need anything?"

"No I'm okay. What are you upto?"

"Paperwork...got some things to do before I meet Paul down in Puerto Rico
this weekend."

Her eyes widened, "Your going away?"

"Can't be helped, there's some things we need to go over."

"Right."

"It's just a couple day trip, I'll be back before you know it."

"You always say that." 

"And most of the time I'm right."


Lis docked the boat and sat there staring at the house. It was completely
dark a sure sign Nick had left. Finally, she thought a feeling of relief
coming over her. She simply didn't have enough energy to put up with him
and listen to his lies. She grabbed the keys out of the ignition and her
coat and went to check the cabin in case she'd left anything down there.


"Since when did you have an aversion to sleeping?" Alec asked, sitting
down next to Kev on the couch.

He smiled, "Since I think too much."

"You think but you don't talk."

"Alec...its too late to start this..."

She sighed, "There's always some excuse."

Kevin stood up, "Maybe in a few days I'll be able to tell you some things
all right? First I need to talk to the guys see where we all stand on some
issues."

"Isn't it a little late to reconsider breaking up the group?"

"The group is gone, permanently."

"Why? Did you guys have a fight? AJ want to try to go solo again? Brian
wants to start his family?" she asked, her eyes following him as he walked
around the room.

"Alec, its none of your business okay?" he yelled.

"I think it is when it concerns you and our best friends!" she yelled
back.

"Look none of this concerns you so just..."

"Oh so the fact basically the five of you seem to be waiting for something
to happen while we sit back and watch doesn't concern me. Fine, then guess
what, nothing I do anymore concerns you either." and with that she stormed
out of the room.