"So then Aaron was like 'Um Nick, I think you forgot something in the pool.' Lo and behold there were my swim trunks floating in the water," said Nick taking a bite of his extra cheese pizza.

He had taken Joey to his favorite pizza place, Tony's Pizza Shack. Somehow he knew that she loved pizza. He had always loved the hustle and bustle of the place on a Friday night. Kids were running every which way and waited in line for their turn at the limited assortment of video games that lined the back wall. The best thing was the people there had treated Nick like the teen he was and he liked that.

"No way!" exclaimed Joey her eyes bugging out of her head

"Yeah, it happened. I'm not exactly proud of it but it's me all over," said Nick flashing his million dollar smile "What about you? Got any embarrassing stories?"

As she told her story, Nick watched her intently. He had never met a girl like her. A girl that fit him so completely. The more he found out about her made him seriously think about the possibilities between them.

"Then I had to sit in the lake until someone ran and got me some clothes. Taught me never to go skinny dipping again," she said shyly.

"That's too bad," said Nick shaking his head.

"Excuse me?" asked Joey furiously blushing.

"Oh...um..I didn't mean that. I mean I meant to say it but not out loud. Not that I want to do that with you. I mean it's not like you're not good enough-you so are-God this is coming out all wrong," stated Nick covering his face with his hands. Joey giggled. She leaned over the table, slowly removed his hands from his face and held them in her own.

"Nick, don't worry about it. I understand what you meant and I'm flattered that you respect me so much. You don't need to feel embarrassed."

"Are you kidding? I just told an amazingly beautiful girl that I would like the chance to go skinny dipping with her and I shouldn't be embarrassed!" exclaimed Nick.

"Who is this 'amazingly beautiful girl?' Did I miss that part of the evening?" asked Joey knowing full well that he had meant her.

"Well you must have missed her-she was just here and I wanted you two to meet and everything," stated Nick faking disappointed.

"Oh well that bites."

Nick took out his wallet and threw down twenty dollars. He took a crayon out of the little basket that lay on the table and wrote 'keep the change' on the bill.

"Now to the best arcade ever," said Nick getting up and helping Joey out of the booth and out of the restaurant.

Nick and Joey had a great time at the arcade. The split 4 games-each winning two-of Mortal Kombat. Joey beat Nick at Crusin' World and finally Nick kicked her tail at NBA Jam. Usually Nick would have been extremely upset about losing especially to a girl but with Joe he didn't mind....as much.

All the while they played the continued to talk and get to know one another. Their personalities seemed to instantly click. Nick learned that Joey's parents had gotten a divorce and they had moved to Florida for Joey's school and job. Her mom was a public relations worker. She had transferred to a branch of the company here in Tampa. She only had Joshua as a sibling. Besides being into art, she sang in her church choir and took dance classes. Nick commented on how busy she sounded. She told him that she did have spare time and loved to watch movies and play video games with her brother when she could. She asked about his past and Nick gave her the basics. He talked about his family and friends but never really going into much detail. He wanted to tell her everything but he didn't want her running out the door. He'd tell her...eventually. By the time they walked out of the arcade they were laughing and joking like old friends. All of the awkwardness had disappeared. As they walked to the car, Nick came up behind Joey and tickled her.

"NICKOLAS!" she exclaimed spinning around. She had spun around so quickly that she lost her balance. Nick grabbed her around the waist and held her close, their faces mere inches from each other. Josephine stared straight into Nick's eyes and he did the same. Nick started to tilt his head and lean in for a kiss but before he could , a car honked its horn. 'Thanks a lot, Buddy!' thought Nick as they both separated and moved out of the way. Suddenly Joey started tickling Nick.

"Paybacks suck, huh?"

"Joe, don't come on! Stop," he said through his laughter-he was extremely ticklish.

"Alright. Truce?" she asked sticking out her hand

"You bet," said Nick going to shake her hand as she pulled hers away.

"Too slow, Carter," she stated running away.

"Oh you're going to get it now," said Nick chasing after her towards his car.

Nick and Joey had spent the past two weeks hanging out and becoming better friends. During that time they went out almost every night and Nick felt himself falling hard for her. He was almost positive that she felt the same way. Tonight Nick had a special surprise for her.

"Nick, can I open my eyes?"

"Not yet, Miss impatient!"

"Hello, I'm getting old here. I think I may have grandchildren," said Joey fidgeting with the blindfold.

"Well you look great for a Grandmother," said Nick taking her hands away from the blindfold and holding them in his own "And who is the lucky guy that you married to have the kids that have the grandkids?"

"NICK!"

"OK, I'm sorry-you can open 'em."

When Joey opened her eyes she was standing in front of an immense stone building. She recognized the building as the Tampa Bay Metropolitan Museum of Art. She had mentioned to Nick the first night that they met that she had wanted to check it out.

"It's perfect," she breathed as she threw her arms around Nick's neck "Thank you."

"Come on, let's go in," he said taking the arms from around his neck and holding onto one of Joey's delicate and manicured hands.

The two walked around the museum just staring at the painting and sculptures and enjoying the mere company of one another. Nick would once and awhile glance at Joey. Sometimes her brow would furrow in concentration, other times there would be a sweet smile on her face. Nick loved to make people happy and he was eating this up. He didn't realize how fun looking at paintings could be. He normally would have thought this to be one of the most boring things one person could do but with Joey it was fun. He wondered what went through the minds of the artists when they painted.

"Hey Joe,"

"Yeah, Nicky," she said never taking her attention off the picture.

"What do you think about when you paint?"

She looked at him and saw him staring deep into her emerald eyes.

"Well, It depends on what I'm painting. Usually I want to capture the feeling of the moment. When people look at it, I want them to have an emotional reaction. I want them to feel my painting. When I paint, I concentrate a lot of my effort on translating that onto my canvas."

"Ladies and Gentleman, the museum will close in five minutes. Please head to the main exit and thank you for spending your day with the TBMMA," stated a nasally voice over the PA system.

"Looks like it's time for another surprise," said Nick taking Joey's hand and walking out of the museum.

"Oh my God! Nick, I don't know what to say. It's breathtaking," said Joey softly. She stood on the beach with Nick by her side. From where they were they could see all the lights across the bay. There was a light breeze and all Joey had on was a pair of khaki shorts with a light green tank top so she shivered.

"You cold?" asked Nick.

"Oh no, I'll be fine," she replied but Nick took off his jacket anyway and put it around her shoulders.

"There."

"Thanks. You are really sweet you know that?"

"I try what can I say?"

"You really need to stay that way. Stay your sweet, faithful self."

"What do you mean?"

They both stood in front of the ocean for awhile just listening to the waves lap at the shore, Joey not explaining. "Nick," he turned to face her as she stared out at the endless ocean "Remember when I told you that my life was kind of complicated. Well for some strange reason I feel I can tell you anything. Maybe it's because I told you my life story in the arcade that first night we went out or maybe it's because I feel a connection to you but whatever it is, I feel the need to tell you this-to be honest," she said.

Nick was angry with himself. This girl was about to spill her deepest darkest secret and he didn't even have the guts to tell her was a Backstreet Boy. 'You're protecting her from all the fans and all the craziness,' thought Nick justifying his actions.

"Remember how I told you that my parents got divorced. Well the reason they got divorced...um ya see my dad is a doctor and well doctors have nurses. I don't know why I'm telling you this but my dad had an affair with one of his nurses," she said a single tear slipping down her cheek. She was hugging herself and had sat down in the sand

"I found him. My mom was at work and Josh was at school. I had forgotten my literature paper at home so I just ran in really quick. I was stunned; I really didn't know what to do. I told my mom and she confronted him. She filed for divorce and the judge asked us who we wanted to go with and we chose our mom. Then I got the offer from Natalie, she's the director for the school that I'm going to teach at, and we moved here," she turned to look at Nick, who had sat down beside her, as the tears flowed freely.

"Oh Joey, I'm so sorry," he comforted moving closer and pulling her into a hug. That seemed to do it. Joey sobbed into his shoulder.

"Why Nick? Why did he do it? Didn't he want a family? What did I do? What did I do to push him into her arms?"

Nick pulled her away from his shoulder and wiped the tears from her flushed cheeks with his thumb.

"Joe, you didn't do anything. This problem has nothing to do with you. Sometimes people just grow apart, they fall out of love. In any case, you didn't do something to push your father away," he held her face in his hands and searched her emerald eyes "This isn't your fault."

Joey met his gaze and caressed his cheek lovingly. Nick couldn't stand the tension anymore and he pressed his lips to Joey's. At first she resisted but after the initial shock she returned the kiss fully. Nick felt a spark of electricity flow through their lips. This had to be it. He knew that she felt it because she pulled away with a surprised look on her face.

"I....I can't do this. I'm sorry," she said getting up and walking away from him. Nick sat in the sand confused but got up to follow her.

"What? All we were doing was kissing," he said turning her to face him.

"I don't know what a kiss means to you, Nick, but to me it means something special," she replied hotly.

"It means a lot to me too. Look, I know you felt it, the electricity. You can't hide from that, Josephine. You know this is right. You can feel it deep in your heart just like I do. What is wrong?" he asked confused. Maybe he was wrong about her feelings for him.

"This, Nick. It's too perfect. Ya know we see each other almost every night and we get along so well." "Then what exactly is the problem?" "After my father betrayed my mother I promised I would never let a man hurt me like that. I can't let you in, Nick. I'm sorry but I can't," she said looking away from him.

"You can't let me in? I think it's a little late for that. We've told each other things that no one else knows. We do everything together. You are like my best friend. And now you don't want to be together because you're afraid I'll cheat on you. Joe," he grabbed her by the shoulders and forced her to look at him "I could never ever do that. I respect and care too much about you. I mean it's just not my style to cheat. I could never hurt you, never."

"Nick, I'm sorry. I really care about you too but I can't, not now," she said sadly.

"Fine! Obviously you don't care as much as I do," he said coldly letting her go and starting to walk away.

"That's NOT fair Nick," she yelled after him.

"And what is fair, Joey?" he asked turning back towards her "You leading me on and then dropping me? Is that fair? Or how about you not believing in me enough to know that I would never hurt you?"

Nick breathed heavily with anger and frustration. He was so upset that the woman he cared so much about didn't trust him with her heart. Why wouldn't she understand that all he wanted to do was make her happy?

"Nick, I do! I do trust you. God, I wish you could see that, but I can't make you. It scares me how much I care for you and that's why we can't be together. Nick, I scared," she explained softly. Nick's face softened at the sound of her sorrow.

"And I'm not? I laid my heart on the line to give you that kiss. I'm just as scared as you-maybe more. This is all new to me. You are the first girl in my life that I've cared about in a non sisterly way. Joey, you are the first person that I have ever fallen for and that scares me. The way I see it this is perfect. We are both scared so why not be scared together. I'm willing if you are," said Nick looking hopefully to Joey. She bit her lip and there was an uncertainty in her eyes.

"But what about my parents? Look what happened to them."

"Joe, they had to have some good times. I mean they had you and Josh, didn't they?"

"Yeah they said they loved each other and then my dad cheated."

"And I'm not your dad! I'm Nick Carter-your best friend, your neighbor, the guy who would lay down and die for you. I know it sounds melodramatic but it's true. Joey, give us a chance please," he pleaded. Nick didn't realize it but he had grabbed onto Joey's hands and squeezed them gently. 'God, please make her see,' he thought. His blues eyes looked to Joey's green ones. Her face softened and her bottom lip started to quiver. "Oh, baby, please don't cry. Give me a chance to make you happy."

Joey sighed heavily, trying to keep the tears at bay. Nick was being so incredibly sweet. She looked to the ground afraid to meet his gaze, afraid to admit that he had her heart. Nick placed a finger under her chin and lifted her head to look at him. She looked deep into his eyes, 'He's right. He can't hurt me, he's not my dad,' she thought.

"OK, Nick, I'll give us a shot," she said a small smile forming on her lips.

"Really? You're serious? You've made me the happiest man alive," exclaimed Nick picking up Joey and spinning her around.

"Nick," she said her good mood returning "Nickolas Gene! Put me down!"

"Yes, dear," he said putting her down but not letting her go.

Part 5