Title: A Change of Face -- It's My Life
Author: Granitite Stone, granitite@yahoo.com
Summary: Nothing is absolute. Our paths can be changed in an instant, and nothing will be the same. NOT PART OF STRANGE BEDFELLOWS!
Web Address: www.angelfire.com/weird/cobalite/index3.html
Pairing: AJ/Marshall
Rating: R

The Florida club scene. A darkened room and a seething mass of humanity writhing on the dance floor. The Backstreet Boys were in the house, and the place was packed. LeighAnne and Kristin were out in that mess somewhere, working the stress of recording out of their husbands, and his other band mates were looking for someone to do the same for them. Nick was just glad they were home, and he wouldn’t have to listen to every one’s favorite bad boy screwing whatever he was bringing to be tonight.

Nick eyed the crowd, searching for his friends. "God, I'm never getting out of here." It didn't dawn on Nick that the only reason he wanted to leave was he was the only one there alone, and thus not having a good time.

Someone behind him spoke. "He here?"

Nick spun around. Blond hair and tattoos greeted him. "Damn it, don't do that! You always do that."

"Aww, did I scare you, Carter?" The token white boy of D12 grinned at him. "I'd think you'd have more balls after a few hours in a holding cell."

"Leave me alone. Like you've never been in trouble." Nick really hated this guy.

"Yeah, and I didn’t cry when the cuffed me." There went that grin again. "If you're here, the rest of them are too. Boybands travel in packs." He scanned the crowd. "Tell him I'm here, and I'm free tonight. Got it, Carter?"

"Yeah." Nick waited until the rapper was gone to turn his back. "I wish he'd go away. There's something about their relationship that's just wrong, off somehow."

"You still brooding?" And now the other tattooed blond was bugging him. At least he liked this one. "One girl in a hundred shoots you down, and you're out of the game? She wants Howie's ass. That just shows she's got rotten taste."

"There’s nothing wrong with Howie. Sometimes I think you forget he’s your best friend. Now shut up about that girl, or I won't give you your message." Nick downed the rest of his shot.

"What message?" He dug into his pocket. "I got my cell."

"Not on the phone. Your 'friend' is here, and he's looking for you."

"Guess I'll have to tell the red head I have other plans." He turned back into the crowd. "I'm not sure whose place we're going to end up at, so tell Kev what's up, okay?"

Nick was so sick of this. "This is fucked up, you know that, right?"

"Hey, your last relationship went up in flames. At least he's never hit me."

"You leave her out of this!" Nick was sorry he'd even said anything. Maybe if he'd kept silent, this would have ended on it's own. "He's crazy, certifiable. And you're alone with him, constantly. I'm worried about you."

"I can take care of myself, Nick. Back off."

"I’m not going to back off. You’re crazy, being with him is crazy. Period."

"It’s not crazy. He’s not as bad as they say he is."

"Well, his friends are. ‘Fuck him, and the Backstreet Boys too.’ They know, and I don’t think they’re too happy about it."

"I’m not scared of D12."

He grabbed his band mate's wrist, sure the bleach had seeped into his brain. "Do you have any idea how dangerous being with him is?"

"I'm not as stupid as you all seem to think I am. I know what I'm doing."

"I don't think you do," Nick let go. "Marshall."
-----
End of Prologue

*Author laughs madly* I bet you weren't expecting that. If you don't get it, drop me a line at granitite@yahoo.com
Choose Your Poison at www.angelfire.com/weird/cobalite/index3.html 
~ When I look into the mirror, and see a face I don't recognize, I am no longer surprised.