The flight to D.C took longer than Kevin wanted. Or maybe it just seemed longer to him because he was in such a hurry to be there. Either way, Kevin's nerves were totally shot by the time he reached the airport in D.C.
Not bothering to find a hotel, he left that up to one of the security guards that accompanied him, he went immediatly to the building where the hostage situation was occuring.
The entire decision to come to Washington D.C, to see if he could get to Drew, was hopeless. The building was blocked off almost a mile all around. No one could get close.
Kevin tried everything he could think off to get close. He tried bribery, he tried using his name to pull some strings but nothing would help. He couldn't even get close enough to see the front doors.
Dejectedly, he went to the hotel and started the agonizing process of waiting. His waiting went on for three days. Everyday he would go back to see what he could find out, to see what was going on. And everyday the results were the same. Nothing.
After the third day, Kevin finally started listening to the protests of his security team and caught a plane home.
As soon as he entered his house he saw the lights blinking on his answering machine but ignored it. He knew who it was and he didn't want to hear it. He knew it had to be his bandmates or management or the record company. Who knows. Whoever it was, was going to fuss him out because he practically dissapeared for three straight days.
Kevin sighed and changed his clothes and headed toward the studio, where he knew his bandmates were.
Apon his entrance, AJ, Howie, Brian and Nick all stood up and glared at him. AJ was the first to speak. "Kevin, man, where have you been? We haven't been able to get in touch with you for three days!"
Kevin nodded calmly and took a seat. "I was in D.C" he stated simply, not bothering to explain.
"What were you doing in D.C?" Howie asked, then paused. "Isn't that where those people are being held hostage?" Kevin nodded again and Howie asked "What were you doing up there?"
Kevin stood, no longer able to sit and said quietly "Drew's up there."
The guys looked at one another quizically, not understanding. AJ looked at Kevin and said "Drew? My Drew?"
Through clenched teeth, Kevin said "No, my Drew." AJ raised his eyebrows in understanding and a little bit of surprise.
Brian stepped forward between the two of them and said "Wait a second. Who's Drew?"
Kevin turned away from AJ and looked at Brian. "You met her. At that club that night." he said in way of an explanation.
Brian still didn't seem to recognize the name, then the light apparently dawned. "The girl with the black hair? Angel?"
"Yes." Kevin said, taking a deep breath and turning to gaze out the window. "Angel."
******************************
The following week was torture for Kevin. He recieved no contact with Drew but he still kept in touch with her parents, hoping they'd heard anything. The rarely recieved word of any changes but when they did, they readily informed kevin.
As much as he would have preferred it not to, life went on around him. The new album was finished and they were nearly ready to release the first single. What began was the familar, yet tedious experience of planning the tour and promotions for the new album.
Only a week after his return from Washington, Kevin was sitting in yet another meeting. Tiredly, he rolled his head and massaged the muscles in his neck with one hand. Amazingly, he was able to listen to the flow of conversationg an deven offer a comment every now and then. His bandmates and their management team all sat around a long, rectangular table, making plans. Kevin was listening to a manager list the venues that would be available to them when a petite blong receptionist opened the door after knocking quietly.
"Mr. Richardson, you have a phone call."
Kevin looked up, surprised and said "Tell them I'm in a meeting and I'll call them back."
"It's a long distance call. From Washington D.C." she informed him.
Kevin was immediatly out of his chair and to the door before anyone could protest. He followed the receptionist and picked up the phone she pointed to.
"Hello?" he asked.
"Hey."
Kevin felt weeks worth of tension leave his body and he slumped into the nearest chair. "Drew." he breathed in relief. A moment of silence went by as Kevin's relief flooded him "Where are you?" he asked finally.
"Well, actually I'm on a plane right now." she answered.
"The receptionist said you were in Washington."
"Well, she told me you were in a meeting so I told her to tell you it was a long distance call from Washington." she admitted.
"Are you ok?" he asked.
"Of course I am." she told him. "Listen, my plane lands in about twenty minutes..."
"I'll be there." he said quickly and said goodbye to her. He didn't bother to return to the meeting, only askingthe receptionist to inform the others of his departure, and then he left.
******************************
"Flight 107 from Washington D.C., now landing, Gate C." Kevin took a deep breath and stretched his neck to try and see over the sea of people. He was unsuccessful so he gave up and hung back at the back of the crowd. After a few minutes, as the passengers began to depart, the crowd thinned and Kevin waited impatiently for Drew to come out.
After several minutes, he finally saw her. She walked toward him slowly, smiling. When she finally reached him, they said nothing, she just slid into his arms.
Kevin felt the remainder of his tension and worry slide right away the moment she was in his arms again. He held her close for a while, not saying anything, just relishing the fact that she was safe and in his arms again. Finally, he pulled away from her and looked into her eyes. He had a million questions to ask but before he could get any of them out, she placed a finger over his lips and said "Let's go home."
