Kierstan sat straight up in her bed. Sweat rolling down her face, trying to keep the scream from escaping her lips. She looked back towards the bed for AJ, but he wasn't there. "AJ?" She whispered. He wouldn't just leave me here, would he? She got out of bed and wrapped her robe around her, making her way down the stairs. "AJ, are you down here?" Kierstan poked her head in the den and saw that not only was AJ there but so were the rest of the guys, and Vivian. The box of letters in the middle of the room. Vivian's eyes were red with tears, fear spread across her face.

"Oh God K..." She began and finished it with a hug. "Why didn't you tell me sweetie?"

"I just couldn't Viv."

The guys all sat in silence, not knowing what to say to her. No one knew she had been going through anything like this. She played it off well over the last six months. But it had just been too much, and the idea of someone hurting AJ had taken the last bit of strength she had. Finally, keeping him safe had been the only thing she cared about and she had ended it. While the dream had been bothering her, it was nothing compared to the other nightmares she had been having.

AJ stood from his place on the couch and made his way to her. He pulled her into his arms and held her for a moment. How much she needed that at this moment he could never know. Pulling away he kissed her softly on the forehead. "Did you sleep any better last night?" She smiled up at him with knowing eyes. "You know I did." Well, she had until he had gotten up.

"What time is it anyway."

"A bit past noon."

"Jesus, you let me sleep that long."

"Kierstan, when's the last time you actually slept at all?"

She looked down at the floor and shook her head. That she couldn't remember. She walked over to the couch opposite the one Kevin and Howie were sitting on. "You know, you guys don't have to be so...so damn quiet. I'm not gonna break or anything."

Still no one said anything. "Goodness kids, I've never seen you like this. Ya want food or something."

"Oh yeah food would be GREAT!"

Kierstan rolled her eyes. "Nothing like the mention of food to get a man talking. But I do believe that you guys know where the kitchen is. I'm going to get the mail." "I'll go with you."

"AJ, its just to the end of the driveway. I think I can manage."

He shook his head. "Nope, I don't care if it's on the front porch. I told you already. You go no where without me. Not until this lunatic is behind bars."

"Kierstan?"

"Yeah?"

"I just want you to know how much we love you, all of us. And no matter what, we will do anything it takes to help okay."

Kierstan stood up and hugged Brian. "Thank you. But I'm fine really."

Vivian and AJ rolled their eyes at one another. She always had to be in control of the situation, and when she wasn't she convinced herself she was. Kierstan never let anyone see how weak and fragile she really was at times. The night before had been a rare occasion. And she wasn't about to let on to anyone else see how terrified she was. She wished AJ didn't even know.

"Okay everyone stop looking like your dog just died okay. Everything is going to be FINE. Now if my bodyguard would please escort me to the mailbox..."

The couple made their way silently down the driveway. AJ watched her intently through his sunglasses. She really was beautiful. God, if anything happened to her...he stopped his thoughts there. Not allowing them to go any further. The very idea of it made him weak and uneasy. They had to catch this guy. If I ever get my hands on him...

"AJ...hello...AJ..." Kierstan interrupted his thoughts.

"Sorry."

"Daydreaming about your other girlfriend I guess." She teased.

"That's not funny Kierstan, not now."

"Lord, you people gotta take everything so seriously. Do you wanna open the mailbox and check for bombs or do you think its okay for me to do it?"

"This isn't funny K, you need to stop acting like it is. This is serious."

"Yeah, so do want to or do you want me to?"

He only looked at her. Not believing this was the same weak, scared little girl that had collapsed in his arms last night. Why did she always have to put up such a front, even for him?

She opened the mailbox and a single gasp left her lips and all the color drained from her face. "AJ.." She looked up to him, her eyes once again filled with nothing but fear. Kierstan reached in the mailbox pulling out a single black envelope. She handed it to AJ. "I can't. You...do it." He took the envelope from her hands and pulled her to him. He held her close for a while before they made their way back into the house.