AJ sat straight up in his bed in the hotel room he shared with his best friend, Howie. He wiped his sweat drenched brow and looked at the digital clock next to his bed. It read 3:09am. He flopped back on the bed and sighed heavily. Howie turned over in bed and squinted towards AJ's bed.

"You had that dream again, didn't you?" he asked rubbing his eyes. It was a nightly occurrence for his friend now. He would have the same dreams over and over again, just like his grandfather had had long ago. It was about a year ago when AJ had first dreamt about this beautiful lovely woman. They were always doing something or hang out together. It was never anything sexual but it always ended the same way, she always told him that she loved him.

"No, D, just go back to sleep."

"I can't sleep with you tossing, turning and sighing. So was it like the other ones?" asked Howie sitting up and flipping on a light.

AJ sighed knowing he was caught "This one we were on a beach and just holding hands and being together. God, D why can I find this girl?"

"I have to break this to you, Bone, but you may never find her."

"What do you mean?" he asked confused.

"She may not be an actual girl that you can find. Did you ever think that she's just a dream girl?"

"No I didn't because I just know that she's out there, I can feel it. You don't dream about the same person for almost a year and not know things. I know that you are just trying to help and I appreciate it but you don't understand," said AJ softly.

"You're right, AJ. I don't understand. I've never dreamt about the same person for a year. I'm just trying," said Howie leaning back on his headboard.

"Thanks," said AJ getting up and slipping on jeans and a T-shirt "I'm going to take a walk. I figure since we are in beautiful Cancun, Mexico for this spring break deal why not take advantage."

"OK, but be careful. Your mom would beat me senseless if she knew I let you go out alone at 3 in the morning," said Howie getting ready to go back to bed as AJ walked out.

"Hello and welcome back to Say What Karaoke-Cancun Style," stated Carson Daly as the show came back from commercial. AJ sat on a stool along with his four other band mates. Along with performing they had agreed to judge the karaoke competition. He looked out over the audience and saw dozens of girls he could fall for. The girls would smile, wink, and blow kisses but AJ was totally uninterested. Usually he would have been eating all the attention up but he couldn't get his dream girl out of his mind. He had to find her if it was the last thing he did. Kevin nudged him bringing him out of his thoughts.

"What?" he whispered to Kevin.

"Start paying attention. You're not being a very good judge," Kevin scolded as AJ chuckled to himself.

"Yes, Dad."

"Please welcome to the stage, a senior at the University of Kentucky, Anissa Kingston," said Carson as a beautiful woman stepped onto the stage. AJ eyes bugged out of his head and his mouth dropped open.

"It's her," he whispered. His dream girl stood on the stage with her long red hair hanging loosely down to the middle of her back. She was about his height and had a smile that could make you melt. She had on a yellow bikini top with a pair of blue jean cutoffs showing off her great hourglass figure and amazingly tanned skin.

"What did you say?" asked Howie hearing AJ's little admission.

"It's her, the girl from my dreams," he replied still staring at the beauty. She stood next to Carson and smiled brightly.

"Hey what's up?" she asked throwing the audience into a frenzy.

"How's life in Kentucky?" asked Carson

"Oh it's great and I love my Wildcats but Cancun is so much better," she said sweetly as the crowd cheered.

"So you're a senior, excited to graduate?" asked Carson.

'Duh!' AJ thought 'She's graduating, what do you think?'

"Duh, Carson, I'm graduating, what do you think?" she asked

"No way!" said AJ getting a weird look from all the guys, not just Howie.

"I'm guessing you are excited."

"Totally!" she exclaimed.

"What's your major?"

"Public Relations with a emphasis in entertainment. I'm actually moving to Florida after graduation to start a PR job," she said beaming. She looked so happy and content.

"So what are you going to be singing for us?"

"Well I'm an old school kind of girl so I've gotta sing my favorite surf and sun song-'He's a rebel,'" she replied.

'This is just too much to be coincidental,' thought AJ. It was like she was up there just for him, singing just for him, talking just to him. It was clear to AJ the minute she walked on stage they were meant to be.

"Why is that your favorite surf and sun song?" questioned Carson.

"Well I'm kind of attracted to that whole tough guy exterior. He's gotta be a big sweetheart underneath it all though. I don't know, there is just something about a bad boy that I like and this song is just perfect," she stated.

"Alright, then sing it. Ladies and Fellas, give it up for Anissa singing 'He's a Rebel.'"

As she started singing, her voice was incredible. It actually reminded him of his own voice. It was sultry and soulful. She just exuded attitude as she sang and AJ felt as if she was singing straight to him. When she started the chorus, their eyes locked. He felt this electricity and chemistry between them and knew he had to meet her. She kept the eye contact with him until the chorus ended. She gave him a little wink as she moved on and he knew that she had felt the electricity and chemistry too.

Later after the show was over, AJ made his way around backstage searching for Anissa. Just when he was ready to give up he saw her round a corner and walk towards him. She smiled as she passed by and gave a wink.

"Hey Anissa," said AJ jogging after her.

"Hi," she said stopping.

"I'm AJ. I was one of the judges tonight. I just wanted to say how amazing your voice is."

"Oh thanks. That's sweet of you to say. It actually means a lot coming from someone professional like you," she stated smiling a beautiful grin.

"You have a voice that's a lot like mine. If you want I could give you some pointers on how to sound better," said AJ rubbing the hem of his shirt between his fingers.

"Um...actually I'm really not that interested in singing professionally."

"You should be. You blew those people away and they totally loved you. You've got a great stage presence," said AJ trying to convince her of her awesome talent.

"Really? You think?" she asked as AJ nodded "OK, what do I have to lose? Why don't you meet me at the Coconut Grove tonight at 7. We can practice there," she said sweetly playing with the belt loops on her shorts.

"OK, see ya tonight. Wait, here's my number in case anything changes," replied AJ kissing her hand and bouncing off leaving Anissa staring after him.

Anissa scanned the club for AJ. She checked her watch again. It read 7:15.

"Where are you," she whispered starting to get the feeling she was being stood up.

Suddenly a bouquet of two or three daisies appeared in front of her face.

"Miss me?" asked the voice as Anissa turned around and saw AJ. She giggled softly taking the flowers from him.

"How did you know these were my favorite flower?" she asked sniffing the petals.

"It's a long story," he replied cautiously "Anyway, sorry I was late. I had to convince my mom that I would be OK tonight without any bodyguards."

"It's OK. I was watching these fools try and sing while they are half drunk. I find it actually quite amusing," she replied turning her attention back to the stage.

"Well how about you and I show them how it's done. Let's sing something."

"AJ," she said exasperated "I thought we were going to practice?"

"Come on, you could seriously out sing me! Now let's show 'em how it's done," he stated pulling her up to the stage.

"Aren't people going to recognize you?" she asked as he dragged her through the crowd of drunk 20 year-olds.

"This is your first lesson-spontaneity. You gotta learn to be unpredictable." he replied ignoring her question as he popped onto the stage.

The two sang a fun duet- 'Love is Strange' by Mickey and Sylvia and the crowd loved every minute of it. The two jumped off the stage and AJ took Anissa towards the bar.

"I'll have a rum and coke and a banana daiquiri," said AJ showing the bartender his ID.

"How did you know I liked Banana Daiquiris?" she asked with a skeptical look.

"There are a lot of things I know about you, Ani," he said as he handed her the drink and grabbed his own. He led the two of them out of the club and down to the beach. It was starting to get dark and AJ plopped down in the sand patting a seat next to him. Anissa sat down and scanned the ocean occasionally staring at AJ.

"So how do you know all this stuff about me? No offense but it's a little creepy," she said quietly.

"If I told you it would just freak you out even more but don't worry I'm not like some crazy stalker or something."

"Tell me, I wanna know," she pushed.

"I dream about you. Not someone like you, you," he stated. Anissa just looked at him with a shocked look on her face.

"You, AJ McLean, dream about me?"

"Well I didn't know it was you when I was having the dreams. All I knew is that you were the one. When I saw you on that stage singing, I knew it. See my grandfather had these dreams about my grandmother before he met her. He always said the minute he saw her he knew she was his one. Now I know how he felt," finished AJ.

"That has got to be the sweetest thing anyone ever said to me. And it doesn't freak me out," she commented getting up "Walk with me, J."

AJ got up and him and Anissa strolled down the beach talking and sipping their drinks. The talked about stupid little stuff like why Kentucky lost in the final four and why Rhode Island is called Rhode Island when it's neither a road nor an island. They also talked about their families. Anissa was also a very spoiled only child who is very close with her mother. Like AJ, she had also done some pretty dumb things in her life was glad that her life had turned around. She was excited to be graduating and had a job with Busch Gardens waiting for her. The more AJ talked with her, the more it became clear that this was his other piece. The part of his life that was missing. That is until the word boyfriend spilled out of her mouth.

"Whoa, back up. You have a boyfriend?" he asked.

"Yeah, I know and I'm sorry, I should have told you sooner. The subject just never really came up but it's not like Christian and I are serious or anything. He's back in Kentucky working over Spring Break," she finished.

"So you're not that serious?" he asked a little more anxious than he wanted.

"Not really. I think Christian wants more but I'm not sure if I do."

"Why not?"

"I know he's not my one. He's not the guy that fits me," she stated.

"Well if he's not, do you have some idea as to who it may be?" he asked looking into her blazing emerald eyes.

"Maybe," she replied as they continued to walk down the beach. Nothing was said after that as they walked. Anissa grabbed AJ's hand as they walked and she looked at him and smiled. They walked that way until AJ stopped them.

"Watch. This is my favorite part, when the sun sets right into the ocean," he said stepping closer to Anissa and whispering in her ear "Nothing is more perfect than that well with the exception on you."

Anissa turned her head to find that AJ's hadn't moved. She brought a hand up to his cheek as they lightly kissed. The moment their lips touched, electricity bolted through each of them. With that one kiss, feelings were explained and questions answered. Anissa still had her eyes closed when AJ pulled away to look at her.

"You're beautiful," he whispered as she opened her eyes. His intense gaze held her tight and she knew that this was more right than anything could ever be. She wondered how she could of gone so long without his touch, his voice, his kiss. She slipped her arms around his neck and drew him closer, kissing him urgently.

During the week AJ and Anissa spent every minute they could together. The went on island cruises, horseback riding, shelling, clubbing, and just hanging out together. The more time they spent together the closer they got. Anissa had even met the rest of the guys and his mom. They hadn't talked about what would happen when they left but it's not exactly like they wanted to think about it.

The two had spent the night before partying and AJ opened his eyes to find the ocean before him. He and Anissa had snuck into someone's cabana to get some sleep. He didn't want to leave her not ever. He watched her as she slept. Her head rest on his chest. She told him she loved to listen to his heart beat. It was soothing she had said. He took her hand off his tummy and intertwined his fingers with her. This was it, he had finally found her and never wanted to let her out of his site.

"Morning," she said snuggling closer to his warm body.

"Marry me," he blurted out.

"What?" she asked sitting up.

"Marry Me, Anissa. You know it and I know it, we belong together. I feel the connection and I know you do too. Why drag out the inevitable?"

"AJ, I would love to be spontaneous and just marry you because yes I do know we belong together but we can't."

"Why not?" he asked hurt.

"Because you aren't just some average guy off the street. You're AJ McLean, Backstreet Boy extrodianiare. You have four other lives that you are affecting not to mention all of your fans. And as much as we'd like to forget and pretend that you aren't that person, we can't. AJ, we are going to be together forever-why rush the inevitable?" she posed back. AJ sighed knowing she was right. He loved his fans and couldn't hurt them. It would kill them enough when they finally did decide to take the vows.

"How lucky am I to get you?" he asked pulling her into a hug.

"Pretty damn lucky," she said giggling.

"Come on, we gotta get going-my mom and Howie are going to kick my ass."

"Me too. Meet you back here at 2pm?" she asked.

"Not a moment later," he said kissing her full red lips and bouncing off.

Anissa walked up to her room and rubbed her eyes. She opened the door to her villa and stepped in. The sight before her made her almost fall over dead. "Christian?"

"D, you wouldn't believe it. We have so much in common and she's so perfect for me. I never thought I could find her but I did," rambled AJ.

"We're leaving, AJ." stated Howie breaking the news right away. As long as he had know AJ, he had never seen him so excited about a girl. He was usually Mr. Cool around women but now he just seemed so out of control.

"We're what?"

"Leaving. We got booked on some talk shows and we are making our rounds at the teen mags," replied Howie sadly.

"You gotta be kidding me! I can't leave her, I just met her," exclaimed AJ.

"I've never seen you like this AJ and I know you've dreamt about this girl for like a year but this is your job. This is what you do. If she's really your one and only, she'll understand," said Howie packing up the rest of his stuff. AJ stared at his friend solemnly knowing that he was right.

"Fine. Let me pack up and say good-bye to her," said AJ throwing his stuff into a duffel bag.

"I don't get it. What are you doing here?" she asked as he hugged her tightly.

"Well I thought we could spend the rest of spring break together. I know it's not that long but it will be a few days at least," stated Christian excitedly. Anissa gave him a dispirited look and sat down on her bed. "What?"

"Christian, it's really sweet that you came down here and everything but-"

"-I shouldn't have come. I lost you didn't I?" he asked softly sitting next to her.

"It's not your fault. The times we shared were fun and I loved every minute I spent with you but I found my one," she said turning to him.

"I knew before you left that things were slipping away. I guess I was hoping to come down here and ignite the fire again. I was a little late huh?"

"I'm sorry. He's really sweet and you'd like him. Things between you and I were great but in our hearts we both knew that we'd be nothing more than friends," she said slinging an arm around his shoulder "I still care about you, Chris."

"You'll always be my sweet baby Nissa," he said hugging her. She caught a glimpse of her watch and saw that it was almost 2.

"I gotta go. I told AJ I'd meet him at 2."

"Have fun. Can we still hang while I'm here?" he asked breaking the hug.

"Oh of course but I gotta go! See ya," and out the door she went.

"Where do you think your going?" asked AJ's mom, Denise.

"I'm going to say good-bye to Anissa. I told her I'd meet her on the beach at 2."

"AJ you can't. The shuttle to the airport leaves in five minutes," she said quietly. She knew her son cared about this woman more than any woman he had ever dated.

"Mom, I have to. I can't just leave her and not explain," he said angrily.

"I'm sorry, sweetie, but it's not possible. Our flight leaves at three and we have to get going now. You can call her when we get to the states and tell her what happened," AJ shook his head no to her and she sighed. Boy could he be stubborn. "Look AJ I know you like her and have this strange cosmic bond with her that I will never understand but please you have to go and if I have to drag you kicking and screaming I will."

"Fine, then let's go before I decide to run away and never come back," he stated abruptly through clenched teeth

"AJ, come on, where are you?" asked Anissa staring at her watch. It read 2:30pm. She hailed a taxi and caught it over to AJ's hotel. She walked in and up to the front desk.

"Welcome to the Hyatt Cancun. Can I help you?" Anissa read his name tag and smiled.

"Paul, I need to know what room Mr. James McDonalds is in."

"Mr. McDonalds checked out, Miss. He caught the airport shuttle out about a half hour ago," stated Paul.

"He's at the airport???" she asked wildly.

"Yes, Ma'am," he replied as she bolted from the hotel.

"Flight 694 non stop to Los Angeles is will begin boarding. We ask that all handicapped passengers, children flying alone, and our first class passengers please board now," AJ closed his eyes as the rest of the guys got up to board.

"I'm sorry, J. You know how I hate leaving Leighanne," Brian commented trying to give his friend some sympathy. AJ adjusted his baseball cap got up and dug through his bag for his ticket.

"This isn't fair," he whispered.

"I know, honey, but Anissa will understand. She's wonderful that way," smiled his mother. But that didn't lessen the pain one bit.

"Let's see," started Anissa talking to herself "He's going to LA. What flight leaves like now for LA."

Anissa paged through the flights and found one flashing 'Now Boarding.' Her eyes got big and she dashed off the gate G4. 'I'm coming J,' she thought.

Anissa ran up as a blonde woman was sorting through the boarding passes.

"Is this the gate for flight 694?" she asked.

"Yes it is but I'm afraid you're too late. The plane has left," stated the attendant.

"What do you mean it left?" yelled Anissa to the perky gal behind the desk.

"The flight was scheduled to leave at 3pm, Miss. If you missed your flight-"

"I didn't miss my flight, but my whole world was on that plane," said Anissa dejectedly as she cried freely. She didn't care who saw as she sobbed onto the counter.

"Don't be so sure," a raspy voice said behind her.

"AJ?" she asked turning around and seeing him standing there.

"The one and only," he said holding out his arms as she jumped into them.

"I thought you left," she said into his shoulder.

"I almost did but I couldn't. Not without seeing you one last time," he stated kissing her softly. "I'm catching the next flight though and I want you to come with me."

"What?" she questioned softly.

"Come with me to LA. I mean it, Ani, I need you."

"AJ, I don't know. I mean I have to go back to school in a couple of days," she said calmly.

"In a couple of days but until then stay with me. Please, Anissa," he begged. She gave him a skeptical look and her beautiful features softened.

"OK, but I have to go back to school after that," she stated sternly.

"I know. Your education is more important to me that anything. You are more important to me than anything," he said leaning in and giving her an enthusiastic and fiery kiss.

"How did I live without you for so long?" she asked looking into his expressive chocolate brown eyes.

"I don't know but one thing is for sure, I'm not going to live without you anymore. Come on, we've got another ticket to buy," he stated grabbing her around the waist and walking off.