On the drive to Tampa, Howie watched Sarah as she stared out the window. He was worried about her and having her friends from Fernandina show up at the club. Her reaction was hard to read. When she first saw them, she looked scared but then she had been happy introducing them to Kevin and AJ.

Breaking the silence, Howie asked, "Sarah, what’s up with Alison and Vanessa?"

"They were in Tabu and I thought they’d be perfect for Kevin and AJ."

"No...you’re reaction. You spit your drink out all over the table and you looked like you’d seen a ghost giving me the impression that you weren’t happy to see them. Then you were hugging them and introducing them like they were your long lost buddies."

Sarah sighed and rested her head on Howie’s shoulder. She played with his ID bracelet as he wove his fingers with hers. She said softly, "I felt like I’d seen a ghost...the ghost of my life in Fernandina. First of all, I was GLAD to see them because we were like the four musketeers when we were growing up. We went everywhere together, we did everything together, we shared everything. I mean, Becca’s my best friend because we’ve been through so much, mainly my marriage to Russell and then my accident and all the shit he put me through at college and she knows me, the adult me. But Ali and Ness....they know ME, the me before Russell, the me with Russell, the me after the accident, the me that makes me the woman you love so much. They know ALL of me, with the exception of what has happened since I left Fernandina."

Sarah paused and Howie asked, "You said the four musketeers. I take it Chrissy was a part of all that?"

"Yeah. She was. Chrissy is Ali’s cousin and Russell is Ness’ cousin. They mentioned him when I was talking to them downstairs and I couldn’t help but wonder if he sent them to check up on me. That’s why I wasn’t too happy to see them but I love them dearly and I think they will have fun with AJ and Kevin."

"Do you really think Russell sent them down to check on you?"

"I don’t know, ‘D’. It’s been almost two years since I’ve seen them so I don’t know what’s going on. I know that when Russell was cheating on me, Ness tried to defend me and that’s when all three of us cut Chrissy off. I just don’t know if he got to Ness or not."

Howie squeezed her hand. "Angel, what IF they ARE here for him?"

"Then whatever they THINK they have with AJ and Kevin will be history."

Howie laughed, "A bit protective of those two."

"No more so than they are of me."

Howie got serious, "Sarah, if Russell is trying to spy on you or whatever, I WILL take care of it. I’m going to protect you no matter what."

Sarah gave Howie a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, D."

"Now...what about this picture that Ali and Ness have of you that you don’t want me to see?"

Sarah laughed, "It’s REALLY embarrassing....I’m sure you’ll get to see it before too long."

*************

Pulling into the hospital parking lot, Sarah shook as if she were cold and Howie asked, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just brings back memories. Come on. Nick was REALLY upset and I have to know if Becca's okay."

It was late when they arrived so there was no one around to see them go inside. As they rode up on the elevator, Howie held Sarah close trying to block the memories of her stay in the hospital. He was having a hard time handling it as well but he didn't want Sarah to know it. She needed him to be strong for her. There was also Nick and Becca. If Nick was as upset as Sarah made it sound, then he would have to be there for Nick as well. Getting off the elevator, Sarah spotted Nick sitting in the waiting room, his head in his hands, and it was obvious that he was crying. Her heart went into her throat and she turned to Howie. He saw it too and putting his hand on the small of her back, he led Sarah to where Nick was sitting.

As the two approached him, Nick looked up and a flood of tears cascaded down his cheeks. From somewhere deep inside, Sarah found the strength she needed and took Nick in her arms. He held her tight, tears falling into her hair as she rubbed his back. Howie asked softly,

"Where's Becca?"

"X-ray," sobbed Nick.

"For what?" asked Sarah as she got Nick to sit back down.

"Her ankle. Sarah, what in the hell am I going to do?" sobbed Nick, tears starting fresh.

"First of all, you need to calm down, Nick. What happened?" said Howie.

Nick took a deep breath and started, "We were at the house and we'd just finished dinner...."

Trying to make Nick laugh, Sarah asked, "So how many hamburgers did you eat to feel stuffed?"

A small smirk passed over Nick's lips as he said, "Three. Anyway, she made a wise crack about how much I had had to eat....seems there's a pattern here...when I went to grab her, she took off running around the pool. She got dizzy and fell...hitting her head on the fountain. God, she was unconscious for so long and so pale. When they got her here, they ran a bunch of tests and when she came around, the doctor talked to her about what was going on. She told Bec she wanted to x-ray her and had to ask the standard questions...."

Sarah immediately knew what he meant by the standard questions and interrupted him. "Nick...is Bec...."

"No, well, the doctor is doing blood tests but the physical exam didn't show any signs of her being pregnant."

"Okay. So what exactly is wrong with her...injuries?"

"A bump on the head, her ankle is either broken or sprained, and the doctor said that all of this was most likely brought on by stress."

"Well, Bec has been putting in quite a few long hours lately," said Howie.

"Yeah, too damn many," sneered Nick. "Sarah, Howie...god help me, but I was relieved when the doctor told me that Becca wasn't pregnant. Does that make me a bad person? I mean, here you are, you just lost a baby...a baby that you and Howie both wanted...and I'm GRATEFUL that Becca IS NOT pregnant."

Howie looked at Sarah as tears welled up in his eyes at the memory. She had the same reaction but she said, "No, Nick, it doesn't make you a bad person. Howie and I are not in the same place in our relationship that you two are. You and Bec are still getting to know each other and a baby would NOT have been conducive to your relationship. Not given the fact that she isn't fully comfortable with your fame status and all the press coverage."

Howie said, "Nick, you're both still young and if you're meant to be together, then children will come and it will be a good thing. God, you're getting ready to go on the road for eleven months. How in the name of god would you have time for a baby with your schedule?"

"That's what I was thinking too," said Nick. "God, Becca wouldn't even talk to me before they took her to x-ray. What am I going to do?"

"Don't worry first of all. Be thankful that Bec is okay and that there isn't anything seriously wrong," said Sarah. "Look, I'll stay with her and take care of her since you have rehearsal and everything."

"No, there's no need to do that," said Nick quickly. He had known that Sarah would offer but he didn't want to put the pressure on Sarah of taking care of Becca given that it hadn't been more than a couple months since her miscarriage and she was also still dealing with the bulimia. "I can take care of her."

"Are you sure?" asked Howie. "I mean, it's going to be tough with our schedule."

"I'm not coming to rehearsal, Howie, until I know Becca's okay. I know all the steps," said Nick emphatically. "No...Sarah, I don't want you staying with her. That's my job."

"Then I'll stay tonight," said Sarah.

As she said that, Becca was brought back from x-ray and as she passed by the three, Sarah caught sight of her. She could see the distant look in her best friend's eyes and the fact that Becca wouldn't even look at Nick. She knew Nick was going to have a tough road the next few days with Becca and she didn't envy him in the least.

Howie saw Becca too and looked at Sarah. He whispered, "Why don't you go on and visit with her and give me some time with Nick?"

Sarah nodded her head and gave Nick a kiss on the cheek. "I'm going in with her now, Nicky."

Nick was crying again but he nodded his head in acknowledgement.

As Sarah got up to go, Nick leaned against Howie. She looked at him now and thought how young he was in comparison to Howie. Nick was still very much a kid but yet, Sarah had seen a side of him with Becca that showed he was growing into a wonderful young man. One day, he would make a WONDERFUL father, just not now.

Sarah made her way to the examining room where Becca lay silently. Sarah stood beside her best friend and brushed her hair back. "Hey, girlfriend. Looks like the klutzy side of you turned up again."

Becca looked up at Sarah and smiled. "How do you do it? You always seem to make me laugh no matter how damn upset I am."

"It's a gift. Nick told me what was going on. Bec, why are you shutting him out...again?"

Becca began to cry and Sarah took her in her arms. She held Becca as she cried remaining silent until Becca was ready to talk. It didn't take long before Becca asked in a child-like voice, "Did he tell you we thought I was pregnant?"

"Yeah."

"Sarah, you're going to think I'm a monster."

"Never, Becca!" said Sarah as she brushed the hair back. "Look, forget about me. Tell me how YOU are feeling."

"How can I? You've lost two children."

"So?"

"Sarah...I didn't want a baby....I didn't want NICK'S baby," she sobbed.

"Tell me something, Becca. Do you love Nick?"

"You know I do."

"Okay, WHY didn't you want a baby?"

"It's not a good time in our relationship."

"Very good, Becca. That's a LOGICAL reason so WHY would I think you're a monster?"

"Because you've lost two children," said Becca meekly.

"Look, Nick and I just had this discussion too. Both times when I got pregnant, I was deep into a relationship. Granted, Howie and I were having problems but we were long past the stage that you and Nick are in right now. We were past the 'getting-to-know' you stage. I was also a lot more secure with my relationship with Howie and I'm more comfortable with his fame and the press! You're still not comfortable with all that. Not wanting to bring a baby into that when you aren't comfortable with it is smart. Now, I offered to stay with you and Nick declined. Do I need to INSIST?"

Becca smiled through the tears. "No, Nick's right. You don't need to stay with me. They're getting ready to send me home and I think Nick and I need to talk."

"Are you sure? Howie and I can crash at Nick's and he can ride with Nick to rehearsal tomorrow."

"I'm positive. Sarah, thank you."

"No problem. Just taking care of my best friend. God knows, you've bailed my sorry butt out quite a few times lately!!"

There was a timid knock at the door and then Nick stuck his head in. "Bec, can I come in?" asked Nick hesitantly.

Sarah looked at Becca and said softly, "Don't shut him out, Bec."

Becca squeezed her hand. "Thanks, sis."

"Any time. Please try to get some rest, ok? And call me if you need me. ANY time, day or night, you got that?"

"Got it." Becca smiled a watery smile and watched as Sarah hugged Nick goodbye. "Let me know what we can do, Nick. Please don't try to do this on your own," she whispered. "There's nothing wrong with asking for help, believe me; I've learned the hard way."

"Call Brian for me? I promised I'd let him know what was going on. Tell him-"

"I'll tell him you'll talk to him tomorrow. Now go to her, Nick. It's gonna be ok."

Nick nodded, not sure if his voice would hold out enough to answer her.

Howie was waiting close by. He hugged Nick, too, before gently ushering Sarah out the door. Sarah made it just to the elevator before it all hit her. Shaking, she sank to the padded bench.

"You did it, Angel. You made it."

"D, I was so scared."

"But you did what you had to do and I'm so proud of you." He sat beside her, rubbing her back in hypnotic circles as she began to calm.

"Nick's a good kid, I hope he's all right."

"He's not a kid anymore, D. With what he went through tonight I think he just graduated from being called a 'kid'."

"Yeah, maybe you're right." He smiled, thinking about the changes Nick had gone through over the years. "Scary, Angel, really scary."

"C'mon, take me home."