Family Ties - Chapter 20

"Hello?" Nick Carter groaned as his cell phone rang loudly as he stepped into the dressing room removing costume from the show's finale'.

"Hi, Nick, it's Dad," a tired deep voice replied.

"Hey, Dad, what's up?"

"Nick, I need to talk to you."

The singer sat down taking a deep breath. "Sure, Dad."

"It's about your sister."

"Which one?" Nick asked with a slight chuckle. "There's quite a few, you know."

"Leslie, son, it's about Leslie."

"Is she okay?" he asked immediately.

"No, I mean, I don't know exactly."

"Dad, I don't get what you're sayin'."

"Your sister has some tests the day after tomorrow."

Nick's eyes widened. "What kind of tests? Is it serious?"

"Yes, it is. Leslie has been tested on and off for numerous diseases since December and now it's gotten pretty severe. The only options left for a diagnosis are pretty bad-" the older man stopped as he left himself on the verge of tears. He cleared his throat speakly slowly. "It doesn't look good, son."

"What are the options?"

"Nick, we don't need to discuss that right now."

"The hell we don't!"

"Now, calm down. I just wanted to let you know in case you might want to call Leslie or send her an e-mail."

Nick ran a shaky hand through his hair. "You're avioding the topic at hand! Just tell me what the hell they're testing for."

"I'll tell you once you calm down, I don't want you getting yourself all worked up, okay?"

"Okay, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to holler at you. Now, would you please just tell me no matter what it is?"

"The day after tomorrow they'll be testing for lupus and leukemia."

"WHAT? Are you kidding me?"

"I only wish, Nick."

"No, no, this can't be happening!"

"Shh..." Bob Carter soothed. "Take it easy, son."

Nick brushed away his tears angrily. "Where's Leslie?"

"She's in bed."

"Is she okay? I mean, is she handling this okay?"

"She...she could be better."

"I gotta' go, Dad," Nick said quickly indesperation to get off the phone. "I love you."

"I love you, too. You take it easy, you hear me?"

"Yeah, I hear you, Dad. Bye." After finishing his sentence Nick tossed the cell phone to the ground as he began punching the wall in frustation. "WHY? DAMNIT, WHY HER?!!" He hollered as his fists scraped against the surface in tight strokes. "IT'S NOT FAIR!" he shouted still fighting.

"Nick? What the hell are you doing?" AJ gasped rushing into the dressing room of his bandmate.

"IT'S ALL BULLSHIT! SHE'S FINE!" the younger man declared as his skin began turning a deep crimson from his outlashing activity.

"GUYS! GET IN HERE!" AJ demanded to his bandmates as he attempted to stop Nick.

"GET THE HELL OFF ME!" the blonde screamed pushing the small man aside.

"Nick, stop it!" Brian pleaded running in with Kevin and Howie at his side.

Howie's eyes widened. "Nick, just calm down."

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Kevin shouted restraining Nick with Howie's assistance.

"SHE'S SICK!" Nick proclaimed hot tears strolling down his face.

"Who's sick?" Howie asked releasing his grip as Kevin held Nick steady.

"Leslie!" Nick croaked his knees collasping.

Kevin supported him setting him in a chair. He patted trembling his knee. "What's going on?"

"She got s-sick during the summer she toured with All That..she got too exhuasted and it made her weak, and she never really did get b-better. At C-Christmas, she was sick. I-I thought it was mono, or the flu or somethin', ya know? I never thought this!" he stammered struggling to catch his breath.

Brian frowned. "Never thought of what?"

Nick's lips quivered his breaths coming in quick gasps. "L-L"

"Shh...just calm down," Howie instructed taking a seat beside him. "You're gonna' hyperventilate. Lean over and put your head to knees before you pass out on us. You won't do anyone any good if you end in the hospital yourself."

Nick wiped away his tears taking a deep breath. "Leslie is getting tested for leukemia and lupus in a few days."

"Oh, God," AJ sighed taking a seat. "Is it just a precaution?"

The blonde shook his head. "No, this is the pretty close. It's-it's-" his voice broke off tears casading down his cheeks. "I'm sorry I'm cryin'."

"Don't be sorry!" Brian replied holding Nick's sobbing form in his arms. "It's okay to let it out."

"When are the tests?" Kevin asked his face turning a ghostly shade of white.

"The day after tomorrow," Nick mumbled into Brian's shoulder.

The older member stood walking to the door. "Tonight was the last show of the tour until we go to Europe, I'm gonna' go arrange for you to be with your family as soon as possible."

AJ stared at him. "Are you okay, Kevin? You don't look so good."

"I'll be fine, AJ."

Howie stood following Kevin out the door. "I'll help you."

AJ faced Brian. "What's with those two?"

Brian raised an eyebrow stroking Nick's back. "The subject kinda' hits close to home, don't you think?"

AJ nodded remembering Kevin and Howie had lost family members to both of the given diseases. "Yeah, it does."

"You okay, bud?" Brian whispered pulling away from Nick's grip.

Nick nodded wiping tears away from his flushed face. "I'll be okay."

"You want me to stay with you tonight?"

"No, Bri, you don't have to do that. I mean, your wife's here. You should be spendin' time with her."

AJ patted Nick's leg. "Don't worry, Rok, I'll stay with him. It's all be okay."

"Yeah, it's all gonna' be okay," Nick repeated. He drew in a deep breath. "It has to be okay."

Chapter 21