Part 372
Nick was so quiet that Becca suspected he had dozed off. He hadn't moved in a while, and his breathing had become more calm and even. She was about to say something when a soft knock sounded on the dressing room door.
"Nick-" Becca whispered.
The knocking came again, just a little louder.
"Nick-" Becca tried again.
"Ignore them," Nick mumbled. "Maybe they'll go away."
"I can't, Nick, it's almost time for the meeting." As the knocking sounded once more, Becca called out, "Come in."
"Hey," said Fiona, bumping open the door with her hip. "I thought you two should have some-" One look at Nick with his head in Becca's lap and she stopped dead in her tracks and blushed. "Oh, I’m … I'm sorry. I'm interrupting. I just thought … and Sarah said…"
"It's ok, Fi, come on in." Becca smiled softly and pushed at Nick to make him sit up. "What did Sarah say?"
"She … umm … she fixed a plate for Nick. She was going to bring it herself, but they want to start the meeting in a few minutes."
"She fixed my plate?" Nick said with a smirk. "Did you taste it first? She might have poisoned it."
Becca slapped his arm. "Nick, that's not even funny."
"She was on her way to the door, Nick, but Howie stopped her. I said I'd bring it because I-" she stopped to take a deep breath.
"Because why?" Becca asked gently.
"I wanted to talk to you, Becca."
"Fiona, this can wait till later, really." Becca glanced at Nick who was studying his plate with no enthusiasm whatsoever.
"No, Becca, it can't," she sighed. "I wanted to talk to you alone, but I guess it's good that Nick's here, too." She stopped, looking down at her fingers, which were twisting nervously together. "I want to apologize, to both of you."
Nick looked up, saw the heat flooding Fiona's face and looked over at Becca.
"Go on," Becca said.
"I don't know what I was thinking, but I was totally out of line. I took this job and it was a dream come true for me. Travel, performing, the lights, the crowds, my favorite band…" She sighed and looked up at Becca. "I was out of control. Somehow I thought all this wasn't connected to the real world, you know? I was living out the ultimate fantasy, but in reality all I was doing was making a fool out of myself."
"Then why did you do it?" Nick asked, not even bothering to pretend he didn't know what she was talking about.
"Stupidity?" she answered with a snort of self-derision. "Who knows, Nick. All I know is that I made it impossible for you to do your job and pissed off a lot of people in the process. I've pretty much ruined my reputation now, so if it helps, I probably won't be putting any other bands in danger any time soon."
"Fiona, why do you say that?" Becca frowned.
"I can't stay here, Becca. I've disgraced myself and thrown myself at another woman's husband. Nick has every right to press charges for sexual harassment."
Nick looked up sharply. "You're serious, aren't you?"
"I wouldn't blame any of you if you hated me," she said with a shrug of her shoulders. "Especially, you, Becca. You were nothing but sweet and nice to me, and look how I repaid you."
Becca sighed. "I won't pretend that I wasn't upset when I heard what you'd done."
Nick grinned. "Upset? Bec, Heidi has your bail money all set aside."
"Never mind," Becca said as Fiona's eyes got wider and wider. "Okay, so I was furious. Even if Nick weren’t famous I'd still feel the same way, Fiona. I love Nick very much. When we got married, we took our vows very seriously and to have some stranger come in and …" Her voice was rising and probably her blood pressure, too.
"Bec-" Nick sat beside her, pulling her close and breaking her tirade before it could get started.
"I'm sorry," Becca began, only to be interrupted by Fiona.
"You're sorry?" she laughed. "I'm the one who's apologizing for feeling up YOUR husband. Please," she laughed again.
"Look, you were there when Sarah needed you tonight and in my eyes that makes up for a lot. And the fact that you came to us tonight, well, I know that wasn't easy."
"I don't have any plans to press charges, either," Nick said. "Just don't-"
Fiona held her hands up. "Not to worry. I promise to stay ten paces away at all times."
"And don't quit the tour, Fi," Becca said. "You're very good at what you do and this tour has had enough problems. Please?"
"I'll give it some more thought." Looking down at her watch, she jumped up. "Damn, the meeting has already started. I need to go. And so do you."
Nick sighed. "I dunno…"
"Come on Nick, let's go see what this is all about." Becca stood and took his hand as Fiona reached for Garrett.
"May I?" she asked. "That way the two of you can be together. You know, a united front."
"That's a great idea, Fi. Thank you." Becca bent to place the sleeping infant in his carrier and smiled when Fiona spoke.
"You're a very lucky man, Nick, to have Becca on your side."
"I think so," he smiled.
"Anyone that can take on Kevin Richardson and live to tell about it…" she laughed, enjoying the look on Nick and Becca's faces.
Nick shot Becca a questioning look.
"Later, blondie, it's a long story. Come on." Becca took his hand and led him down the hall toward the meeting room where everyone else was already gathered.