"Fellas, we have a problem...." Kevin said, planting himself onto his couch. He looked around his modest living room, commiting to memory each and every dismal expression the other guys wore. As the unofficial "leader" of the Backstreet Boys, Kevin found it to be up to announce an informal meeting.

"I'm sure we all have a good feeling what this is about," Howie said, his normal lively brown eyes were dull now.

AJ sat next to Kevin, twisting and untwisting the cap to his water bottle, and Nick sat on the floor, Indian style, his hands in prayer form, resting against his mouth. No one was happy.

"We need to decide what we're going to do about all of these rumors that are floating around in limbo," Kevin said slowly and carefully, smoothing out an invisible wrinkle in his pants.

"People think what they want Kevvy," Nick said evenly.

"I agree with Nicky," said AJ. "People who want to think bad things about us will...our loyal fans, the ones who count, will stand by us."

"But Bone...what does that matter when, like Lou says, it's effecting our record sales?" asked Kevin.

"Man, that's the least of our problems. Why do record sales matter? What's important is that there is an entire new slew of people out there who are ready to bash us!" Brian added.

"Maybe after the Disney concert we can do a charity event....to make us look better," Howie suggested.

Nick snorted "D...that's gay and you know it! It'll look so fake..."

Howie shrugged in response.

"What ever happened to that reporter chick's article?" asked AJ.

Angrily, Nick grabbed the newspaper off of the coffeetable and flipped toward the back. He pointed to a small section in the rear of the paper, where Debbie's atricle had been strategically placed. Nick then tossed it down again.

Howie whistled "gee...ya think she's redeemed herself?" Howie asked sarcastically.

"I wish the entire tabloid empire would....would......blow up!" Nick said after searching for the proper words to vent with.

"Well," Kevin said frankly "that's not gonna happen anytime soon fellas. I just think we all need to keep our eyes open ok? Be careful because there are people out there watching our every move...just looking for dirt on us."

Chapter 9