"Why won't you come?"Nick asked stubbornly.

"Nick we talked about this,"Jessica replied crossing her arms, refusing to budge on her decision.

"Come on Jess, we've been without eachother for a long time and you won't even come with me,"Nick said.

"I told you, I have a job. Reshearsals are only for a few weeks,"Jessica told him with a shrug.

"Yeah but then there's the tour,"Nick pointed out.

"Yeah I know,"Jessica nodded.

"So what are you going to do???"Nick asked impatiently.

"I don't think I'd be able to come for all of the tour Nick. I'll probably get fired,"Jessica said, getting aggrevated that he was being so stubborn and pigheaded. They were so happy until he had to go pick a fight with her and insist that she come with him for the tour rehearsals.

"You don't need to work,"Nick insisted.

"I don't like to live off of you Nick,"Jessica told him quietly.

"But I want you with me Jess,"Nick said, on the verge of whining.

Jessica sighed. She knew that being with Nick required her to make sacrafices. Her job would probably be number one, but she didn't want to give it up just yet.

She felt herself caving though. As much as she didn't want to Jessica found herself saying,"Just give me until after rehearsals."

Apparently this answer satisfied Nick because he gave her a large grin and pulled her into a suffocating hug. He kissed her on the mouth deeply.

The next day the limo came and picked Nick up at the house.

"I'm gonna miss you baby,"Nick said, giving her a sexy half smile.

"Me too Nicky,"Jessica said with a smile, wrapping her arms around his neck. She had been pissed off at him the previous day, but as she looked into his baby blues she felt the anger fade. She realized how much she loved him and really did want to be with him. No matter what it took. Even if she did have to give up her job for a while. Jessica told herself that she could get another job when the tour was over. She had been without him too long.

He smiled at her and leaned down to give her a sweet, passionate kiss,"You have no idea how glad I am that we're back together."

"Oh yes I do,"Jessica smiled, pulling him down for another kiss on the lips.

"I'll call you as soon as we get to LA,"Nick promised.

"Ok, have fun,"Jessica told him as he gave her a final kiss before he left.

"Bye Jess,"Nick said.

"Bye,"she replied. He turned and started walking towards the limo, looking over his shoulder to give her a smile. Jessica waved and watched as he got into the limo. She didn't go back inside until it drove off. Jessica sighed happily and turned to go back into the house. She saw little pug faces pressed up against the door, looking curiously out. Jessica laughed lightly and shook her head.

"Hello?"Jessica asked into the phone into the kitchen, pulling herself onto the countertop.

"Hey,"Nick said cheerfully into the phone.

"Hey what's up?"Jessica replied with a smile.

"Well I have good news. Well it's not exactly good news, but I think you'll be happy,"Nick said.

"What?"Jessica asked.

"Well I know you hate being without a job and you wanna feel independant and all that stuff sooo..."

"Nick just spit it out,"Jessica urged him.

"One of our dancers broke her leg yesterday. The spot's yours if you want it,"Nick said. Jessica could tell that he was smiling.

"Are you freakin serious??"Jessica practically screeched into the phone.

Nick laughed,"No this is my idea of a cruel joke. YES, I'm serious. Fatima knows how good you are, she's seen you dance. She suggested it, not me."

"OH MY GOD!!!"Jessica shouted, jumping off the counter excitedly.

"So do you want the job?"Nick joked.

"YES!!"Jessica cried out.

"Easy over there,"Nick teased. "I don't wanna blow an eardrum."

"Tell Fatima that she's the best!"Jessica said happily.

"She knows she is,"Nick laughed,"but I'll tell her anyway."

"Thank you Nicky,"Jessica said quietly, smiling to herself.

"Hey, as I said she suggested it. But I want to make you happy Jess. If a job is what makes you happy then all the power to you,"Nick told her honestly.

"I love you,"Jessica said.

"I love you too,"Nick replied. "Now you gotta get your fine ass over here as soon as you can. You're already a week behind."

Jessica shrieked happily,"This is so great Nick."

"Yeah,"he said with a smile.

After a month of hard work, the tour finally came together. Fatima wasn't disappointed with her decision. Jessica got along great with the rest of the dancers and she was quick to learn the routines. The group was set to kick off the tour next week in Fort Lauderdale. Jessica was absolutely thrilled to be working on the tour. She got to dance and be with Nick at the same time. Things couldn't get better for her. The guys were happy to have her along too. Things were also finally starting to settle down between Jessica and AJ. She was upset at having to leave her family just when things were starting to patch up among them but Jessica felt like her life couldn't have been more perfect than it was right then.

"What are you thinking about?"Nick asked, his arms wrapping around her body. Jessica smiled and fell into his embrace.

"How perfect things are,"she replied. Nick grinned and leaned in, his lips connecting with hers. His hands traveled up her shirt and rubbed her smooth, tanned skin.

"You know, if feels like we never broke up,"Jessica said as she broke the kiss.

"Yeah,"Nick said, not interested in talking right then. His lips moved down to her neck and he hoisted her up onto his lap, his hands roaming.

"Yo guys...whoa sorry,"Brian said, his face flaming up with embarrassment.

Jessica hopped off of Nick's lap, looking down at the floor, blushing,"It's ok Bri."

"Umm, Fatima wants to run another rehearsal,"Brian said.

Nick groaned,"Again??"

Brian nodded,"Again."

"Her and these friggin rehearsals!"Nick whined.

"Quit your cryin',"Jessica teased, following Brian.

"Hey!"Nick said and chased after her. Jessica looked behind her and squealed. She ran past Brian quickly with Nick right behind her, laughing hysterically.

Brian laughed and rolled his eyes playfully,"Kids! Behave!" He got into the rehearsal room to see Nick tackling Jessica and tickling her.

"Whoa easy Nick. Don't hurt her,"Kevin scolded seeing Nick take her to the floor.

"She's enjoying this!"Nick grinned seeing his girlfriend withering underneath him with tears forming in the corner of her eyes from laughing so hard.

"Nick!! STOP!!"Jessica gasped inbetween her laughter.

"Nick leave her alone,"Howie said, unable to stop the smile that formed on his face.

"Nope, not until she says 'Nick Carter is the sexiest man alive',"Nick smirked, showing no signs of mercy.

"That's...pushing...it...Nick,"Jessica got out.

"Oh no, what was that??"Nick laughed.

"Yo Nick, chill man,"AJ said with a laugh. "Fatima is gonna come in any minute and give you smack down if you don't lay off."

Brian smiled. Things were back to normal and he was glad everything worked out. This was the way things were supposed to be.

All of a sudden, Fatima came in throught the double doors of the studio and stopped in her tracks. She rolled her eyes and walked over to Nick, smacking him upside the head playfully,"What's goin on Carter? What kinda trouble are you startin now?"

"Owww,"Nick said dramatically, getting up off of Jessica, who was now holding her side and wiping the tears from her eyes.

"You always gotta be starting riots at my rehearsals don't ya?"she joked, with her hands on her hips.

"No riots here Tima,"Nick smiled impishly glancing at Jessica.

"Don't listen to him, he's a troublemaker,"Jessica said with a grin.

"Now why you gotta be on her side?"Nick asked in mock anger.

Fatima rolled her eyes again and clapped her hands loudly,"ANYWAY! Time to work people!"

Everyone groaned loudly. Brian smiled again as they got set up for another long, tiring rehearsal. Things were definitely back to normal.

"I can't believe we're ready to start touring again,"Nick moaned, as he boarded the bus. There was going to be another long many months ahead of them of hard work and dedication. More months of living in hotel rooms and out of suitcases. But with that came the excitement and exhileration of the stage and that was priceless. Performing was what they did best and what they loved. It was something inside of them that they'd never get tired of.

"This'll be a tour we'll never forget,"Jessica predicted as she put her arms around Nick.

He smiled,"Yeah."

"Woohoo, let's go y'all!"AJ hollared as he hopped onto the bus, excitedly. They all had tons of energy at the beginning of every tour.

"You're definitely staying on this bus with us,"Nick said.

"Well I gotta go on the dancers' bus too Nick. You know I wanna spend time with the girls,"Jessica told him.

"Fair enough,"Nick nodded. "But tonight you stay with us."

"Fair enough,"Jessica smiled and gave him a light kiss.

"Hurry up guys, get on the bus!"AJ yelled as he jogged up and down the bus.

Kevin shot him an amused look as he climbed on the bus,"Relax Bone."

"For crissakes what the hell was he smoking this morning?"Howie commented as he followed Kevin.

"Obviously something,"Brian replied looking at AJ and laughed at his excitement. The bus doors closed behind them, signaling the start of the Black and Blue tour.

Late that night as Nick and Jessica got ready to go to sleep, Nick was filled with an overwhelming feeling of happiness. He realized how lucky he was. He wouldn't trade his life for anything. He caught Jessica's eye as she climbed into the bunk they'd be sharing for the night. She gave him that smiled that he loved, and he grinned back. He got in after her and they were practically crushed together.

They both laughed loudly and tried to manuever so it was more comfortable.

"Ouch Nick you're laying on my arm!"

"Sorry! I can't help it. Hurry up get it out from under me."

"I can't move Nick."

"Neither can I!"

"Be quiet!"came Kevin's groggy voice. "We're tryin to sleep over here! If you two can't shut up then go into another room. Don't wake the whole damn bus up."

"Thanks Kev, you just woke me up with your little surmon,"AJ muttered. "I think you're the one waking the whole damn bus up."

"Everyone just be quiet,"Brian moaned.

"Tell that to Tweedle Dumb and Tweedle Dumbass over there,"AJ muttered.

"AJ you're such an ass,"Nick said.

"Uh huh yeah that's right, I was talkin bout you and Kevin,"AJ said.

"AJ shut up,"Howie mumbled.

"You know what D-"

"Everyone just go to sleep,"Kevin commanded.

"Ok g'nite Kev,"Nick said loudly.

"Oh god, good night Nick,"Kevin said, tiredly.

"Night Bone!"Nick called out.

"Night Carter,"came a drowsey replied.

"Geez this is like the Waltons,"Kevin groaned.

"Who???"

"Nevermind Nick..."

"Good night D."

"Good night Nicky."

"Good night Rok!"

"Night Nick."

"Good night Jess!"

"Nick I'm right here, you don't have to scream...good night."

"G'nite everyone."

"Shut up Nick!"came four replies.

"Fine."

Nick rolled over to face Jessica and looked into her eyes. He whispered,"I love you."

Jessica smiled softly,"I love you too."

They then shared a sweet kiss and Nick pulled her to him. He held her in his arms tightly. They knew this tour together probably wasn't going to be easy but they were prepared for whatever happened. Nick and Jessica had eachother and at that moment that was all they needed.