DISCLAIMER: I, nor anyone I know, are personally involved with and/or have the pleasure of personally knowing any of the BSB, their family member bodyguards, etc. This story is completely fiction and was derived completely from my overactive brain. If you have any questions or comments (both are welcome), please e-mail me at pepsichick02@hotmail.com and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
"Hey baby," Katie heard from somewhere around her, but kept walking. Not tonight, please, she thought as she turned into the alley that led to her apartment. She threw a quick look over her shoulder and quickened her step as she neared the complex. "Hey, I'm talking to you," came the voice again. Katie tucked her head down to her chest and kept following her unending path. "How much?" the voice demanded. Katie tried to ignore the rough, phlem-filled voice and reached into her pocket; sighing gratefully as she felt the cold metal against her shaking red fingers. "I said," Katie heard again as someone grabbed her arm and twisted her around, "How much?"
Katie cringed back in pure disgust and utter fright as the dark, dirty man breathed every stank word in her face. "No," she cried, tugging at her arm as so she wouldn't have to be in any physical contact with this beer-drugged animal. The man laughed in her face at her weak attempt to get away. "Ya like it rough, do ya? Well Big Willy'll give it to ya real good then," the man said, licking his already spit-covered lips and eyeing her hungrily. "Let me go!" she cried, silently praying for someone to see her and have the heart to help. But finding anyone like that at 2 in the morning on the dark streets of Orlando was so hopeless it was almost funny to even think about it.
"And what if I don't want to?" the man asked, grinning sickeningly. "Do it anyway," said a deep voice as a dark figure stepped out from the shadows. The grungy man who had ahold of Katie quickly turned around to see who dare challenge his demeaning authority. "I said," the tall dark figure repeated, "Let her go." "Yeah? And who's gonna make me?" the assailant asked, stepping forward; trying to get a better look at the man in the shadows. "No one's gonna have to make ya. You're just gonna take your hands off of the girl and walk away," the man said, now stepping into the light. The short, fat, drunk man looked up at the tall, muscular, stronger one and immediantely took off back towards the streets.
"Are you okay?" the man asked, crouching down to where Katie had sunken to beside the garbage bin and looking into her surprisingly bright green eyes. "I'm fine," she said, standing up and starting to quickly walk away. "Wait," the man said, placing his hand on her arm. She jumped and stopped dead in her tracks at his touch. "Sorry, I just wanted to ask your name," he said. She caught her breath and slowly started to turn around, but decided against it. "Katie," she replied breathily, and without another look ran up one of the tall cases of metal stairs that lead one of the many tiny two-room apartments that she called Home.
"Katie," the man repeated, watching her retreating back as she climbed the stairs and crawled through one of the tiny open windows with dirty white curtains hanging limply in the open that had long ago lost their bright whiteness to the contageous dirt that seemed to cling desperately to the place. "Nice to meet you, Katie," he said quietly as he turned around and headed back in the direction of which he had mysteriously appeared.
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"Hey, AJ, what do we got planned for D's birthday?" Nick asked as he walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bright red, juicy apple from the bottom drawer in the fridge. "You'll see," AJ said, smirking at Nick's obvious annoyance. "Come on AJ, tell me," he whined. "Would you like some cheese to go with that wine?" AJ asked, taking great pleasure in Nick's confused look. "Whatever. AJ, tell me!" Nick continued. "You're too young to know," AJ replied nonchanently. "I am not!" Nick yelled. He hated it when the guys reffered to him as being too young.
"Go ask Kevin," AJ said, quickly growing tired of Nick and his immatureness. Nick gave AJ a dirty look and headed into the living room in search of Kevin. "Kevin, what's planned for D's birthday?" he asked when he saw him sitting in the recliner. Brian and Kevin looked at each other and then at Nick. "What's with all this secrecy? I want to know, and I want to know now!" Nick yelled. "Ssshhh! Howie's right upstairs ya know," Brian said, going to the edge of the stairs to be sure that Howie wasn't coming down to see what all the yelling was about.
"Alright, fine," Brian said, sitting back down on the floor in front of the TV and picking back up the Nintendo64 paddle. "Tell him, Kevin." Kevin sighed and closed the book he was reading and sat it on the coffee table next to him. "Don't get too excited Nick, and don't tell anyone, it's extremely secret!" Kevin warned. Nick sat down on the couch and looked at Kevin with keen interest as he was quietly filled in on the night's plans...
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"Kevin, Bone... anyone home? Bri, Nick?" Howie called as he walked in the front door to come face-to-face with complete silence and the kitchen light being the only one on to greet him. "What the--?" he wondered out loud, throwing his coat on the back of one of the chairs in the kitchen and slowly making his way into the living room. "Let there be light," he said as he reached for the wall switch and light immediantely filled the hot, sticky room.
"SURPRISE!!!" everyone yelled, jumping up from behind chairs, couches, doors and walls with presents in their arms and smiles on their faces. "Happy Birthday, D!" AJ said, giving him a high-five. "Oh, man! Guys, I had no idea!" Howie exclaimed. "Well that's the point of a SURPRISE party, D," Nick said. "You're getting up there man," Kevin said, him and Brian coming out from their hiding places behind two huge potted plants on either side of the fireplace.
The party went on until 3 a.m., when all the other guests had left. "I didn't even know I knew so many people," Howie said, picking up some of the dozens of cups that cluttered the floor. "Who said they were here for you?" AJ asked, giving Howie a just-joking smile. "Yeah, they just wanted the free food and drinks," Brian said, laughing. "Yeah, I guess. But how come I didn't get any gifts from you guys?" Howie asked, receiving four looks from all corners of the room. "Because if we gave you our present while the other guests were here, I'm afraid you wouldn't have a very good image with your fans anymore," Kevin said, sticking out his hand to receive a high-five from AJ.
"What?" Howie asked, confused. Just then the doorbell rang. "Howie my man, your gift has arrived," Brian said, putting his arm around Howie's shoulders and giving him a have-fun look. "We'll get the door. Howie, you just make yourself comfortable," Nick said, following the other guys into the hallway. "What the Hell?" Howie muttered to himself as he plopped down onto the couch. He looked up when he saw the guys enter the room, but didn't see anyone else. "I thought you said--" Howie started, but stopped when the guys stepped aside and he saw who was standing behind them.
"Katie?" Howie said outloud when he saw those familiar bright green eyes. "You know her?" Nick asked, shocked. "Whoo-whoo, Howie's been getting around!" AJ said, receiving three slaps in the back of the head. "What are you doing here?" Howie asked her, ignoring the other guys. "It's your present, man," AJ said, "You've been awfully quiet lately, so we figured you needed a cute female to tend to your... uuummm... physical needs." Again, AJ received three slaps in the back of the head.
"What?" Howie asked, giving AJ a you-better-not-have-done-what-I-think-you've-done look. "Man, we hired you a hooker," AJ said, this time ducking. "Ya'll hit me in the back of the head one more time and I'm gonna open a can of whoopass on you're asses," he said. "She's yours until noon tomorrow and we have other plans, so you have the house all to yourself," Nick said. "Now, if I would of said that, I would of gotten hit!" AJ complained. "AJ, shut up!" Brian and Kevin said at the same time. "See ya tomorrow, D," Brian said, following the other guys out the front door and leaving Howie and his "present" alone.
"I'm sorry," Howie appologized as he heard three vehicles pull away and he knew that what was happening wasn't a joke. "How do you want it?" she asked, setting down her bag and taking off her coat. "I beg your pardon?" Howie asked, taken aback. "I said--" she started. "No, never mind, I heard you," Howie interrupted her, sitting down on the couch and running his hands through his hair. "Um, can we just-- um... talk?" he asked, finally looking up at her.
"Talk?" she asked, as if she'd never heard the word. "Okay, fine, whatever. It's your friends' money," she said, sitting down beside him on the couch. "What-- um... how... why...," Howie stumbled, shifting uneasily. "Look, maybe it'd be better if I just left," Katie said, standing up. "No!" Howie said, grabbing her arm. "Don't go."
Katie closed her eyes and trembled as he let go of her arm. Why am I even here? she thought to herself, I can't believe this is happening. "Are you okay?" he asked, startling her. "Yeah," she whispered, turning around and unexpectedly coming face-to-face with him. "Look, this wasn't my idea. My friends thought it would be funny if they hired a... ummm... a female *cough* as a birthday present for me," Howie said, not realizing how close he was to her. "A female?" she said, looking up at him, "Why don't you just call me what I really am-- a slut, a whore, city street trash, a gutter rat with tits--" Howie cut her off by placing his lips on hers.
"What was that for?" she asked after he pulled away. "To let you know that you're none of those," he said. Katie looked at him with wide, shiny eyes as if she thought he was the biggest liar on the face of the earth. She picked up her bag and coat and walked slowly towards the door. "Where are you going?" he asked, watching every step she took. "Home," she said without turning around.
She placed her hand on the door and turned the knob, only to be stopped by a large hand suddenly covering hers. "What are you doing?" she asked. "You're not going anywhere," Howie said, "Not until I get my moneys worth."
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"Ya think she's gone yet?" Nick asked as him and the rest of the BSB made their way up the walk to their front door. "It's almost 3 in the afternoon, man. If she even stayed, she should of been out of there by noon," AJ said, straightening his sunglasses. "Should we knock?" Brian asked as they reached the door. "I take that as a 'no,'" Kevin said as AJ turned the knob and pushed the door open. They were met with complete silence.
"Hello..." Nick said as they stepped inside and closed the door behind them. "Anybody home?" he continued, still recieving no answer. "Hang on, I think I hear something," Kevin said, walking towards the basement door. As they got closer, they too heard the laughter that Kevin had heard coming from below. "What the Hell?" AJ asked of no one imparticular, opening the door and heading down the stairs.
"Whoo, backup!" AJ said, turning back around when he reached the bottom of the stairs and running back up. "What's wrong?" Nick asked, giving AJ a weird look as he pushed them all back and closed the door. "I don't think you want to go down there," AJ said, walking past them and into the kitchen. "Why not?" Nick asked, following him and the others into the next room. "Nicky's a little slow," Brian said, getting an apple out of the refrigerator and shining it on his shirt. "Ohhh!" Nick said, not really catching on but pretending to.
"Nicky, Nicky, Nicky," AJ said, "You have a very sick mind. They were just making out, that's all." AJ felt like someone was staring at him and looked up to see 3 pairs of eyes looking at him. "What?" he asked, paranoid. "You made it sound like they were naked or something," Kevin said. "See what I mean? You people and your sick minds," AJ said, receiving 3 slaps in the back of the head.
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"Did you hear that?" Katie asked, looking towards the staircase. "Yeah, it was AJ," Howie said, never taking his eyes off of her. "Oh. Um, maybe I should go," she said, standing up from her position next to Howie on the couch. "Huh? Why?" Howie asked, immediately standing up, too. "I just don't feel comfortable, that's all," she said. "Okay, I'll take you home. But can I see you again?" he asked. She did a double take and stared into his dark brown eyes. "You--you want to see me again?" she asked. "Is that so hard to believe?" he asked, laughter in his eyes. "Yeah, kinda. I mean, I don't usually get an encore," she said, turning red after she said it and looking down at the floor. "Hey, you don't have to be embarassed around me, okay?" he said, lifting her chin with his finger and kissing her lightly on the nose. "Yeah, okay," she said, not completely looking him in the eye as he took her arm and led her up the stairs.
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***3 weeks later***
"Hey Katie, need some help?" Kevin asked, walking into the kitchen and seeing her leaned over a sink full of soupy water. She responded by giving him a shocked look. "What?" he asked. "Nothing, it's just that that's the first time I've ever heard a guy actually VOLUNTEER to do some work around this house," she said, laughing at the fake look of hurt on his face. "Well, this is the first time we've ever had a girl LIVING with us," he said, receiving a handful of bubbles on his nose.
"Why don't you run to the store, I'm gonna finish these dishes and see if I can't get the rest of those guys in there to leave the TV and help out a little around the house," Kevin said, handing her a $100 dollar bill and his car keys. "Okay, what do you want from the store?" she asked, slipping on her shoes. "Uh, how about a 12 pack of Pepsi, some junk food, and whatever else those pigs in there want," he said, gesturing towards the living room. "Okay," she said, laughing to herself as she walked into the living room. "Hey guys, what do you want from the store?" she asked, trying to draw their attention away from the TV screen. "Pizza!" Nick said, his eyes never leaving the screen. "Pizza? From the grocery store? C'mon Nick, be a little practical," she said.
"How about picking up some McDonalds on your way home?" AJ asked, still staring at the TV. "Guys, please! Kev gave me $100 for FOOD, not greasy fat-filled fast food that you can eat every other day of your lives," she said. "Wow Howie, she's just like you," Brian said, laughing. "Want me to come with you, Hun?" Howie asked, ignoring Brian and getting up from his position on the couch. "Nope, I got it. Besides, I can use the time alone. Do you know how hard it is sharing a house AND a bathroom with 5 guys?" she asked, putting her arms around his neck and kissing him on the cheek. "Sorry, I'll be out by next week, I promise," Nick said. "Nick, I didn't mean you personally," she said, giving him a look. "I know, but mom says the house should be aired out by next Friday, so I'll be out of your hair pretty soon," he said, dragging his eyes away from the TV and smiling at her.
Nick's house had just been painted on the inside AND out. It was basically an easy place to get a buzz at the moment, that's why he was crashing with the rest of them in the condo. "Okay, I'm gonna go. I'll see you when I get back," Katie said, turning around to walk out of the room. "Hang on, I'll walk you to the door," Howie said, not letting go of her hand. "I'm not leaving forever, ya know," she said, turning around to face him as they reached the door. "Well it feels like it," he said, running his thumb down her nose and kissing her gently on the lips. "I love you," he whispered, his forehead touching hers. "I love you, too," she whispered back, staring into his eyes. "I'll see you in about 30 minutes," she said, kissing him one more time on the lips and opening the door. "I'll be here," he said, waving as she closed the door behind her.
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"Okay, I got Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, milk, bread, butter, chips, apples, peanut butter..." Katie mumbled to herself, checking off her list of groceries. "Yep, I think I got everything," she said, pushing the cart towards the checkout line. She paid for the groceries and led the bag boy out to Kevin's black Jaguar. "Nice car. What are you, a model or something?" the bag boy asked, admiring the car as he put the groceries in the trunk. "Yeah, something like that," she said, smiling to herself as she tipped him and climbed into the car. It purred to life and she pulled out of the parking lot and onto the highway. Turning on the radio, she stopped when she heard her favorite song; "Should've Never" by Jennifer Lopez.
It wasn't one of her singles, but some of the local radio stations played it anyway. "Should've never kissed you, should've never held your hand. Got to find a way to let these feelings go. What did I do the day I let you slip into my soul? It was then when I realized that I would always want you in my life," she sang along to the song, getting totally lost in the music; just like she always did with this song.
She pulled off of the highway and onto a darkened street that was usually well lighted. That's strange, she thought to herself, slowing down and watching around her. She saw an old rusted red car parked next to the sidewalk and slowed down even more. It wasn't legal to park on this street, it was too narrow. Thinking someone might of broken down, she peered into the darkness to see if someone was standing beside the car. Seeing two young boys standing on the other side of the it, she slowed to a stop. "Hey, you need some help?" she yelled out the passenger's side window which was rolled down.
The two boys turned around quickly and stared at her. "Are you having car trouble?" she asked again, thinking they didn't hear her the first time. Taking her by surprise, the two boys started walking towards the Jag at a steady pace. Just as she was about to ask them yet again if they needed some help, one of them pulled out a gun. "Oh my God," she whispered under her breath. Those were the last words she spoke before the bullet whizzed through the open window and her head fell slowly forward onto the steering wheel.
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"Guys, shouldn't Katie of been home like half-an-hour ago?" Howie asked, looking at his watch for the hundredth time that night. "Howie, don't worry about it. You know women, they love to shop," AJ said, focusing his attention on the basketball game on the TV in front of him. "No, something's wrong, I can feel it," Howie said, standing up and walking into the hallway. He opened the front door and walked out onto the porch. "Come on Katie, you sould be home by now," Howie said, looking up and down the street. "What's going on?" he asked himself, noticing the flashing ambulance and police lights on the next street over. "Howie, where'd you go?" Brian asked, stepping out onto the front porch. "Right here," Howie said, never taking his eyes off of the flashing lights. There were dozens of them--all flashing red, white and blue. "What are you doing standing on the sidewalk?" Brian asked, walking over and standing beside him. "Wow, what happened?" he asked, seeing the lights Howie was staring at. "I don't know," Howie said, receiving a strange look from Brian.
"Come on, someone probably accidentaly tripped their house alarm or something," Brian said, walking back towards the house. "Would a house alarm bring seven cop cars and an ambulance?" Howie asked. "No..." Brian trailed off. "Hey guys, what's going on?" Nick yelled, walking outside with Kevin and AJ following. "Come here," Brian said, pointing at the lights. "What?" Nick asked, stopping when he saw what they were staring at. "Wow," was all AJ could say. "What happened?" Kevin asked. "We don't know," Brian said, still staring down the street. "Can't be anything too serious, this is a good neighborhood; nothing bad would ever happen here," Kevin said, not completely believeing what he was saying. A gut feeling inside him just wouldn't let him believe it. Neither would it the other guys. Especially Howie.
"Maybe we should go down and see what's going on," AJ said, looking at the other guys for their opinions. "Yeah, I say we do," Nick said, receiving a nodd from Kevin and one from Brian as well. "Guys?" Howie asked, his voice shaky. The guys just looked at him; they knew what he was gonna say. "Katie." Without another word, the guys took off running towards the flashing lights.
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"I'm sorry, you're gonna have to stay behind the yellow line," the big cop said, immediantely running towards the five guys as he saw them coming. "What happened, what's going on?" Brian asked for them all; Howie couldn't talk, his throat was dry. "A gang shooting," the cop said, pushing them back behind the yellow caution ribbon that made its way around two cars. A red rusty one and... a black Jaguar. "Kevin..." AJ croaked, pointing to the black Jag.
"Tell me you didn't give Katie your car to drive, please," Nick whispered, swallowing around the growing lump in his throat. Kevin couldn't answer--he couldn't even breath. "Kevin?" Brian whispered, looking at Kevin. But he didn't need an answer. He could see it on Kevin's face. "Oh God," he moaned, falling to his knees on the pavement.
"No... please God, no...," Nick whispered, kneeling next to Brian's shaking body. "Howie?" AJ asked, causing them all to look where Howie had been standing. But he wasn't there anymore. They all knew where to look, though. And they were right. Kneeling with his arms clinging tightly to the slumped-over figure in the black Jaguar and his head buried in her hair was Howard Dwaine Durough.
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"... And I shall walk with Him all the days of my life," the priest ended, closing the bible. It was five days later. The funeral was over. The life of a beautiful young girl who had so much to show and give to the world was over. "Come on, Howie. Let's go home," AJ said, putting his arm around his friend and leading him towards the limo. "Just give me a few minutes," Howie said, and AJ nodded, following the other guys back to the car. Turning around, Howie slowly walked towards the coffin that hung mercifuly over the open hole in the ground.
"Oh God, Katie," he whispered, falling to his knees next to the coffin and covering his face with his hands. "I'm so, so sorry," he cried, placing his hands on the side of the coffin as if trying to touch her. "I should have protected you, I should of been there! I love you so much, Katie... I miss you. I miss you more and more with every second of every day that passes. I'll come visit you every day, I promise. I won't let you be lonely, I won't let you down like that again. Oh God, why? Why did this have to happen to you? You had so much to give the world... so much love... so much passion and kindness... You're the bravest person I ever met, Katie, and I want you to know that. You were so strong, so much stronger than me. I'm so sorry you had to go like this... I love you. I always will," he said, kissing the side of the coffin as if kissing her goodbye for the last time and placing his white rose on top of the coffin with all the red ones.
White roses... her favorite. "I love you, Katie," he whispered. And with those as his last words, he turned around and walked down the hill to the waiting limo. The only sound was the whispering wind making its way through the trees. "I love you, too, Howie..."
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