Early the next morning, Fatima knocked on Natalia's room door. Natalia stumbled to the door, still half-asleep. Nick had stayed in her room until finally Travis had knocked on the door and advised Nick he had better get to his room; it was the first night management did a room check.
Natalia pulled it open ready to ream whoever had woken her up a new one but stopped from opening her mouth when she saw Fatima. "Hi Natalia, can I come in?"
"Sure..sorry, I kinda overslept.."
"Not a problem..did you have a rough night?"
"I didn't get much sleep if that's what you mean."
Natalia sat on the bed while Fatima stayed standing, her arms crossed in front of her, "You know you should be fired and sent home today.."
Natalia nodded, biting her lip in her nervousness, "Yea..I understand that....can I at least explain?"
"I've heard her story Natalia."
"But you haven't heard mine."
"That's true..but I've also heard Nick's story.."
"You did?"
"He came to me a little while after the show ended and told me what he heard and saw. He said she pushed you first."
Natalia nodded, "She did...and I know I should have walked away, a part of me wanted to but then the other part of me just wanted to rip her face off.."
"You should have come and told someone that you were having problems.."
She hung her head, "I know..I know I should have...and I'm sorry. And I am actually sorry I hit her..."
Fatima sighed, "It was a hard decision...but neither of you are going home. But, you will both be suspended for the next two shows...ok?"
"Ok...thanks Fatima."
She smiled slightly, "You're welcome...but you should also be thankin' Blondie."
"Nick?"
"Yea...he's very convincing."
"He convinced you to let me stay?"
"Both of you actually. Dave wanted to send you both home...but I know you are both wonderful dancers and people and me and Nick convinced him that you two had had a rough week and things just blew up..."
"Thanks..I mean that.."
"I know you do...so get some rest, ok?"
"Ok..."
That night, Nick came by Natalia's room, he was going to convince her to go to the after-party with him whether she really wanted to or not.
She opened the door, dressed in shorts and a t-shirt. "Hey..where you goin' look that good?"
He smiled, "Hey you...have a good day off?"
"No..what are you doing here?"
"Come to the after-party with me."
"Are you asking or tellin' me?," She asked putting her hands on her hips.
He grinned, "Oh Natalia, will you grace me with your prescence by being my date at our after-party?"
She smiled, "Well, when you put it that way..no."
"Nat!"
"Nick..everyone hates me for beating the shit out of Michelle..I don't want everyone to sit there and glare at me!"
"No one will give a shit.."
She sighed, "Well..I don't have anything else to do.."
"So, you'll come?"
"Yes..go sit on the bed while I find somethig to wear.."
He smiled, "Yes! This'll be so much fun."
"Yea, it better be buddy."
He sat on the bed while she brought out one of her bags, "Dress or pants?"
"Ummm...pants?"
"Or skirt?"
"I don't know..you're gonna be the one wearin' it."
"True..but come on, I need your help."
"Natalia, you're talkin' to the guy that rolls out of bed in what he has on...AJ is the wardrobe man."
"Maybe he should be my date then."
"HA! Very funny...okay, I'll try to help. As long as you don't sing Britney Spear's anymore at the clubs."
"Awww..why not? Does Nicky not like Britney?"
Nick rolled his eyes, "Don't get me started.."
"Well, I think I lip-synch a hell of a lot better than her.."
He smiled, pulling her over to him, "I also think you're hips are in a lot better shape.."
"Oh do you?"
"Yep..and your tattoos and peircing? Veeerry sexy."
She grinned, "I think you're just tryin' to flatter me Carter."
"yea? Well, is it working?"
She leaned down, kissing him quickly, "Ummm..yea, why not."
He smiled, "Ok..so hurry!"
"Ok, impatient, much?"
"Yes!"
"Okay!"
She picked out an outfit and dashed into the bathroom to change. She came out, "Ok, this better be okay because you have given me like NO notice to be lookin' good.."
"You look fine..come on."
"Nick!"
He smiled, looking at her fully now, "You look great Nat..ready now?"
"Yes..I guess so..if I have to be."
Natalia followed Nick through the crowd and to the table where the guys (and their respective dates) were sitting. AJ grinned when he spotted Natalia and began to clap, which Howie and Brian soon joined in. Kevin just laughed while Natalia's eyes widened and she blushed furiously. Nick sat down, with Natalia following. "Thanks guy..I think.," She said.
"Not a problem..gotta respect a girl who has a stronger right hook than me..," AJ said.
"Thanks AJ..appreciate it.."
"You're welcome."
"Oh yeah, Nat, that's LeighAnne and Kristen, you didn't get to meet them yesterday on account of you know what."
"Yea, I know what happened. It's very nice to meet you all, I've heard nothing but great things about you all."
LeighAnne and Kristen exchanged a glance, they liked the girl already.
Natalia was fidgeting; she couldn't sit still. Nick was actually refusing to dance. "Dude..why'd you bring me here if you're not gonna dance?"
"I just don't want to right now.."
"Can I?"
"Nat, I'm not your keeper, am I?"
"No..I just..didn't wanna make you mad or anything?"
He kissed her hand that he had been holding and pushed her out of the seat, "Go on. Pull any more Britney moves and we're gonna have to talk later.."
She grinned, "No hip movin'?"
"Yea..you can move the hips..and show off those tats baby."
She laughed, "You have to promise me ONE dance."
"Alright..I'll come out when I'm good and ready."
An hour later, Natalia was dancing with AJ. His hands were on her hips, but he seemed to know not to go any lower or he'd hear an earful from Nick. "You know..Nick likes you alot...," He said in her ear.
She nodded, "I like him alot too.."
He smiled, "I figured as much.."
"Oh, did you?"
"Yep..I'm smart like that."
She laughed, "Apparently."
"I just..none of us want to see him get hurt..you know?"
"I know AJ.."
"And I know you won't do that.."
"I won't AJ.."
"I've had to hear all about how good you kiss too."
She laughed, "He told you?!"
"Yep..spilled it to me the other night.."
"Umm..wow.."
"Don't get all shy now girl.."
"I'm not..you mean, he talks about me?"
"Yea...I don't think he can STOP talking about you...he cares alot about you.."
She smiled, "He's a very sweet guy..and I think that it is better that we, you know, started out as friends and stuff..."
"It is. You two should just be careful..."
"Why?"
"The media has a way of eating people alive. And you work for us. I'm not saying I don't want you two to get together or whatever...you two are cute together..and the flirting is hilarious...but, if the media gets one whiff that Nick Carter is dating one of the dancers...well..you can only guess what kind of stuff will be said..and they'll dig into your background and your family and stuff.."
Natalia froze, "My family?"
"Yea...I'm not tellin' you to scare you..I'm really not.."
"No..no..it's okay..I'm glad you're tellin' me..it brings everything into a whole new perspective..I guess."
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