"Please make sure you are in your seat and your safety belt is fastened. We will be landing in 15 minutes. This is flight 780 St. Louis, Missouri to Tampa, Florida." She sighed and placed her headphones back on her ears and drifted away with the music once again.

She drove down the familiar road as if in a trance. As soon as she came upon the not so unusual estate, her breath caught in her throat. The air was thick and the early morning sun could just barely be seen. This wasn't the first time she had made the long flight from her home to his in the wee morning hours. Whenever he had some down time it got worse. Sitting around all day got to him the worst. The other four guys had someone to run to but he didn't have anyone. Yeah sure he had a girlfriend, but she could never understand. She was new at the whole Backstreet Thing. And of course he wanted her to help him, but inside he knew she couldn't. He had nothing. Just a big cold house. And some alcohol.

She walked slowly up the stairs knowing he had been asleep for a while now. She never wished to wake him, but sometimes... Oh the sight was not in any way shape or form glamorous. She walked into his room and surprisingly enough he was not in his bed. It was made and he was nowhere in sight.
"Alex," she whispered walking into her unofficial "bed room." She couldn't hold back a startled cry as she stumbled upon his almost lifeless figure. "ALEX!" She rushed over to one side of the queen sized bed.
"Hey," he murmured rolling over off his stomach and wiping the tears from his cheeks.
"Dear lord Alex! You scared me to death!" Candice gasped sitting down next to her friend.
"Sorry," he whispered flashing her a half smile. "Didn't dress to impress eh?" He grinned looking at her outfit. She wore worn-out jeans and a Cardinals T-shirt; she took it from her brother, so it was four sizes too big.
"Never J. You aren't THAT special." She grinned as he sat up indian style facing her.
"Hug me Candice." Before he knew it her arms were wrapped tightly around his small frame. He laid his head on her shirt and his tears soon began to soak her shirt. The sobs almost seemed too big to be coming from his small frame.
"It's ok Alex. I'm here for you now. I promise. It is ok J." She patted his back and kissed the top of his head, knowing how much he just needed to feel loved and be hugged right at that moment. She did too.

"Wow," Candice murmured gazing out the widow of what had to be the most magnificent homes she'd laid her eyes on.
"I know," she smiled sweetly. "I fell in love with this house from the moment I saw that view in the master bedroom." Candice smiled up at her sweetly. Kristin had to be the most genuine person she had ever met and of course you wouldn't expect anything less from Kevin Richardson's wife.
Kevin walked into the dining room grinning. "Hey Candice. Oh! Kris I've got the best news!" He smiled pulling his wife into his arms. "Tim is going to make it for dinner next week." If you had just glanced at the couple you would have never guessed that they had any money, much less millions. They led a very simple life and you could just see how much each cared for the other. Kevin was amazingly down to earth and censure and Kristin was just naturally kind hearted. Candice stood and watched in amazement as Kristin took her husbands hand and kissed his cheek.

"So, Candice what brings you to California. I didn't expect to see you until August. Kevin's green eyes burned into Candice's. She was afraid he could see how much concern she held for him and BSB. She couldn't lie to that man, not now. Not ever.
"I'm worried. After this tour, then what's next? I mean Alex..what if he doesn't want to be AJ from Backstreet anymore? Kevin I'm soo scared." Candice whispered. "Nick has a new girlfriend, so does Alex but he's never happy anymore..he still calls me everyday. And with him in rehab..I mean what happens after that eh? Brian wants a family. Kevin I'm worried." Kristin had quietly stepped out the room as Candice released all the weight on her shoulders. She was nearly in tears when she finished talking and almost mouthing the words she was speaking so quietly. Kevin looked down at what was almost like his little sister and sighed.
"Candice. Shhh." Kevin whispered touching the young women's face. "Sweetheart. Nick is free and happy, he's fine. Brian wants a career as well as a family, as do I. I love BSB with all my heart and soul. I know you are worried, but it's not about us. You're scared that if Backstreet moves on--we'll leave you alone and that scares the hell out of you. You love Nick. You always have and will, Nick just can't see how much he loves you. It confuses him, he's never been in true love, you are his soul mate and that scares both of you." Candice's mouth fell open half way through Kevin's speech. This man was good. Everyone single word he spoke rang true for Candice. "C'mere and give me a hug." Kevin held his arms open as she hurled her small frame into his arms.
"I do Kevin. I miss him so much it hurts. Sometimes I think it hurts more to love that man then to hate him for not loving me in return. "Kevin I know I already asked you this, but Kev I just have to know how this will end." She pleaded with his eyes. "Please."

Kevin smiled down at the now trembling figure in his arms. "I'll promise you something right now." Her eyes suddenly stopped spilling out tears and he continued, "when we play St. Louis on the second leg, or whenever Alex gets better. I promise Nick will be at your house the day of the concert and I promise you that you will see love in that boys eyes." Candice smiled up at Kevin and began to step away from his slowly.
"Now scedattle child, get yourself home and stay there."
"Love you too Kevin." Candice kissed his cheek and waved at him as she made her way out of his house. Kristin walked into the room and sat on her husbands lap. "They are going to be all right Kevin, aren't they?" She smiled up at him.
"Yeah Kris. They are going to be just fine." He kissed his wife's forehead and sighed. Nick was sure growing up.