Howie excused himself from AJ and went inside, answering the cordless that sat on the counter. "Dorough."

"Howie it's Paul..."

Immediately Howie froze and went over, shutting the patio door. AJ was still walking around the yard, deep in thought. "Paul!! Nice to hear from you, you back in good ol' Puerto Rico yet?"

"Actually not yet, have a few more things to take care of up here in Orlando."

"I didn't know we were having any business problems?"

"I'm just filing some paperwork and catching up with some old friends." he smiled at Lou across the desk from him.

"That's what vacations are good for. There any reason you called?" He ran a hand through his hair anxiously. Something seemed off in Paul's voice.

"Actually there is..."

AJ stood on the deck looking at Howie through the patio door. He could tell something was up, Howie was pacing the kitchen and was as pale as a ghost. He was tempted to knock on the door but he could see the cordless in his hand. Last thing he wanted was someone hearing his voice or D say his name, even if it was one of the others.

*****

Lis stared at Nick, "What are you saying?"

"Start over...fresh...no more Nick Carter Backstreet Boy...no more Lissy Carter Backstreet Wife, just plain old Nick and Lissy...maybe a couple kids running around..." he put his hands on her legs. "Please Lis...I think this is seriously best for us."

She stared into his eyes, "You're scared of something..."

He closed his eyes, "I went off on Lou last night...and I'm terrified of what he could do to get back at me. Look he ripped us apart twice, do you really want to risk it again?? Because I sure as hell don't."

"What about everything you've worked for?? With the band and by yourself...come on Nicky you don't want to just throw that all away. What if we can get him?"

"And what if we can't?? I don't want to live a life dictated by Lou Pearlman Lis!!"

"But you are if we leave."

*****

Alec walked downstairs, talking to herself as she walked outside. She found Ty sitting there staring out at the water. "How's Kev?"

"He's a wreck, everything's getting to him. I'm almost tempted to give him a sleeping pill just to see if it'll help." she glanced around. "Where's Jenn?"

"She left. Said she wanted some down time to think. Might be back tonight."

Alec sunk into the chair, "I'm not sure what we should do anymore..."

"About?"

"Everything, anything."

Lou watched Paul click the phone off and set it on the desk. "Well?"

A slow smile appeared on his face, "Mr Dorough is anxious to meet with me."

"Good good." Lou looked around his office, "That'll be two down and three to go. You know Paul, they're kind of like dominoes, one falls and the rest will follow."

"D, what's going on man? You're shaking." AJ said, walking inside the house.

Howie barely listened to AJ, his mind was reeling from his short conversation. Longer then short actually but Howie had stopped paying attention halfway through. "I'm in trouble man..."

"What do you mean D?"

He ran a hand nervously through his hair. "Paul called..." he stopped, he wasn't supposed to tell anyone what was going on.

"And what? Did he say something?" AJ stood across from his friend. "Howard??"

He raised his eyes slowly and looked at his friend. "I've got a meeting tonight. If you're going to talk to Jenn tonight, do me a favor and go by the beachhouse first...tell Ty I'm all right."

"Beachhouse?? D you know I'm a dead man if I go near there. Kevin would kill me with his bare hands right now, let alone the way Rok feels."

"They may not be there. Just do this for me."

AJ let out a deep breath, "Yeah sure. What do you want me to tell her?"

"I had some business come up so I'm staying in town tonight. And I'll see her first thing tomorrow."

He nodded, "All right...what's up D?? You look awful. What did he say?"

Howie swallowed the lump in his throat, "I'll tell you later. Right now I gotta go."

Sitting in his driveway, AJ pulled his cell out of his pocket and dialled the beachhouse, praying for a friendly voice to answer the phone.

Ty stared at the ringing cordless and reached across the table, picking it up. "Hello."

"Ty!!" AJ practically yelled, his voice filled with relief.

"J that you?" She asked, the connection wasn't that great.

"Its me. Can we talk?"

"Course."

"Could you meet me at the beach in about an hour?"

"Do you want me to bring D? He should be home soon."

"Its about D, Ty."

"Okay...beach in an hour. See you then." She clicked the phone off, wondering just what J needed to see her for.