The shrill ring of a telephone interrupted the peaceful silence of the small, but comfortable, studio apartment.

Maggie groaned and looked over at the clock on her nightstand. The illuminated digital numbers read 7:04 AM. “Who ever is calling me at seven in the morning on a weekend better have a damn good reason,” she mumbled before taking the receiver off the cradle.

“What?” She demanded not bothering to hide the aggravation in her voice.

“Mags? Uh, hi. It’s Nick.” The voice on the other end greeted her with hesitation.

“Nick!” she exclaimed sitting up in bed, pushing her curly red hair out of her eyes. “What’s the matter?” Maggie knew when Nick called it had to be important, the two had drifted apart in the last few years.

“It’s AJ…” Nick’s voice trailed off and Maggie thought she heard him choking back some tears. “He’s gotten himself in some real trouble, Maggie. He’s in the hospital, with alcohol poising. We got him here in time, but he keeps asking for you.” Nick paused and before Maggie could answer he said rather quickly, “We already got you a flight that can get you from Los Angles to Orlando by five o’clock tonight.”

Tears of her own had begun to fall from Maggie’s emerald eyes and stream down her cheeks. She had no time to think or plan this, but it seemed as though Kevin had everything in control, as always.

“That’s fine Nick. I can be ready to go in an hour.”

After gathering the remaining information from Nick, Maggie hung up the phone, not moving from the bed. Taking a deep breath she grabbed the television remote and tuned into MTV, wondering if the media had caught wind of the newest Backstreet Boy gossip. Apparently they not only knew of AJ’s misfortune but MTV was having a field day broadcasting the story as though it were the next world war.

“This is Brian McFayden with MTV news outside the Orlando hospital that AJ McLean of the pop phenomenon Backstreet Boys was brought to last night after suffering severe alcohol poisoning. According to the press release from Jive Records and the boys’ management AJ consumed a high-risk amount of hard liquor during a night of celebrating his twenty-forth birthday. AJ has admitted to the press in recent interviews that he does have an alcohol problem, but no one imagined it was this extreme. That’s all for now stay tuned for more at ten to the hour, every hour on MTV news where you hear it first.”

The news cut out and commercials blared from the TV, Maggie threw back her covers and stomped angrily into the bathroom down the hall. Turning on the shower she thought to herself, “why me? Why after two years of not talking to me does he want me of all people?” She had known before the press about AJ’s battle with alcohol. She knew it before the members of his group, but that didn’t make for a valid reason in her mind for why AJ was asking for her. Stripping off her clothes and stepping into the shower Maggie tried to wash the memories away so she could see her life long friend with a clear mind.

- - - - -

Maggie turned off the water and wrapped herself in a towel. “No more thinking about this.” She said to her reflection in the mirror. But it was a hopeless remark.

Ever since Maggie had met AJ, eleven years ago at Universal, they had been best of friends. He worked for a short time on a couple of Nickelodeon shows and she was ticket collector at the front gate. They spent summers sneaking around the studio playing pranks on various actors and employees. They had promised “friends forever” and now that promise was coming true.

- - - - -

Maggie growled a few curses to herself while throwing various articles of clothing into her suitcase. “I should have never agreed to go.” It was already too late, the cab honked its horn leaving her no more time to get ready before she went to the airport and boarded a plane to Orlando, Florida for the first time in two years.

At the airport Maggie paid the cab driver, got her ticket then headed directly to her gate. She wasn’t planning on staying long so all she brought was a carry on bag. It was really all she had time to pack too, on such short notice. The whole flight she sat wondering “why” but five hours later as the plane landed on Florida’s turf she was about to find the answer.

As she exited the plane she saw a gentleman standing in a black suit and black cap holding a sign with “West” printed in bold lettering. “How nice, Kevin even thought to have me arrive in style.” She said to herself before going over to the man.

“I’m your girl, let’s get going.” She mumbled before falling in step along side the limo driver. Once inside the stretch car Maggie closed her eyes and tried to catch up on the lack of sleep she had gotten.

- - - - -

The limo pulled up to the hospital a half-hour later. Unaware that she would be going straight to the hospital she rolled the window in between her and the driver down and asked why he had not taken her to the hotel. He answered by saying he was only doing what he had been asked. Nodding her head she thanked him and opened the door to step out. “Please be back to get me in an hour.” She instructed before turning to go inside.

“Can’t do that ma’am I was only paid to take you this far.” He shrugged pulling away before Maggie had a chance to answer him.

“Bastard.” She mumbled to herself. Walking into the hospital she was greeted by Nick before she even had a chance ask for AJ’s room at the front desk. She caught herself sucking in her breath as he sauntered over to her. It was obvious the boy hadn’t slept much, the dark circles under his normally bright blue eyes were a dead give away.

“I’m glad you could make it so soon.” He said, opening his arms to her. Hesitating a moment Maggie welcomed his hug and sighed. She had forgotten how good he smelled. They lingered a moment in a strong embrace before the sound of someone clearing their throat interrupted the moment.

Pulling away from one another Maggie looked up to see Kevin’s lanky figure standing back a few feet from where she and Nick stood. “I’d hate to break up your reunion but there’s someone who’s been asking to see you.” He spoke roughly narrowing his brilliant blue eyes at Maggie.

She in return rolled her eyes at him and smirked, “it’s been two years, I’m sure he can wait another two minutes.”

Before the moment became anymore awkward Nick reached out his hand and took Maggie’s luggage. “Come on, I’ll take you to his room. He’s been alert since this morning. Brian found him passed out on the steps at his house last night. Apparently he drank two bottles of Jack Daniel’s. We still can’t get him to tell us WHY he felt the need to drink himself to death, but maybe he’ll talk to you. The first thing he said when he was able to talk was ‘where’s Magic’, that’s when I called you.” He filled her in as the walked together to the elevator.

In the elevator Kevin stood in between the two, making sure body contact was not an option. When the doors opened, Nick walked out towards AJ’s room, before Maggie could follow Kevin grabbed a hold of her arm pulling her back into the elevator. “Don’t think I don’t know why you really told Nick you’d come back. I warned you before to stay away, you’re nothing but trouble.” He hissed, bending down as to make close eye contact with her. “Just because AJ wants to see you doesn’t mean you’re welcomed.” Speaking the last of his threat he pressed the door open button and stalked out onto the floor.

“Asshole.” She said to no one in particular. She knew that coming back would drag out all the old memories. Not all of them good, but AJ and her were friends before the Backstreet Boys and even after their friendship disolved she never let one day go by where she didn’t think of him. When she got to his room she stood by the door scared to go inside and see him in person after all this time. Television had given her the convenience of seeing him and his group mates but as Kevin had said, coming back here felt more unwelcoming and it was almost more than she could bear.

- - - - -

“Alexander James.” Maggie said softly from the foot of her best friends’ bed.

Not bothering to open his eyes the raven hair man smiled and extended his arms. “Magic, baby girl, I didn’t think you would come.”

Placing her hands into AJ’s Maggie leaned down and kissed his check. “Its called AA Alex. It worked for me.”

Her words were sincere, but all AJ heard was bitterness. Opening his eyes for the first time since Maggie had entered the room he cringed. The woman in front of him was not the beautiful, cheerful red head he remembered. Her skin was pale and her hair hung in lifeless, dull curls around her shoulders. Her piercing emerald eyes had lost their spark. Everything about her was different.

“What happened to you?” He finally managed to speak his tone low and fearful.

Taking a seat in the hard, cold chair next to the bed Maggie let out a heavy sigh. “Do we really need to drag out the past when we both had it hard enough living through it the first time?”

“So you’re trying to say it’s my fault you look like shit?” AJ growled.

Maggie stood up, tears brimming in her eyes. “That’s real nice to say to your best friend after two years of no contact. And no, Alex, I never said it was your fault, you’re putting words in my mouth.”

“Let me get this right then, you’re saying it was your fault?”

Sulking over to the door Maggie placed her hand on the knob. Before she opened the door to escape the uncomfortableness she paused and turned back to face her friend. Speaking slowly, as though choosing her words with caution, she began. “It’s no ones fault I fell in love with Nickolas instead of you. However, it is your fault you lost your best friend. You are nothing but a selfish, stubborn jerk.” Letting the words sink in she opened the door and left.

“Bitch.” AJ muttered as the door closed behind him.

- - - - -

Exiting the room, Maggie brushed the tears away from her fair skinned cheeks. Noticing Kevin sitting a few feet from her she quickly regained her composure.

“What hotel am I reserved to stay at?” She questioned coming over to where Kevin sat reading one of the hospitals provided magazines.

Not bothering to look up Kevin nonchalantly replied, “I didn’t bother to book you a room anywhere. I figured you could go home on a red eye tonight.”

Shocked and insulted by Kevin’s answer Maggie walked away. “Pretentious bastard.” She grumbled walking past Nick, but not bothering to acknowledge him.

*

“Hey man, why is Maggie so pissed? Did things not go well with her and AJ?” Nick bombarded Kevin with questions.

Placing the magazine back down on the small plastic table Kevin crossed his arms and shrugged. “She wasn’t too pleased about her flight arrangements,” was the only answer he gave before standing up and leaving Nick behind, a confused look on his tanned features.

Watching Kevin go into AJ’s room Nick debated whether to follow and continue questioning his older group mate or chase after the girl he had once loved. Running his hand through his sandy blonde hair he sighed then turned to go find Maggie.

*

Maggie stood by the pay phone waiting impatiently on hold with the hotel she was in the middle of making arrangements with. Dropping another dime into the phone Maggie sighed. The employee came back on the line, “sorry to keep you…”

A man’s hand reached over Maggie’s shoulder and disconnected her call.

“What the hell was that for?” Turning to face the guilty party she was met with Nick’s steady gaze looking down at her.

He smiled at her and simply stated, “you’ll be happy to know there’s a vacancy at ‘Hotel ala Carter’.” Putting his arm around Maggie’s slender shoulder he kissed the top of her head. "Are you as hungry as I am? Cause I’m starving.” Nick grinned as Maggie looked up at him with a grateful smile.