Leaning against the opened door, he managed a small lopsided grin as he saw Ty standing there. "Hey Ty."

"Hi AJ." she looked at his face and sighed, "Does it hurt?"

"Only when I touch it, sleep on it or blink." he waved her inside, "What are you doing out at nearly four in the morning?"

"Getting away from Howard."

AJ went over and laid on the couch, replacing the ice pack on his face. "You never call him Howard."

"Things change I guess."

"What did he do now?"

"Nothing...I swear." she said seeing the look in AJ's eyes. "Really nothing. Its just he's not acting himself...and I realized I don't like who he's becoming."

"No one likes themselves in this."

"J don't try and cover for him."

"I'm not, I'm kinda regretting not hurting him a little myself but... he's my brother..." he sighed softly and looked back at her. "How are you doing?"

"Oh I'm fine."

"Liar."

"I just wish this wasn't happening." she admitted, toying with the wedding ring on her finger. "Do you think we'll ever be the same?"

AJ let out a deep sigh, "I hope so. God I hope so."

*****

By the time the sun was up Nick was all ready out of the shower and half dressed as he roamed around the room, trying to get rid of his nervous energy. It was too early to go downstairs and make himself breakfast, that would guarantee waking at least one or two people and he didn't want to face the others right then, especially Brian. His best friend for almost half his life didn't seem to care anymore. All he wanted was for him to...hell he didn't know what he wanted him to do but just show that he actually still gave a damn about him

Kevin awoke to the sound of rain hitting the balcony doors. He laid there half asleep for awhile until he felt Alec stir in his arms. She turned her head and looked at her husband, "Are you awake?" she whispered.

"Yeah." he watched her roll over. "Did I wake you?"

She shook her head, "The rain did." she propped herself up on her elbow and looked down at him. "What are you thinking?"

Kevin shrugged, "Bunch of things, nothing you'd find too interesting."

"I always find what you think interesting." she brushed a few strands of hair out of his eyes, "Its about Lou and everything..."

"Alec..."

"What? We're all involved so just tell me what's going through your mind right now...I can almost hear your mind working."

He chuckled softly, "If he keeps this all up I'm planning on going to see him." No need to tell her he all ready had an appointment. It would only worry her.

"Why?"

"To tell him he won't be able to push us around any longer. He may have gotten to AJ who knows how but he will not get the four of us."

She nodded, "Sounds like a good idea."

"Good. Now can we please have a day without thinking of all this?"

"Now that I think we can definitely do."

*****

"What do you mean there's a problem with the press release?" Lou asked tiredly as he walked into his home office. He listened to the person on the other end try and explain it to him. "I can draft one myself...no it'll take less time then sending one of the interns to do some research." he clicked the phone off and rubbed his neck tiredly, what kind of people did he have working for him if they had to research AJ's career? Shaking his head he sat down at his desk and turned the computer on, beginning to write a new draft of the release.

*****

Howie woke up startled, unsure of his surroundings as his eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room. He was surprised to find himself in the studio, he couldn't even remember making it down there. The last thought he had was of Ty pulling out the driveway and him standing on the step watching her speed away. Rubbing a hand over his tired face, he winced as he felt where she'd slapped him before taking off. Man it still stung, he thought as he worked his jaw trying to regain some circulation in his face. Picking up his empty glass he slowly headed upstairs. In his mind he was all ready beginning to form a plan, a plan he figured would free them all.

Covering a sleeping Ty with a blanket AJ eased himself off the chair and slowly padded his way into the bedroom, tossing his wifebeater off as he headed for the shower. His entire body felt numb, being overtired from the events of the last forty eight hours. He wondered where Jenn was, it wasn't like her to take off and not tell him but he figured she went home to the beach house and crashed.

Jenn rolled over in the hotel bed, after leaving Howie's she'd just driven as far as she could, wanting to get as much distance as possible between her and everyone. Finally she'd come across a small hotel a few hours away and checked in, falling asleep as soon as she'd hit the bed. It occurred to her she had no idea where she was as she looked at the ceiling. Not that she minded, at the moment just being away from everything helped a part of her relax. Looking at her watch she realized it wasn't even noon yet, she'd wait till at least then to call AJ and let him know where she was. Crawling out of bed she went in search of a room service menu and breakfast.

*****

Brian took a seat at the breakfast table, finding the leftovers covered and still sitting there. "Am I the last one up?" he asked Nick who was sitting there.

"Lis is still asleep. Big surprise there." he rolled his eyes and went back to skimming the sports section.

Watching his friend Brian shook his head, "What do you see me as Frack?"

Nick lifted his eyes from the paper, "What do you mean?"

"I mean am I even one of your friends anymore?"

He sighed turning the page. "I guess."

"Great. Well tell you what, you keep your distance I'll keep mine and as soon as we're out of this house we won't need to see each other again, good enough for you?"

Nick's eyes narrowed, "Perfect." he said sarcastically and threw his paper down. "I'm going outside."

Brian watched him go and sighed, picking the paper up as Lis walked in. "Did I hear Nicky go out?" she asked glancing outside.

Bri nodded, "He hates me."

"No not exactly...he doesn't understand why you didn't tell him he had to stay..." she took a sip of Nick's cold coffee and pushed it away.

"Did he say that?"

"When he was talking to himself last night yeah." she brushed a few strands of hair out of her eyes. "I don't understand him lately."

He shrugged, "Maybe something's getting to him."

"Like what? Is there something I don't know?" she questioned, whatever was going on with her husband she'd like to know. Or at the very least have some sort of idea.

*****

Ty yawned as she sat up on the sofa, she blinked a few times to clear her vision and smiled at AJ. "What are you doing?"

"Ah I see someone's finally up. You know you should of crashed in bed, much better for your back."

"I'm fine. What's all that?" she asked, seeing the tray in AJ's arms.

"This my dear is called breakfast a la room service." he smiled as he set it down on the table. "So if you want to come over here we'll eat and talk."

She walked over and gave him a hug, "Thanks..."

"For what? Ordering food? I was hungry too..." he pulled the chair back for her then went over and sat down across the table.

"You know for what, listening to my tirade last night...letting me stay here...not killing Howie when you had reason to."

"What can I say, I gave him a free shot." he smiled and immediately winced, "Damn, still hurts."

"I would think so...it looks a bit better though."

"Good to know. Now eat!!"

"Yes dad."

"Hey now!!"

She laughed, "Sorry! Hear from Jenn?"

"Not yet..." he sighed and stirred his coffee. "I'll call her soon if she doesn't call me first."

"After seeing her last night, don't think you need to worry about her."

AJ laughed, "She really went after him huh?"

Ty nodded, "Oh yeah...I think she shocked him..."

Walking down the beach Nick frowned finding Shan sitting a little down the beach, flipping through a magazine. "Nick?" she called as he tried to walk past her.

Sighing he turned around, "Hi Shan...you look busy I'll keep walking."

"Come...sit..." she put her magazine down and patted the blanket next to her. "You were up early."

He sat down wearily, "Yeah well couldn't sleep."

"Me either. Too hot in the house last night."

"Never really noticed." he mumbled, looking out at the water. He kept waiting for the calmness he always got from the water to wash over him, yet it never did.

"You're kinda quiet lately..." she said looking him over. "You know we're friends Nick...you can talk to me if you want..."

His blue eyes drifted to her and he sighed, "Why would you care?"

"Like I said we're friends...known each other a long time all ready...what's going on?"

"Stuff...lot of stuff..." he sighed quietly and started drawing in the sand. "Can I ask you something?"

"Course."

*****

Paul smiled as Howie took a seat in front of him, "I was rather surprised at your invitation for lunch this afternoon Howard."

"Can the bullshit Paul." Howie said coldly as he picked up his menu and glanced through it. "I'm willing to make you an offer..."

"I think it was vice versa if I remember right."

"I'm not about to accept that deal..."

"Wouldn't it be a shame for your reputation to be ruined with murder charges? You're so young Howie, such a long life ahead of you...a beautiful wife...child on the way...loving friends and family."

"I'm going to buy your silence and in turn you and Lou will back off...from the five of us."

Paul set down his water glass, "Well this sounds interesting, but I can assure you this isn't a way out. You're only free and clear once you're under contract to Lou. In fact if you change your mind, I do have a copy of your contract here in my briefcase."

"I'm not interested in anything having to do with contracts or solo careers or Lou's management. What I am interested in is getting the five of us free..."

"Five? AJ's all ready signed."

"Against his better judgment. You have to know a sane and rational man would never have given into any of this."

Paul shrugged, "According to Lou he signed willingly and was quite happy to get away from the rest of you. Perhaps you're not ready to admit he truly wanted his career back. How long before the four of you go stir crazy? Music is in your blood Howie...it's what you love doing."

*****

"This was a really good idea." Alec commented as they followed the waiter to the table.

"See I told you I was capable of those." he smiled as they stopped at an empty table and he pulled the chair out for her.

"Occasionally." she picked up the menu and opened it, "Its nice to actually be out."

He nodded, taking a sip of water as he surveyed the restaurant. Actually for lunchtime it wasn't too busy. He stopped seeing what he recognized as Howie's back and his forehead wrinkled as he lost himself in thought.

"What is it?" she asked, seeing the expression on her husband's face.

"I could swear that's Howie over there. He didn't come back to the beach house last night did he?"

"No I assumed he and Ty were having a little quiet time."

"That could be. But what would he be doing with Paul?"

"Business?" she set the menu down, "Kev, I know you're worried about the others and I am too...but you said today would be just us..."

"I'm sorry, you're right." He gave her an apologetic smile, "Now where were we?"