"Still not ready to talk sense?" Jane asked.

"Mom-"

"Stop being so stubborn, darling. You of all people should know how worried we are."

Nick snorted impatiently. "I must've heard that phrase a thousand times. I know you're worried. I can handle it. Everyone's just being paranoid, especially him." He jerked his head toward Julian. "How could he-"

" I know he arranged it against your wishes, but he's only doing his job- to see that you're okay performing. Don't accuse of his actions until you've seen what she's like. Knowing Julian, do you think he'd choose an amateur?" when he said nothing, she folded her arms. "Or is it just your male pride? What's wrong with a female security?"

"It's just-" he looked at her helplessly. "I don't know, mom."

"Irregular? Weird? Degrading? I thought you were more open about those kind of things."

"Stop it," he growled, clearly uncomfortable.

"Nick," Jane said, sounding a little exasperated. "It's bad enough we didn't even know about it until the police called here- don't make it worse by refusing the protection until they track this caller down."

Nick sighed. He knew better than to argue with his mother when she was using this tone on him. But.... He glanced at the woman seated near them, his thoughts in turmoil.

Two months. Stuck with this woman 7/24, followed everywhere, no privacy. Damnit, he thought, why me? Of all the people in the world, why him? As soon as he had the question, he knew the answer. Because he was Nick Carter. For that reason, for what he was, he was being haunted in the middle of the nights.

He sighed again. "Yeah, I know. I just-didn't want to worry you and dad, I guess. Or any of you." He turned to Julian, his face too old for his age. "You've all had enough problems anyway."

"Then you'll agree to additional security?" Julian asked.

Rachael saw the cold glance that Nick shot him. Then the glance rested on her, flat and uninviting. Jeez, he sure knows how to make someone feel appreciated, she thought dryly.

"I agree," he said stiffly after a moment. Jane and Julian both relaxed visibly.
Rachael remained motionless.

"But," Nick continued, "with certain conditions."

The first time he talked to her directly, she noted." I don't operate with restrictions." She said crisply.

And I don't operate on stage 100% without some breathing space of my own." He returned tautly. "All I'm asking is that you structure your security procedures around my schedule, if possible."

She studied him, suddenly feeling sorry for this guy. He was being pressured enough without this problem resting on top of all that work. She nodded slowly. "I think we can accommodate to you schedule." She said dryly. "Anything else?"

Nick was slightly taken aback. Usually, securities exploded when he mentioned breathing space. Especially private ones. Maybe this one was different.

"I told all the others," he began hesitantly, "but I'd appreciate it if you kept this confidential. It would be bad for publicity if the word gets out."

A coppery brow shot up. "Wild horse won't drag it out of me, Mr Carter. Your pride's safe with me." She said, a hint of amusement in her voice.

"I don't think so." He muttered, turning to go. He started for the door.

"Well, I'm glad that's settled," Jane said with obvious relief.

"Not quite," Rachael drawled.

Nick stopped with one hand on the doorknob. He turned.

"If I'm going to be responsible for your safety, Mr Carter, I have several conditions of my own."

He looked at her, suddenly apprehensive. "Such as?"

" Such as not protesting my presence where you would be. I'll give you breathing spaces, but within range. I won't be doing my job if I don't."

He was all right with that. "Alright. And?"

"I've been hired to find out who this caller is, not clearing out hysterical fans," she said bluntly. "I'm asking you to keep that in mind."

"Funny," he murmured. "I thought that's what bodyguards were for."

Her eyes narrowed. "No, Mr Carter. That job is for your usual security team."

Well, Nick thought. "Anything else?" he drawled.

She crossed her arms. "If I feel a threat to your safety, you follow my or-directions." she stopped before she said 'order'. "All of them, immediately. Without question." She could feel him wincing with every word. "Think you can handle that?"

Nick bit back a sigh. He wasn't stupid. If she was as good as Julian said, or his mom, and if there was real threat and she know what she was doing, he'd be more then happy to let this professional handle it. Wonder what others would say to that, he mused.

"Done," he said shortly, clearing expressing his reluctance. If she caught the tone, she ignored it. She looked annoyed, in fact.

"Good," she said briskly, getting up. "I'll see you Saturday, then."

"No further negotiations with my manager, Miss Harrison?" he asked, can't helping another jab.

She studied him for a moment. "No." She said finally. "And the name's Rachael."

Nick hesitated, then extended his hand. "I go by Nick."

The handshake was brief and firm. She nodded. "Till Saturday, then." She closed the door behind her with a soft click.