Chapter Three

Nick sighed for the hundredth time that night. He hadn't slept more than an hour before waking up. So many things were running through his mind…

Giving up on this thing called sleep, he attempted to roll out of bed only to be held down by his girlfriend. Even in her slumber she could tell he was leaving and she wasn't happy about it. Nick smiled sadly and kissed her forehead.

Slipping on some clothes, he walked out of their room and head for the hospital. He glanced at his watch. It was 3:30 in the morning.

***

Julia's eyes popped open. She reached her arm out, only to remember Alex wasn't there. She sighed and sat up. She glanced at the clock, 6 am. She stood, and went to shower. When she finished, she dressed, and went to the kitchen. She ordered room service. She was told it would be brought up before 7:15.

***

Aaron wandered out of his room at about 7:30. He didn't really want to get up, but remembering why he was away in the first place made him want to get a move on. He stopped in his tracks, spotting Julia on the couch with loads of breakfast food surrounding her.

"Morning," she said as she sipped her hot chocolate still looking at the TV.

He stared at her, "Morning."

"I ordered breakfast. You should probably eat some," Julia stated matter-of-factly. It was true. He should eat.

Aaron's gaze switched to the food. He looked at her again and blinked, "No."

"What do you mean, no? What are you going to do? Not eat the whole time you're here?" she asked her head snapping in Aaron’s direction. She was shocked.

"I don't want it," he glared, "Nick will get me something at the hospital if I ask him to."

"Fine," she slammed her mug down on the coffee table, "Be ready to leave for the hospital in fifteen minutes. Because if you're not I will leave you." Julia stormed into the bedroom.

Fifteen minutes passed, and she walked out of her room. "Aaron, I'm leaving,” she called as she sat and put on her shoes.

Aaron appeared before her fully showered, dressed, and groomed, "Funny… so am I."

***

Sadie stirred and slowly opened her eyes. She'd expected to see Nick there and was surprised when he wasn't. Where would he have gone so early?

‘The hospital,’ she thought as she sat and picked up the phone, dialing his cell number.

She heard his phone ring from his pants still lying on the floor. She shook her head, dressing quickly and brushing her teeth. Running down to the lobby, she waited for a taxi.

One pulled up and she hopped in, telling the driver where to go. Upon arriving, she walked in and went towards BJ's room. She saw Nick sitting in a nearby chair and went over to him.

Sadie let out a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding, "Nicky… You had me so worried. Don't do that!" She knelt in front of him and wrapped her arms around him.

Nick was knocked out of his gaze as someone’s arms wrapped around him. He jumped, realizing whose arms they were. He embraced her though rather stiffly, "Uh… yeah… Hi…"

She pulled away whispering, "Are you still mad at me?"

Nick sighed, "I was never mad at you, Sadie… I'm just… disappointed… and a little heartbroken." He didn't want to get into it at the moment, "Let's not go into it now… Please?"

Sadie nodded and kissed his forehead. "I love you," she reassured him, not expecting and answer.

And he didn't give one, looking away. "So… What’re you doing here?"

"You weren't at the hotel, so I came here looking for you. I thought you wanted me here," she suddenly felt a little awkward.

His head snapped up to look at her. "That's not what I meant. I didn't mean that I didn't want you here, Sadie…" he shook his head, "I didn't. I do want you here… I do, I really do…" He couldn't stop himself from rambling. It meant something to him that she showed up. If she left now, it'd be another thing to add to the ‘Things That Upset Nicky’ list.

"Okay then," she moved to the vacant seat next to him, "What’s the news?"

"I don't know… She made it through the night… I've been in to see her… but she's so tired and only stays awake for small periods of time." He turned his face away from her. "I didn't know that she's gonna be arrested when she's released," he paused, "No one told me that…"

"Oh… wow… what… what are your parents going to do? Is there anything they can do?" she asked, linking her fingers with his.

Nick gave into temptation, leaning into his girlfriend. He placed his head on her shoulder. He was starting to make a habit of this. "I don't know, Sadie…" his voice was small, "I have no idea… None of the cops will talk to me until they get a statement from Beej… And I will not let them talk to her in this condition…" He gave her hand a squeeze and closed his eyes.

Sadie kissed the top of his head and sighed, wishing there was something she could do to make this easier.

Nick looked up in surprise as he heard other voices. He'd been expecting his parents to come soon after he had, but was only mildly surprised when they didn't show up. He huffed and closed his eyes again as he saw Aaron and Julia approaching.

Julia sighed and sat on a chair across from Nick, not wanting to interfere.

He sensed she was there without needing to look for her. Without moving, he smiled and whispered, "Hey Jules…"

"Hey Nickers, how you feeling today?" Julia responded softly.

His face fell, "Well… my sister's in the hospital, we don't know if she'll ever fully recover, the cops want her in jail, I had a horribly emotional night, I didn't sleep a wink, I left without telling anyone, I'm causing everyone around me pain, and my little brother is being a stubborn shit. How would you feel?"

Julia just stood and walked away. After the morning she had at the hotel, she didn't need that. ‘Should of stayed home…’ she thought, regretting that she even come to California.

Sadie just looked back and forth from Nick to Aaron and sighed. She didn't know what to say, so an eerie silence filled the area.

Aaron stared at his older brother, "I'm being a stubborn shit?"

Nick rolled his head farther into Sadie's neck, "Don't worry about it, AC… You're only following your big brother's example."

Julia walked back into the waiting room with a bottle of water, "Is anyone in the room with BJ?"

Nick shook his head, "No… she's asleep. She started to get worked up… So they gave her a tranquillizer. She won't be up for a few hours yet… She was throwing her stuff around the room at people she said were there to get her…" he paused, "There was no one in the room with her besides me…"

Julia sighed, it was getting worse. "Would it bother you too much, if I went in and sat with her while she slept?" she asked.

Nick's tired eyes lifted to her face, "I would be grateful if you did… I… can't right now. I'm sorry, Jules… You really didn't deserve that. I don't know what's been going on with me the last twenty-four hours… I'm sorry, Julia."

Julia nodded, "Don't worry about it."

She walked into the room, shutting the door softly before sitting in the chair by the bed. She took BJ's hand into hers and sighed as she felt the tears reaching her eyes.

"Hey, Beej," she whispered. She listened to the steady beep of the machine that showed her heartbeat and heard every breath she took. She sat watched her.

***

After Julia disappeared into the room, Sadie squeezed Nick's hand lightly. "Do you need anything?" she asked softly.

"You," he whispered. "I love you…" he smiled lightly, "and I need coffee, but I can get that myself…"

She smiled back. "I love you too. Want me to go with you to get the coffee?" she offered.

He nodded and waited until she pulled him up to stand. He noted Aaron already drifting off in a chair, "I don't think he got much shut eye either…"

Sadie just shook her head as she took his hand in hers and started their walk.

Nick was a little shaky on his feet, trying to stay awake. He wanted to be there when his little sister woke up. He wasn't sure what they were going to do about the police thing. That was very complicated and very delicate.

Sadie kept an eye on him, "You sure you don't want to stay there and I'll just get the coffee for you?"

"No…" he breathed, "If I sit down, I'll fall asleep…" He sighed before asking, "Sadie? What would you think if I asked BJ to come live with us for a while?"

Sadie looked at him for only a second, "If that's what you think she needs, then I think it's a good idea."

He stopped, looking kind of shocked. "Really? You wouldn't mind?"

"No… She's your sister, Nick. Part of the family…" she hesitated, "Our family. Why would I mind?" Sadie wasn't sure if she should have said that last part, not knowing how he would take it. But BJ was… BJ was part of what would be their family when they got married.

Nick stared at her before catching himself and whipping his head around, "Okay… good. At least now I know…" And he continued walking, not noticing he was no longer holding Sadie's hand.

Sadie followed him, a step behind. ‘I can never say the right thing…’ she sighed as they reached the cafeteria for his coffee.

Nick turned around and forcefully threw Sadie up against the wall. Without giving her a chance to respond to his actions, he pressed his lips up against hers. He hoped that all that he was feeling… all his love, compassion, pain, confusion and even some understanding… came out in that kiss. By the time he pulled away, he had tears in his eyes and his chest was heaving.

Sadie looked at him, still in shock by the force of being thrusted into the wall and of the intensity of that kiss. She simply wrapped her arms around him and held him, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I love you, Nicky. I just… I don't know how to help make it better," she whispered in his ear.

"Just be here…" he begged, "Just be here to do this… Tell me it's gonna be okay… That we're all gonna be alright… I don't wanna fight anymore, Sadie… I need you right now."

"I'm here, I'm not going anywhere," she assured him. "Look at me," Sadie lifted his head from her shoulder to look in his eyes, "I'm not going anywhere. Ever. Everything… Everyone will be all right."

He whimpered, "Promise?"

"I promise," she said, looking into his tired blue eyes.

"Sadie?"

"Yeah, Baby…”

"If I wanted to forget about the coffee, go to the lobby, and sleep, would you wake me up a little bit before Beej's supposed to?" he asked hopefully. He hadn't known he was that tired.

"Of course," she whispered, taking his hands in hers, "I love you." She felt the need to reassure him that she did love him.

Nick smiled brightly, "I love you too…" They walked back into the lobby and Nick was upset to not see his parents there yet, but Aaron was still sound asleep in his chair and Julia obviously must have still been in the room. He looked around for a place to get comfortable. He grunted in frustration, not finding any.

Sadie saw seats with no arms. She did a little rearranging of the chairs to set up somewhat of a bed. She sat on the end and patted her lap as a pillow, showing that he now had room to lie down.

Nick grinned in relief and slowly laid down, placing his head on her legs. "Good night, Nicky…" he told himself quietly.

Sadie smiled and gently ran her fingers through his hair as her head fell back to the back of her chair.

***

Sadie looked at the clock and according to what the nurse had said, BJ would be waking up in about a half hour. She wanted to wake Nick up, she just didn't know what kind of mood he'd be in. Sighing, she leaned over to whisper in his ear, "Nicky, Baby, time to wake up…"

Nick opened his eyes to see his girlfriend's staring back at him. He rolled over as much he could and mumbled, "No…"

She smiled and him. "Nicky…" she whispered again, "BJ's gonna be up in half an hour…" She kissed his ear.

Nick moaned a little, pressing his head up into her lips, "Beej… When's she gonna be up?" His voice was groggy.

"In about thirty minutes the meds will wear off," Sadie said against him.

"Okay," he yawned, cuddling into her body, "Thanks for waking me. Now I need that coffee."

"Get up and we'll go get ya some," Sadie said with a sigh, glad he seemed to be in a better mood.

Nick nodded and slowly sat up, "Let's go…" He made no move to stand. "Yeah," he pointed, "Going now…"

Sadie smiled and stood and stretched. She crouched down by Aaron, "AC… Aaron… Beej's gonna be up soon…" She shook him lightly in his chair.

Aaron’s eyes fluttered open and he grinned at her, "Okay… Where's Nick?"

Sadie pointed behind her where Nick was still sitting, "We're going to go to the cafeteria for coffee, want some?"

He looked at her like she was insane, "Uh… no. Could I get some juice instead?" His tummy rumbled and he suddenly regretted not taking the food Julia had offered, "Actually… You think I could get some breakfast?"

"You didn't eat at the hotel?" she asked dumbfounded. She would have thought they would have ordered room service.

"Umm… no…" he told her. At least he wasn't lying.

She shook the thoughts from her head, "Yeah, come with then…"

Sadie turned to help Nick stand. She took his hands in hers, "Ready?"

Nick chuckled, "If I can stand, then yes, I'm ready." He got to his feet and stretched a little too hard as he got light headed. He grabbed Sadie's shoulder to steady himself, "Oops… Sadie? Promise me that when we get back to the hotel, I can sleep and then sleep some more…"

"You have my word," she laughed with a smile, "Lets go so we can be back when she wakes up.”

"Yeah…" he took Sadie's hand and motioned for Aaron to follow, "We'll get you something to eat too, Buddy… You could have said something earlier, you know?"

"Nah," Aaron responded, "It's okay… I was asleep the whole time you were."

"And you both snore!" Sadie joked with a chuckle.

Both brothers glared at her. Nick pulled his best puppy eyes and pouted, "I don't snore… I drool, but I don't snore…"

"Nicky, you snore, you drool, and you whine…" Sadie announced with a smile and a wink.

"I do NOT whine!" he protested.

She giggled and looked at him. He was whining.

He caught what she was laughing about and rolled his eyes, "Okay… so I do. But not all the time... and sometimes… You like it when I whine."

She blushed. "Sometimes…" she agreed as they walked into the cafeteria, "Aaron, what do you want to eat, Sweetie?"

"I'll get it…" he told her, turning to Nick, "Nick, can I get whatever I want?"

Nick looked down at him. "Sure, Bud… Knock yourself out," he responded, pulling out his wallet and giving him a ten.

Sadie got their coffee and handed him his as they went to pay for it.

Nick paid for there things and went to find a table. They saw Aaron still in line, "That boy is hungry." He looked at the food Aaron was carrying.

Sadie chuckled, sipping her coffee. "You said anything…"

"And I meant it," he shrugged, "I don't care, but I wonder why he didn't say anything before. AC never hesitates to ask me for anything.”

"And you never hesitate to give it to him," she said with a sigh. She almost regretted saying it, but it was the truth.

Nick smiled, "Nope… He gets anything he wants from me. I don't mind. I like being able to give it to him. It's not like I don't have the means to. I support my whole family financially, Sadie… You know that. Even my parents."

"I know and it shows how much you care. It's sweet," she said as Aaron sat down, "Eat much?"

"Not today," Aaron grinned, "Thanks Nick."

Nick nodded, "Sure thing…" He put the change in his pocket, "So… eat up. I wanna be back there soon." He slipped his coffee and made a face, "This is very hot…"

Sadie read the side of the cup aloud, "CAUTION: HOT…" then nodded.

Aaron laughed as Nick glared jokingly at her, "Thank you, oh powerful Sadie Pierce…" He sighed lightly and smiled as he though of how nice it'd be to call her ‘Sadie Carter.’ Oh well, now was not the time to think about that, "We got about fifteen minutes before we gotta be back, right?"

"Just about," she confirmed with a glance to her watch.

"Okay…"

Sadie watched Nick, she reached out and took his hand again. "You okay?" she asked quietly.

"Yeah, I'm good," he responded, giving her a grin.

"Good," she smiled before mouthing ‘Olive Juice.’

He smiled and blushed a bit, ‘Elephant shoes.’

Aaron rolled his eyes, "You two make me sick… It was bad enough having to listen to you guys do it last night!"

Sadie's mouthed dropped and her face flushed as her eyes looked downward.

Nick's eyes went wide. Sure, he knew there was a chance Aaron had heard them, but for him to bring it to attention… "Aaron!" he cried, "That's… that's… personal!"

Aaron giggled, "You guys sounded like you were having a lot of fun…"

Sadie sighed and smiled, "That we did." She looked up at Nick and winked.

Nick chuckled, glad that Sadie wasn't upset. She got a little uptight about sex sometimes, "Hell yes, we did… You guys ready to head back?"

Sadie nodded.

"Okay… Let's get a move on." He stood up and let them walk ahead. Then started behind them.

Sadie let Nick catch up and linked her hand with his. She let the silence linger as they walked and sighed softly. ‘Why can't I just say yes?’

Nick led them back and kissing Sadie on the head, he asked them, "Is it alright if I go in there first, Guys? Jules is still in there…"

Sadie nodded simply.

He sighed and moved into the room. He was totally unprepared for what he saw. BJ was already up and crying as the nurse struggled to give her some meds through a needle. Julia was trying to calm her down, but no one knew how bad BJ's fear of needles actually was. Obviously, she hadn’t been using injection to get her hit for her addiction.

"Nick, help," Julia whispered.

Nick immediately stepped up to the nurse and pushed her away. "Stop," he commanded, "She doesn't like needles and by forcing it, you're only making her more upset."

He turned to his sister, "Beej… it's gonna be okay… It's not gonna hurt, they're only trying to help you. Look away…"

"Nick! They're gonna poke me with the… with the…" she cried.

"Honey, I know… and it's okay. Nicky's here now and it's gonna be okay…" He turned her head and motioned for the nurse to do the injection, "Just look away and hold my hand." Nick smiled when it was over, "There… it's done."

BJ gave a little grin and pulled Nick down into a hug. Nick just held the girl and kissed her head, "It's okay now, Sweetheart."

Julia was practically in tears, "Thanks."

"You two, leave please while I check her vitals," the nurse said with an attitude. She could have done it.

Julia nodded, "Yeah."

Nick shook his head still hugging BJ, "No… I won't. I'm staying here. I don't like how you're treating her." He soothed his sister's hair, "You can't make me leave…"

"Yes, I can. Sir, it will only take a minute. I really can't have you in here. She can stay, you're male. You have to leave for a minute," the nurse announced.

"I'm her brother!" he yelled at her.

"I don't care, hospital policy," the nurse responded.

"Nick, come on. I'll stay and I'll make sure she's okay, then you can come in. All right?" Julia offered.

He grit his teeth, "Fine. But if my sister is hurt in any way, I will… I will…" He felt Julia pulling on his arm.

"Nick, go. I promise I won't let anything happen," Julia led him to the door.

"BJ, I'll be right back!" he cried out, "I'm right outside, Baby…"

Julia sighed and shut the door, waiting for the nurse to do what she had to do.

"Men," the nurse muttered and Julia rolled her eyes.

"Just hurry, okay?" Julia shot at her.

"Fine, fine," the nurse said as she finished what she had to do and left the room.

***

Nick had told Sadie what had happened and was now leaning on his elbows on his knees in a chair, waiting for Julia to give him the okay. Sadie was rubbing the small of his back lightly.

***

Julia brushed BJ's hair out of her face and smiled at her, "You okay now?"

She nodded, "Yeah… but do you think I can get a different nurse?"

"I'll make sure of it, okay? You want Nick to come in now?" she asked softly, with a reassuring smile.

"Yes…" she whispered, "Could you get him… please?"

"Of course," she kissed her forehead, "I'm gonna let him in and grab some coffee, then I'll be back, okay?"

"Uh huh…"

"Okay, I love you, Sweetie," Julia said as she reached the door.

"You too…"

Julia opened the door and stood outside. "Go on in, Nick," she whispered and sighed.

Nick looked up at Julia's face and jumped up. He needed to be with his sister. Glancing at his brother and girlfriend, he smiled. Sadie nodded, but when looking at Aaron, he saw the look of hatred he was shooting at Julia. Nick made a mental note to call AJ.

Julia stepped away from the door and felt out of place. She sighed as she walked away from the door and went to the cafeteria for some coffee.

Nick walked into the small hospital room, making his way to the bed. "Hey there…" he spoke softly, "You okay, Honey?"

She nodded with a weak smile, "Better… Julia promised to get me a new nurse."

He grinned, "Good… I didn't like her much. And if you have any other problems, I'm here. You can come to me, you know that right?"

She nodded. "I'm sorry, Nick. About the car, about hurting myself, about not coming to you, about the things I said the other day, and I'm just… I'm sorry," BJ said as she started to cry. She looked away from her big brother.

Nick's face broke, "It's okay, Baby… It's all gonna be okay. None of that's important right now. What's important is that you're alive. I don't know what I'd do if you wouldn't have made it, Beej…" He leaned down, placing his lips to her forehead, "I love you, Sweetheart… It's okay now."

She closed her eyes as he kissed her, "Promise you don't hate me. I know Mom and Dad do, but I'm sure I'll get over that. But if you hated me, I don’t know what I would do.”

He took her head in his hands, "BJ, I do not hate you. And Mom and Dad don't either…"

"Yes, they do. Don't try to sugar coat it for me, Nick. I've ruined their image of me as their perfect daughter. Come on. Leslie's too big to be a pop star and Angel has no interest. I was their only link to the male audience in the entertainment industry and I screwed up my chance. They hate me for that!”

"No! BJ, no one is expecting anything from you. No one's perfect… and you have screwed nothing up…" he sighed, hating that she needed to go through this. For the time being, he hated his parents. Actually… he's always hated his parents. And where the hell were they?

"Then where are they? If they don’t hate me… why aren't they here yet?" she asked of him, knowing full well he didn't know.

"I…" he looked away, "I don't know… I just don't know, Beej."

"That's my point, Nick," BJ said softly.

He just shook his head and petted his sister's hair. "Fuck them," he whispered, "Fuck them to hell."

She smiled sincerely for the first time in awhile, "Yeah, fuck them."

Nick snickered and held her close, "BJ… I have some things to ask you…"

BJ looked up at him, "What's up?"

"Umm…" he started, "BJ… What were you on? And tell me the truth, there's no use in lying… What were you using?"

She sighed and looked out the window. "Angel Dust," she whispered after a few minutes.

Nick closed his eyes as the pain settled in, "Why?"

She shrugged, "I liked the way it made me feel. Like… nothing could stop me. Like I could do whatever I wanted. It was such a release. I fell in love with it." She was afraid to look at Nick, knowing he was upset with her.

"Oh Beej…" he sighed, "You can't fall in love with drugs. If you were having problems, you could have told me! I would have been there…"

"You were too busy for lil old me. I know that, Nick. Please don’t tell me I'm wrong. I know, okay? I didn't want to turn to someone. I wanted to do it myself and I screwed up! I screwed up and I'm sorry!" she cried loudly as tears rolled down her cheeks, "I didn't want help."

"BJ," Nick started crying, "I'm AM going to tell you you're wrong, because you are wrong! I'll always have time for you… Always, Baby Girl, always… You're so important to me… So important. I don't care where I am, what I'm doing, how I'm feeling… You call and I'll be there! Do you understand me? There's always help!"

"Nick," she started looking at him, "I'm twenty-two, I cant keep running to people with my problems. I need to start handling them on my own. I just… fucked up big time."

"I don't care how old you are… I'm twenty-four and I need Sadie… You get that? I need her. It's not only that I want her there, I need her there. It's okay to need people and I'm just saying that if you need someone, I'll be there." Nick hugged her, "And you're right… you did fuck up."

"And I'm sorry. If I could take it back, I would. But I can't… and I need to deal…" BJ whispered, looking back out the window.

"Okay…" he nodded, "BJ… when you get outta here. What do you say to coming to stay with me and Sadie for a while?"

BJ turned her head quickly and looked at Nick like he was crazy. "Are you joking?" she asked softly.

Nick's eyes widened, "N-no…" He couldn't read her reaction.

"You're serious?" Beej asked with a crinkled brow.

"I…" Nick gulped and lowered his head. He whispered, "Yes…"

"You have no idea what that means to me. I would love to. I need to," she whispered.

Nick smiled and breathed a sigh of relief, "I thought you were mad at me…"

"Never," she reassured and yawned.

He gave her arm a pat and made to get up, "You want me to leave you to get some sleep? We can talk about everything else later…"

"I don't really want you to leave… but I am going to fall asleep," she whispered. "Is Aaron here?" BJ asked hopefully.

"Yeah… couldn't keep him away if you tried, you know that," Nick teased.

BJ smiled, "Can you have him come in and sit with me? At least I know he doesn't hate me. I hope…"

"He doesn't hate you," Nick insisted, "And yes… I'll get him." He gave her a squeeze and went to leave the room.

"I love you, Nicky," she called to him, "and thank you."

Nick stopped and gave her a grin, "I love you too and you're welcome." He walked out the door, finding Sadie and Aaron playing cards. Julia was nowhere in sight. "AC… go see your sister…" he told him.

Aaron got up and rolled his eyes, but smiled and walked to BJ's room.

Nick took his brother's spot on the floor.

"How is she?" Sadie asked quietly.

"Better… I think she feels better now that she knows she's coming home with us…" he took a breath and glanced at Sadie, "That's still okay, isn't it?"

"Of course…" her smile fell, "Where are your parents?"

Nick's face formed frown. "I don't know…" he looked away, "I hate them… I don't know where they are and they have no excuse for not being here. I hate them. And as I told Beej… Fuck them to hell."

"What's up with AC?" she asked softly, "He seems so bitter towards Julia."

Nick raised his eyebrows, "He's just upset… He doesn't really know the whole story with me and Jules so he just takes my side. It's that whole, ‘My Brother Nick Can Do No Wrong’ bit he's got going on… He's got me on a pedestal."

"Well, you're his only big brother and obviously you’re the better father figure in his life. Of course he'll put you on a pedestal," Sadie said with a shrug.

"Yeah… But God, it makes me sick to think about that. That he looks to me for guidance before his own father… and even with mom things. I mean… I'm dumb as shit! I have no wisdom!" he laughed, "And he seems to think that I know more than them? Jesus…"

She smiled and sighed with a yawn. "Plus you're taller than him so he has to look up to you…" she joked.

Nick rolled his eyes, reaching to pick her up onto his lap. He gave her a lingering kiss, "Come here you… I love you…"

"Mmm…" she moaned after the kiss and licked her lips, "You always taste so good… I love you too."

Nick cocked his head, "I taste good? What do I taste like? Skin, I suppose…"

"You taste… sweet. You must have had a lot of sugar in your coffee," Sadie smiled.

"You know me…" he sighed and hugged her, "I have to make a phone call… and maybe try to find my parents."

"Okay," she got off his lap.

He pulled her back down, "Hey now! Did I say you could leave?"

She smiled, "Not exactly." She wrapped her arms around him and nuzzled her face in his neck.

Nick whimpered a bit, "Oh Baby… a hospital is not exactly the place to get into this…"

"I'm not getting into anything," she sighed, her breath hot on his neck, "I should probably let you make your calls."

"Oh… no, that's okay…" he closed his eyes, holding her tightly, "This isn't fair, you know…"

"What's not fair, Baby?"

He chuckled and looked into her eyes, "Nothing… I just want you. As always, right?" He lightly pushed her off his legs, "Okay… I'm gonna go now…"

"I love you," she said, crossing her legs and looking up at him.

"I love you too," he spoke quietly, "Sometimes, I think I may love you too much…"

"Sometimes… never mind, we'll talk about this later… go make your calls," she said and smiled at him.

Nick took out his cell and dialed the simple number. It rang three times before Nick began to give up hope.

Sadie watched him intently.

AJ flipped open his cell phone as he walked out of the baby's room. He'd just put her down for her nap. The baby monitor was hooked on his jeans, "Hello?"

"Alex?" Nick responded tiredly, "Hey, what's up?"

"Not a lot… How you doing? You've got us all pretty worried over here," AJ asked surprised, worried, and relieved that Nick had called.

"Oh…" Nick winced, "I'm doing okay, I guess… I just called to check in and ask you a question."

"Ask away," AJ said, plopping down on the leather couch in his living room.

"How would you feel about coming down to join us here?" he asked, "You can bring Rory, of course… I just think Julia needs someone right now and I feel really bad that I can't be there for her every second."

"You sure you want me to? I don't want to get in the way and I know how your parents feel towards me," AJ said with a sigh and a bit of hope.

"Right now, Alex, I could give a fuck less what my parents care. She needs you here… We need you here."

AJ thought this was kind of weird, but didn’t say anything about it. "Okay, I’ll be on the next flight out there."

"Thank you," Nick spoke softly, "Thank you…" He ended the call and started another. Hearing the hotel pick up, he responded, "Yes… Could you transfer me to the Flintstone suit?" His parents always used that name.

"I'm sorry, Sir, but they checked out hours ago…"

Nick's eyes darkened and he grit his teeth, "Did they leave a message?"

"No sir… Would you like me to…"

Nick let out a scream and threw his phone to the ground, "DAMN IT!"

Sadie jumped and looked at him in shock.

Nick stood there, grabbing his head in his hands.

Sadie stood and went over to him. She took his hands from his head and placed them around her. Taking his head, she placed it on her shoulder, holding him close. She knew what was going on. She wasn't that blind.

Nick's shoulders started to shake, "I'm not that strong, Sadie… I'm not this strong! I can't do this by myself!"

"You're not by yourself, Nicky… Okay? You're not alone," Sadie assured, running her hands through his hair, "You're not alone. You can handle this. I know you can."

"I don't want to handle it… I want them here… They're obligated to be here!" he held her tight, "They're her parents!"

Sadie sighed, not really knowing what to say.

"Are they, Nick?" Julia asked from the doorway, "Have they ever acted like her parents?"

Nick held his grasp on Sadie, but looked up. "No…" he shook his head, "They haven't…"

"Then they shouldn't have the privilege of calling themselves her parents. So don't give it to them," she said simply and sat in the chair.

Nick looked at her, "But if they're not being raised by them, then who? Leslie just turned eighteen! Aaron and Angel are sixteen, for Christ's sake… They're not done yet… BJ… BJ is just… Look at BJ!" he motioned to the room.

"I know, why do you think she's in there? Your parents suck as parents, Nick. That," Julia pointed to BJ's room, "happened to her because her ‘parents’ couldn't even tell when something was wrong. It didn't happen to you because you had the guys to turn to, it won't happen to Aaron because Aaron has you to turn to. But the girls, it's the girls I'm worried about. I don't know if they know they can turn to you. They don't know who to turn to," Julia said still speaking softly.

Nick started crying, "I love them… You guys know I love them, right? That I would do anything for them?"

Julia and Sadie both nodded.

"But do they know?" Sadie asked softly.

"Nick, you don't know what you're parents are saying to them. ‘No, don't call Nick, he's busy with his career.’ BJ told me, she wanted to call you, but had been told not to. So she didn't know where to go," Julia said, seeing the pain in his eyes, but he deserved to know the truth.

"Oh God…" he whispered, "No… No, no, no… Not even they would do that. Not even them. I hate them… I fucking HATE THEM."

"Nick, they did that," Aaron said, walking out of the room. "She fell asleep and I heard the commotion," he explained.

Nick stood up straight, hastily wiping his eyes. "Oh… Aaron… Uh… she's asleep, huh?"

"Why do you do that?" Aaron asked as his own eyes filled with tears.

"Do what?" he asked.

"Why do you stop crying when you see me? Why do you change the subject? I'm sixteen! I can handle the fact that we have assholes for parents!" Aaron shouted as the tears started down his own cheeks.

"AC…" Nick whispered, "Don't cry…" He walked over to his brother.

Aaron just stood there and tears rolled down his cheeks. "Why, Nick? Why don't they care like they should?" he spoke softly.

"I…" Nick swallowed he lump in his throat, placing a hand on Aaron's head. His voice cracked as he spoke, "I don't know, Aaron…" He wanted to hug his brother. He wanted to hold him and tell him it was going to be okay like he had his sister, but… It was so different. Nick had no idea how he'd react.

Aaron didn't care anymore. He wrapped his arms around his brother and cried. He was scared.

"God…" Nick cried as he held his brother close. Aaron was so young, this shouldn’t be happening to him. Or BJ… Or Leslie or Angel. It wasn't fair, "Aaron… you're okay. I promise, you're okay. I'm not going to let them… do anything anymore. I'm so sorry you're going through this…"

Julia tapped Sadie's arm and pointed her head towards the cafeteria, suggesting that maybe they should leave the two alone for a few minutes.

Sadie nodded and they left.

Nick soothed the boy's blonde hair, not knowing what to do for him. He didn't know how to do this… He wasn't a parent.

Aaron pulled away and wiped his eyes, "Thanks, Nick. I needed that.”

Nick's lips formed a half grin, "Me too…"

"They left?" Aaron asked softly.

He averted his eyes, "Let me worry about that, AC…"

"Did they, Nick?" Aaron asked with a firm tone to his voice.

"It's not important," Nick stated just as firm, yet… protective.

Aaron knew the answer, "Where am I gonna go? I don't want to go back to them."

Nick sighed and closed his eyes. This was becoming too much for him to handle.

"Never mind, I'll worry about that… Where did Sadie and her go?" Aaron asked, changing the subject.

Nick's eyes snapped open at his comment, "Aaron… you don't think I'm gonna leave you, do you?" He just realized that his parents must have been so afraid of Nick finding out, they hadn't even bothered to pick up Aaron. Damn them…

"I don't want to be a burden," Aaron sighed.

"No… Damn it, no, Aaron! I don't know what they told you, but if you guys need me… I don't care what's going on… If you feel it's important enough to call me about, I'll come running! You HAVE to know that!"

"Okay!" he shouted, "Okay… I know that… okay? We know…"

Nick took a step back. His voice pitch lowered, "Why are you getting so upset over this?"

"I'm upset that… they… didn't even… they don’t care!" Aaron said softly, "They just… left me here. They don't care."

Nick wasn't going to deny the truth, "I don't know what to tell you… except that… it's not you… It's not just you guys…"

"What?" Aaron had been confused by that last comment.

"It's not just you guys… Aaron," Nick sighed, "they shipped me off when I was twelve… Twelve. I didn't see them ten months out of the year… and I had you guys fly over to see me just cuz I missed you. They didn't raise me, AC… I was raised by the guys… Kevin mostly. He's my father figure. Not Dad…"

"Why did they even have kids?" he mumbled, sitting down.

"Do you see how much money I give them a month?" Nick rubbed a hand over his eyes, "And do you think I'd give it to them if it was just the two of them?"

Aaron just looked to the floor, "Thank you, Nick. I love you."

Nick's stomach did a flop. That phrase was rarely exchanged between the two of them, "I… I love you too, Aaron."