AJ looked Nick up and down. "Way to go, man." He snarled.

Nick shrugged. "What are you even doing here, you're supposed to be in bed, recovering."

"Well, I guess I'm recovered."

"Sure." Nick mumbled walking away from AJ to join Maggie and the others at the table.

*

Maggie started back to the table where Brian, Howie and Carmen sat. She felt odd and out of place as she watched the 3 friends talking amongst themselves.

"Hey!" Carmen shouted towards Maggie. "Come on and join us." As she spoke she pulled one of the yellow plastic chairs out for Maggie to sit.

Taking a seat Maggie shot a grateful look at Carmen. "Thanks."

"No problemo." The brunette smiled. "So how do you know these guys?"

"I met AJ when we were 14 and worked at Universal. My parents always insisted I got a job as soon as I could. It turned out to be the best 2 years of my life." Maggie spoke shyly.

Brian eyed the red head with suspicion. "Mags, why aren't you your normally happy self?"

Rolling her eyes Maggie put her fork down and stared at him blankly. "Do you really think this is the best time to make jokes, talk about the past or be in a good mood in general?"

"Ouch. That had to hurt." Howie commented.

Before Maggie had the chance to counter act Nick joined the foursome at the table. "Mind if I have a seat?" He said, taking one before anyone had the chance to answer.

"Hey, Carter, you can't put your fat ass there." Carmen smirked.

"Why's that?"

Twirling her hair in her fingers, her chocolate eyes twinkled. "I was saving it for AJ." She pointed to where AJ once stood, but frowned when she saw he had left the cafeteria.

"Bad move." Howie said more to himself then anyone.

"I have to go." Maggie stated suddenly, standing up.

No one had the chance to stop her before she was out in the hall.

- - - - -

"Not what you imagined your return to be like, eh?" Maggie heard a familiar voice say to her.

Turning to face the person who it belonged to she sighed. "No, AJ. I never even thought I would come back."

"Well, I'm glad you did. Now give me a hug Magic." He affectionately used her nickname that he had made up many years ago.

Collapsing into his outreached arms a fresh set of tears poured from her emerald eyes. "I love you Alex. I was so scared when I thought I lost you."

"I'm sorry." He apologized for not just that day, but all the years they had lost.

"Where did it all go wrong?" She choked through her tears.

"Who knows, babe, but let's try and make up for all that lost time, go back to my room and talk." He put his hand in hers and led her through the halls.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The hot Florida sun beat down on the couple as they walked hand and hand along the beach. Kicking some sand the blonde looked down at his girlfriend of seven months with a frown. “I hate having to leave you.” He whined.

Maggie paused and stood to look out at the waves as they crashed and rolled towards the land. “It’s just for a month Nicky. I’ll miss you, but remember absence makes the heart grow fonder.” Inhaling the salty air she leaned her head against Nick’s broad chest.

Ever since she had met Nick her life had been even more filled then she could have imagined. Her best friend, AJ, had made four brothers and had a dedicated fan base that spread worldwide. At the present time the boys had just returned back to the United States after doing promotional tours in Europe. It was during that time that Maggie had traveled with the group and began dating Nick.

They hadn’t been away from each other more than a few hours at a time when the boys were off doing radio interviews or concerts. Now they had to go back to Europe again and this time Maggie wouldn’t be joining them. She had plans to go back to school for dance and needed to stay home and focus on her life for a change.

“Promise me something?” The young man asked, his cobalt eyes begged for her attention.

Turning to face him, her green eyes studied his face for a moment before she nodded. “I’ll do my best.”

Reaching into his pocket he grab a hold of her left hand. “Promise me you’ll be my girl forever.” Nick stated, placing a small promise ring on her left ring finger.

A small gasp escaped from Maggie’s lips before they spread into a wide grin. “I love you Nickolas Gene Carter. And of course I’ll promise you forever.” She said with out any hesitation.

This answer caused Nick to erupt into a celebration. He cheered and ran with his arms flailing into the ocean. Maggie stood back and laughed, her heart feeling complete.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Penny for your thought.” AJ spoke, interrupting Maggie from the past. The two had arrived back at AJ’s room and were sitting on the bed.

Shaking herself from the memories Maggie shrugged. She glanced down at her now empty ring finger before looking up into AJ’s dark brown eyes. “I was just remembering how much fun we used to have.” She lied.

Before AJ had the chance to ask more he noticed a piece of paper sitting on the bedside table. He grabbed it and read it out loud. “J, Went home with Kris. See you tomorrow. Your bro, Kev.”

Maggie tried her best not to comment, but her bitterness got the best of her. “That asshole had the nerve to assume I would be going home later tonight.” She snapped.

“And you’re not?” A surprised AJ questioned.

“No. I was hoping to spend SOME time with you, to catch up and all.”

AJ nodded. “So what hotel are you staying at?”

The red flushed to Maggie’s cheeks and she spoke barely above a whisper. “Actually, Nicky offered me a place to crash.”

Not sure if he had heard her or not AJ furrowed his brow. “Excuse me?”

Hesitating for a moment Maggie knew it was only fair that AJ heard her sleeping arrangements from her and no one else…like Kevin. “I’m staying with Nicky.” She said again, leaning back a bit, in fear that AJ might lash out.

His reaction was just the opposite. He shrugged and lay back against the pillows, placing his hands behind his head. “That was nice of him.” He said, almost too calmly. “You better go catch up with him before he goes. I’ll be fine, I’m getting pretty tired.” With a wave of his hand AJ closed his eyes. “See you around, Margot.”

Hearing her full name being used by the one person who knew how much she detested her name and had even given her the nickname “Magic” to make up for it, caused her to cringe. “Good bye, Alex. Stay sober.” She finally managed to squeak out before exiting the room in search of Nick.