Part 330

Garrett was sleeping soundly when Nick finally made it out to the bus, and the mood he was in it was a wonder he didn't wake everyone in a twenty-mile radius. He tossed his jacket on the dining table, muttering a string of curses that would make a sailor blush.

Becca winced as he slammed the door to the bathroom and counted down till the next explosion. It didn't take long.

"Fuck," he spat, kicking a pillow that he'd knocked on the floor on his way through the first time.

"Can I fix you something to eat?" Becca asked calmly, looking up from her email. She knew whatever it was wasn't her fault, and that sooner or later he'd tell her about it.

Nick looked around, seeing Becca for the first time. "No," he said shortly. "Thank you," he added when he caught the look on her face and her raised eyebrows. Shit, she'd been a mom for two damn weeks and she already had the 'look' perfected. GT was in serious trouble.

"How was the show?"

That was it, the catalyst that set him off once again.

"I can't fucking believe it, Bec. On the stage, right on the fucking stage, she did it again."

"Fiona?" Becca had no doubt whom he was talking about. From what Sarah had said, and by putting two and two together, she'd already figured out what Nick wanted to talk to her about.

"She's Kevin's partner, right? So why the hell was she all over ME tonight? Every damn time I turned around she was there, right in my face, and I couldn't do a damn thing about it."

"Did Kevin say anything?" Becca closed the laptop and moved to wrap her arms around him. She didn't like it when he got this bent out of shape.

"Not then, but he will. He wasn't happy either. Thank God Sarah wasn't there, or we'd be looking for ANOTHER dancer."

"It's that bad?" Becca frowned. It wasn't that she didn't believe Sarah, but she'd figured some harmless flirting wasn't anything much to worry about.

Nick's anger was suddenly deflated. He sagged visibly and ran his hands through his hair. His eyes were dull, and Becca reached up to smooth the 'worry' lines on his forehead.

"Come sit down, let me make you something to drink." Becca filled a glass with ice and poured him a soda.

"Sorry, Bec. You don't need to hear all this." Nick reached for her hand and pulled her down into his lap.

"Yes I do, we're in this together, Nick. Tell me what's been going on."

Nick sighed, laid his head against Becca and began to tell her all that had happened since Fiona had joined them in Montreal. The more details he shared, the more steamed Becca became. "And then tonight, during the show, every time I moved she was there, Bec. She has this sick need to feel me up in front of other people."

"Not for long." Becca spoke very softly, so softly that Nick almost didn't hear her.

"What?"

"You won't have to worry about her any more, Nick," she said sweetly.

"Why not?"

"Because I'm going to KILL her."

Becca pushed herself off of Nick's lap and began to pace the aisle of the bus. "You know, I thought it was cute when Sarah told me about it earlier. I was even a little flattered. It's kind of a kick knowing that my husband is wanted and desired by millions of women-"

"Millions?" Nick asked with a grin.

"This isn't funny, Nick. She touched you. She TOUCHED you?! How far will she take it the next time? You can sue her, Nick. Sexual harassment. I'll talk to Heidi for you."

"Your lawyer? What does Heidi have to do with this?"

Becca looked at him patiently. "She can handle the lawsuit, Nick, of course."

"Of course…" Nick said, meekly agreeing with her. All those things about a woman scorned? That was nothing compared to a woman whose man had been messed with by another woman.

"And if that doesn’t work," she continued matter-of-factly, "Heidi can get me off when I KILL her."

Nick held back his laughter as Becca trembled with indignation. Somehow he just knew that Fiona wouldn't be a problem anymore. Impulsively he pulled her down across his lap and kissed her until he could feel her anger begin to melt away. She melted against him, and he heard the tell-tale sounds she always made when they were making love. Hell, it might be four more weeks until they could have sex, but there was nothing in the rules against having a little fun in the meantime. Becca's fingers were tangled in his hair, and Nick's hands were underneath her shirt, caressing her bare back when Garrett began to cry and a loud knock sounded on the door of the bus.


Nick groaned, "If this is how Howie and Sarah feel when I interrupt them, I owe them a HUGE apology."

Becca laughed, "I’ll get Garrett. You go see who’s at the door."

Opening the door, Nick was greeted by Howie. Grinning because he knew he’d interrupted something, Howie said, "Hey! Payback’s a bitch, isn’t it? You WERE busy, weren’t you?"

"I was only trying to make out with my wife. What’s up?"

"Look, I got the DLF jet here to fly us to LA. Didn’t you say something about going to see your parents?"

"Yeah, we’ve got a flight tomorrow morning."

"Why don’t you cancel your tickets, get your money back, and go with us?"

"Are you sure, D?"

"Positive. It’ll make Sarah feel better."

"She nervous about flying?"

Howie laughed, "I don’t think there are enough sedatives on the planet to get her calm enough to get on a commercial flight."

"Come on. Let me tell Bec. It would be so much easier to deal with GT this way," said Nick as the two headed to the living area of the bus.

Looking up, Becca greeted Howie. "I thought you’d be gone by now. Didn’t you have a midnight flight?"

"I changed our plans to calm Sarah’s nerves."

"She never said anything to me. Is she okay?"

"She’s fine and you know her. She’s NOT gonna say anything. I’ve got the foundation’s jet and thought you’d like to join us."

Gratefully, Becca said, "It’s perfect, Howie. Thank you. This way, we don’t have to have Garrett around any more strangers than necessary."

"How long will it take you to get ready?"

"We’re already packed," said Nick.

"Let me go gather Sarah and Jesse and we’ll get going then."

"Howie, aren’t you going to be working with the CD and video for the next two days?" asked Becca.

"Yeah. Why?"

"Well, why don’t you let us take Jesse with us to Jane and Bob’s? It’s the least we could do since you’ve offered to let us travel with you."

"Are you sure? I mean, after today, I’m not sure I want to travel with her," laughed Howie.

"She was just jealous and feeling neglected, Howie. She’s been the center of attention for the last month and now she’s not. And yes, I’m sure."

"Don’t get me wrong, Bec. I understand all that and I love her to death," said Howie explaining. "I’d appreciate you taking her. She’s gonna be bored to death at the studio."

"And Aaron will be there to keep her occupied," said Nick.

"She’ll LOVE that," smiled Howie. "Get ready and I’ll see you in a few."

After Howie left, Becca said, "I’m so glad Howie offered to let us go with them."

"Why’s that, baby?" asked Nick as he went to get their bags.

"Even with the increased security, I’m not real sure I want to fly on a commercial flight either."

Nick came back to where Becca and GT were and saw the look of fear in his wife’s eyes. Deep down, he knew exactly how she felt. He’d never liked flying in the first place and with all that had happened on September 11th, he disliked it even more.

With his family ready, Nick guided Becca out handing the bags over to Billy and they headed to the waiting car. Sarah, Howie, Kevin, AJ, Brian and Jesse were already there and the group piled into the car.

Part 331        The Dance Index(3)