"Ok, now one more," He said. "Oh, wait a second. Hold that pose," The photographer fiddled with his equipment.

"Kate," Olivia said out of the side of her mouth. "Are you sure this guy is a real photographer? He's messed up his equipment three times now!"

"He's just trying to get the best shot. Now shut up and hold still or we have to do it all over again," Natalia whispered to her. They stood perfectly motionless, waiting for the incompetent photographer to finish.

"There, I think we have it now," The photographer said, jamming the film in.

"Think? He thinks?!" Olivia said in panic.

"Shut up!" Sara told her. They smiled as the photographer took the last shot of the photo shoot.

"Ok, that's a wrap. Thanks for being so patient. See you later!" The photographer waved to them as they left to get changed out of their matching outfits.

"Oh god, I was sweating like a pig under those lights," Kate told them.

"Oh, well, thank you for sharing that with us. I'm sure we all wanted to know how your glands are doing," Natalia said sarcastically.

"I absolutely hate photo shoots, I'm never doing another one again," Liv shook her head as she changed into comfortable clothing.

There came a knock on the door. "Come in," Natalia called.

"Hello girls, are you all set to get back home? I know its been a long day. I have some news for you, but I'll tell you in the van," Donna their manager came in to talk to them.

"Ok, yeah, I think we're ready here. What do you say?" Sara said, glancing around the room looking for anything they might have dropped or left behind.

"Ready. Let's go," Kate picked up her bag and threw it on her shoulder. They left the mini dressing room and walked downstairs to Nine Lives' van.

Once they had settled in the van and were on their way to the apartment, Donna began to tell them the news.

"So, I have big news for you," Donna said, turning around in her seat so she could see the girls.

"You told us that already. Now tell us what the big news is," Natalia said, rolling her eyes.

"Ok, now I know you girls have been bugging me that we have to get more tours and we have to get a bigger following. And I agree with you, we need to expand our horizons. We need to break free of our stereotypical outer image in the states and view newer, fresher ground, " Donna said, nodding her head.

"Yes, and I know this might sound rude, but does this story have a point?" Olivia asked her propping her arm up on the window ledge.

"Yes, it does and if you let me get to it, then we can enjoy it," Donna snapped back.

"Ok, ok. We're listening. What's your big idea, Donna?" Kate asked.

"The plans have already been made, the planes have already been booked, parents have already been called, and so you can't get out of this one," Donna said, smiling.

"OK, we're aware now, we can't back out of a deal. Now tell us, are we going to Canada to record?" Sara asked excitedly.

"Not quite. We're going to Europe to tour," Donna said, smiling widely.

The girls looked at each other in silence. They didn't know what to say to this.

"Are you kidding me?" Kate asked her, on the brink of hysteria. "Europe, London, SHOPPING!" she shrieked.

"I don't know what to say," Sara said.

"Are you serious? We're good enough to play Europe?" Olivia managed to get out.

"What parts of Europe?" Natalia asked her.

"A little of England, some of Italy, mostly Germany though," Donna answered her question.

"Oh, I can't wait to go to England! I have to get some money together so I can shop shop shop!" Kate said, laughing.

"When are we leaving?" Sara asked her.

"August 16th," Donna told them. Olivia dropped her book she was reading. Kate's eyes widened.

"August 16th as is next Wednesday?!" Olivia asked her.

"Yes, you will have to start packing soon. You've got less than a week to get ready," Donna told them.

"I don't want to ask this but, how long are we staying?" Natalia asked.

"Five months, six tops," Donna said, looking at the schedule.

"SIX?! We start school in less than a month!" Sara shrieked.

"I know, and I have discussed it with your parents. A tutor will be available to help you in your schooling," The girls couldn't believe their ears. Six months in Europe? This was too good to be true.

"I have one last bit of information to give you," Donna told them as they were opening the apartment door.

"Just don't tell me that we're opening for someone again. I can't stand opening anymore," Olivia said, throwing her bag in her room and going to the kitchen to make a snack.

"No, don't worry, you don't have to open for anyone. However, you will be doing a joint tour. We don't know who yet. It's still being decided," Donna told them.

"Still being decided? How can you still be deciding who is touring with us when we have to be in Europe in less than a week?" Natalia asked her.

"Well, the first band couldn't do it. They had prior engagements. We are looking for a second band now and I haven't heard from them yet," Donna explained.

"Oh," Kate said, flipping on the TV. "Who was the first band?"

"Scarlet Road," Donna said breezily as Olivia took out a jug of orange juice and proceeded to drop it on the floor.

"WHAT?!" Olivia screeched. "ARE YOU JOKING?"

"No…why?" Donna looked at her like she was crazy.

"Scarlet Road is the band that Jonathan Jackson is in with his family. Olivia loves Jon Jackson to death," Kate explained, picking up the half spilt jug of juice.

"Oh, wow. Sorry, they had other plans. We might be getting a second band though. If we don't then you guys are on your own," She glanced at her watch.

"Oh my god! I'm late. I've got to run, sorry girls. I'll call you later with information. Ciao!" Donna flew out the door with Natalia calling after her.

"But who's the second band?"

"Haha! I won again!" Scott shouted triumphantly as he beat his brother for the third time at Super Mario Brothers.

"Shut up," Clint said, sulking. "It's just luck."

"Yeah right. Just luck he beat you three times at your favorite game," Dave said as he wrote down something in a spiral book.

Clint got up and sat next to his brother and peered over his shoulder. "Hey what are you writing?" he asked him. Dave shut the book quickly.

"It's nothing," He said quickly.

"Aww come on, show us. Is it a song?" Clint asked him.

"I don't know. It might be, soon," Dave said looking back in the book but shutting it whenever his brothers look over his shoulder.

"Whatever, man," Bob said, strumming Scott's guitar. Sheila came in the room, picking up a trail of dirty dishes.

"Boys, your father wants to see you in the kitchen," She told them.

"About what?" Dave asked, putting down his book.

"Are we in trouble for something?" Clint asked.

"No, I don't think so. Why don't you go find out what it's about?" Sheila told them. The boys sluggishly made their way to the kitchen table.

"What do you want Dad?" Scott said, rubbing his eyes.

"I'd like to talk to you about the next tour we are taking," Frank started, pulling up a chair to the table.

"Aww Dad, come on! We just got home last week! We want a vacation," Dave whined.

"Don't worry, this next tour will have enough time for you to take vacations," Frank told the boys. They all looked at each other confusingly.

"Um…I don't understand," Bob said.

"We will be in Europe for the next six months, mostly touring on a joint tour. We've already made the plans, there is no way we can get out of it. I just got off the phone with their manager," Frank said.

"Wait, wait. Who's manager?" Clint asked, still confused.

"Nine Lives'. We are going to be taking another tour with them because of the success of the first one. And because we are so big in Europe already, it's a big help to them for us to assist them in breaking through in other countries," Frank said.

But the boys didn't hear him.

"We're touring with Nine Lives?!" Scott blurted out, excited. Frank nodded his head.

"Oh my god, we're gonna be able to see them again! This is great!" Clint said, smiling widely.

"Ah, I thought you boys would like the idea," Frank said, nodding his head.

"Like it? We love it! It's the single most brilliant thing you've ever thought of!" Scott said. He was acting very excitedly and began to pace around the room.

"I'll have to bring Kate to London, show her around there, and then, oh it'll be perfect I can take her to my favorite place in Germany. And then we can spend some time in Italy and maybe take a tour of France. Oh, the Eiffel Tower, she'd like that," He said, thinking rapidly.

"Scott, Scott, hold on for a second. This trip is not going to be all fun and games. We will be touring for four months out of the six and you all will be tutored by Sheila. We're only going to be spending a little time in England and Italy. Most of it's in Germany. You and Kate will be very busy, don't think you will be able to spend every minute with her," Frank reprimanded.

"Yeah, yeah. Ok dad," Scott waved his father away as he thought to himself what else Kate and him could do.

"Kate, should I bring my tie skirt?" Natalia shouted to Kate from across the hall.

"Yeah, bring it in case I want to borrow it for Scott," Kate shouted back as she packed her bag for the tour.

"Kate, why would you wear it for Scott? You're still dating Shane, aren't you?" Sara asked her, bringing over a pair of shorts to her bag.

"Well, yes, I guess so," Kate said, rather sheepishly.

"Are you going to break up with him before we leave?" Sara asked her.

"No, I want to stay with him," Kate said surprisingly.

"What about Scott?" Olivia said, confused.

"What about him? I'm with Shane. I can't cheat on Shane with Scott. And Scott can't find out about Shane either, ok?" Kate said.

The girls stayed silent as they packed their bags further. "Where did you meet this Shane anyway?" Natalia asked.

"At Jess Spiro's party. He's in a really cool band actually, with his stepbrother. It's pretty cool. He plays guitar, and he is so beautiful. Especially his blue eyes, oh, I could get lost in them forever," Kate said, dreamily.

"Kate, you just described Scott," Sara said. Kate looked at her and shook her head no. Sara shook her head yes.

"Yeah you did Kate. That's so funny," Natalia said, laughing.

"Shut up Natalia, at least I can admit that I listen to Hanson," Kate said bitingly.

"Haha, I listen to Hanson, shove it Kate," Natalia said as she folded her shirts. Kate smirked and put away a tee shirt she wasn't going to bring.

"And what about you Miss Sara. Do you plan on getting back together with Bob?" Olivia asked her.

"Yeah, last time I talked to him, he told me that he wanted to show me his favorite places in England. I can't wait to see him." Sara said happily.

"Well, Clint and I are going to visit some of Milan when we get there. It's really beautiful he tells me." Olivia said contentedly.

"What about you Natalia?" Sara asked her. Natalia just looked at her and shook her head.

"Ok, well, No what?" Olivia asked. Natalia left the room and ran down the hallway.

"What was that about?" Liv asked Kate.

"Well, Natalia told me last week that she hasn't talked to Dave in a month. And the last time she talked to him it was for like five seconds cause he was busy and they haven't really talked at all. She's sent him letters but nothing back. She doesn't think Dave is interested," Kate said, pursing her lips.

"Oh really? Wow. I thought Dave was pretty happy with her last time I saw," Sara said.

"Well, a lot happens in one year. It's easy to lose interest in someone," Kate said. They just stared at her and smiled.

"Are they gonna be here soon?" Clint whined as his three brothers and he waited for Nine Lives' plane to come.

"They're coming soon. Just hold on. Go get something to eat or whatever, ok? You are driving me crazy," Bob told him, putting down his magazine. He got up and looked out the terminal window.

Clint groaned and flopped down in a chair. Dave kept reading his book.

"Somebody go look when the flight is coming in. Please?" Clint whined again. Dave sighed and got up to look at the monitor.

"Hey Clint," Dave began. "Um, they're here now. Their flight has been in for half an hour it says."

"What? What are you talking about?" Clint shouted, bounding out of his chair to look at the monitor.

"Dave you idiot, that's the wrong flight! You are so incredibly stupid!" Clint screamed at his brother. Dave winced and went to go sit back down.

"Fine. Next time you want me to do something, you go do it yourself." Dave said, picking up his book.

"They'll be here in ten minutes," Clint told his brothers. Scott got up and started walking down to the convenience store.

"Hey! Where are you going?" Clint blurted out. Scott turned around and pointed to the store.

"Oh, ok. Get me a drink," Clint told him. Scott nodded and kept walking.

"Oh, god. Are they gonna be here soon?" Clint said again.

"Clint! Chill! Now!" Bob shouted. Clint jumped and stayed quiet until the girls came.

The boys hear the low roar of the plane and Clint jumped out of his seat, but stayed silent. Bob stuffed his magazine in his jacket pocket and Dave put his book in his bag. Clint walked to the terminal window and pressed his face to the glass.

"They're leaving the plane now. They're walking across the lot. They're going up the steps to the door. They should be entering…now," Clint said, nose to glass.

Bob rolled his eyes and looked back for Scott but he was still gone. The four girls entered the airport terminal and looked around for the boys.

"Olivia!" Clint shouted. He ran to the passengers leaving the plane and started looking for Olivia.

"Clint, I'm over here," Liv said with a smile and she opened her arms to hug him. He raced up to her and picked her up.

"I missed you sooo much!" She said, smiling.

"Not as much as I missed you!" Clint said, laughing. He set her back down and kissed her. "I've been waiting to do that for a long time," He told her.

"Well, I'm glad you did," She said, walking with him back to his brothers.

"Liv! Take your goddamn bag! I'm not carrying it for you the whole time!" Natalia shouted. She ran up to Olivia and handed her the bag.

"Hey Bob! How you been?" She asked.

"I've been ok. Where are Sara and Kate?" He asked her.

"They didn't come. They had better things to do. They went to go tour with the Backstreet Boys. You know them and teenyboppers," She said, sarcastically.

"Ahh yes. Those boy bands can be quite enduring," He said. He gave her a hug and looked around for Sara and Kate in the terminal. Natalia laughed and looked around her. She saw Dave and stopped laughing.

"Hi," He said, shyly. His face showed no emotion and he didn't come closer to her.

"Hi," Natalia answered back, barely above a whisper. She stared into the distance and blinked to keep back the tears.

"Kate!" Scott shouted as he ran back from the store. Kate noticed him and smiled at him radiantly. He ran to her and hugged her tightly.

"I missed you so much!" He told her, kissing her face.

"I missed you too." She said back to him, smoothing her hair and picking up her bags. Scott took them from her and carried them over to his brothers. Sara had found Bob and they were busy talking. Clint and Olivia were sitting next to each other, staring in each others eyes while Clint told her about the wonderful places they had been. But Natalia and Dave just stood there, not speaking, not acknowledging each other's presence.

"We should go now, Dad is waiting for us in the van," Scott told the other people. They picked up their things and walked outside to the fresh London air.