When the music stopped and the crowd starting screaming louder, Tessa realized what had just happened, and she began to shake. AJ expertly bowed to the crowd taking her with him and turned and slowly walked her off the stage.

Tessa was swooped upon by backstage personnel. AJ barely had time to kiss her, let alone talk to her. He had to get back on stage and finish the show.

A man named Joe introduced himself and took her under his wing. He led her to a place where she could finish watching the concert and gave her a glass of water. "Here, drink this is will calm you down a little. You were very good out there." Joe tried to get her to stop shaking.

"Thanks. I was a nervous wreck."

"I couldn't tell. It looked planned."

Tessa reached out and squeezed his hand, "Thank you. It felt good to dance with AJ again. I only hope there are no repercussions. Now, people are going to know about me. AJ wanted to keep it quiet."

Joe started to walk away. "Joe?"

"Yes ma'am?"

"Thank you for not making me feel like an idiot."

Joe nodded. "I'll be back to get you when it's time to leave," and walked away. He watched her from a distance. It was going to be interesting to watch this play out. Girls had come and gone in the lives of the Backstreet Boys. Where this ended up, only heaven knew. This girl seemed different from the others though. She was a little older, which would probably cause a stink. But, she seemed to actually care about AJ. And, AJ perked up the instant he saw her. Joe smiled to himself and went back about his business.

When the concert was over the guys came running backstage and, it seemed to Tessa, that they were all on the bus before she knew what had happened.

Once on the bus, AJ led her to the back where there was a little living area. He sat down on a couch and pulled her into his arms kissing her. Finally, he pulled back and just starred at her. "God I love you." And he kissed her again.

Before Tessa could say a word, the other four "Boys" entered the room and sat down, starring at her, with big smiles on their faces. Tessa was a bit overwhelmed when they all started talking at once.

"Hi, I'm Brain. It is good to finally meet you." He said while standing up to shake her hand. The others followed his lead.

"I'm Kevin, you looked wonderful out there tonight."

"Hi, Tessa," said Howie.

"And I'm Nick. I always seem to be the last one to get to talk." He got up to shake her hand like the others had done and just then the bus lurched and Nick fell onto Tessa. He ended with his face in her crotch.

"Well, hello Nick, I'm happy to meet you too." Tessa said trying not to laugh. But.... She couldn't keep it in. It started to bubble up in little bursts. She bit her top lip trying to suppress it, but when she felt AJ jiggling from his building laughter, she erupted in laughter. Soon all of them were laughing.

"I'm so sorry Nick." She reached out to him. "I crack jokes when I'm nervous. And, the site of all of you at once is a little nerve racking."

Nick stood up, feeling embarrassed, but he too, started laughing. "I like her AJ, she fits in well with this little group." Then he bent down and kissed Tessa on the cheek.

"So Tessa, how did you meet AJ." Asked Kevin.

And ... the interrogation began. They all talked for an hour or so before they decided that she had had enough. She had answered all their questions and then some. She met with their approval and that made for a very happy AJ, not that their approval was needed, but it made for a much more pleasant atmosphere on the bus.

"OK guys," said Brian. "I, for one, am happy to see that stupid smile on Bone's face again."

"Thanks Bri." AJ said as he threw a book at Brian who ducked it expertly and gave AJ a Cheshire cat grin.

"Hey, Brian." Said Kevin tactfully changing the subject. "Do you want to do some more work on that song?"

"Sure." Brian got up and got his guitar and handed a pad and pen to Kevin.

Soon, they all were throwing comments at Kevin to write down. They were really getting into finishing the song when Kevin threw up his hand and said. "Just go slow. I can't write as fast as you can talk."

Tessa spotted a laptop and asked if she could do use it. Nick nodded. She got up and got it and sat back down. She opened it and set up the word processor and began typing everything that they were saying. Her fingers were flying across the keyboard while she watched each one speak.

They all stopped and looked at her. She looked around the room at them. "What?"

"You type fast." Nick said. "Did you actually get all that typed?"

"Yes."

"Everything we said?" Asked Howie.

Tessa looked at him and smiled, "It's what I do"

"You sit around on busses and type what people say?" He asked with the stupidest expression he could make.

"No, I type what jerk lawyers say into Dictaphones...or at least I did. I don't have a job anymore."

"What?" AJ asked. "You got fired?"

"No, I quit."

"You finally told that jerk where to get off? I'm so proud of you babe."

"Oh good, you are proud that I'm jobless."

"No... No...No... I'm proud that you quit letting that jerk be so horrible to you. What did he do this time?"

"He wouldn't let me come to see you." Tessa said quietly.

"You quit your job so you could come and see me?" AJ asked as he hugged her.

"Oh isn't that just too sweet." Chimed in Howie with his palms together held up to his cheek and head bent sideways.

Tessa threw a pillow at him. She was going to like these guys.

Chapter 11

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