As soon as Nick arrived on the set, Kyle briefed him on his role in the video.
"Whats going on here is that we have already shot the girls getting ready, shopping and arriving at the club. Now what we need is the main focus of the song. The guy. Thats you. Jennifer is going to be performing a small part of her song on the stage in the center of the club. Then your going to walk in the room. You see her, your eyes meet, boom, love at first sight. You push your way to the stage and take her hand and help her down. Then you dance. Now I want to see passion, love and desire in your dance. Think about the song. At the end, I want a kiss. Not only does it fit the song, but James suggested that it would help prepare the world for the Nick Carter, Jennifer shock" Kyle said.
Nick paused. It suddenly set in that Jennifer wasnt his girlfriend anymore. He heart sank when she walked in the room. Moments later, the empty club turned into a trendy hangout filled with extras hired to dance away. Nick watched Jennifer climb onto the center stage. The music began. He was so mesmorized by her that he didnt even realize cameras were rolling on him.
"Cut" Kyle yelled. "Now Nick, go get her" he said with a smile
Nick, trying to remain professional, did his part. He approached the stage, his stomach in a knot, and grabbed her hand. It felt so warm and forgiving in his hand. He only wished she was as forgiving in reality. Then as he helped her down, their eyes met. Nick felt a chill run down his spine. Did she feel it to? He could only hope. They made their way to the middle of the dance floor. He was scared at first of what he could get away with, as far as getting cose to her. Jennifer read his mind. She turned around and whispered in his ear.
"You can touch me, I dont bite" she said, not allowing herself to look in his eyes. She was afraid if she did she would lose her self control and she didnt want to be hurt again by him.
Nick bit his lip and paused for a moment. He had to be professional. His personal life shouldnt affect his work and he wasnt going to let a stupid fight ruin Jennifer's first big video. Gaining courage, he pulled her body up against his and placed his hands on her hips. Their bodies moved as one to the beat of the song. For a brief moment in time they both forgot about everything and let their guard down. They finally allowed themselves to enjoy the comfort and security of one another. Then the moment was gone, forever.
"CUT. That was great. Now the kiss"
At the hospital...
"Oh Alyssa" AJ said as he ran to her bedside. "Are you ok?" he asked, hoping for a positive response. Nothing.
AJ turned and faced the doctor.
"She cant hear you" was his only solemn response
AJ sighed as he grabbed her tiny hand. It felt so cold and lifeless in his. He kissed her gently on her bruised forehead as the doctor led him to the waiting area.
"We'll keep you informed of her progress" Doctor Yorkshire said as he walked away.
AJ sat down on the chair and buried his head in his hands. He wanted to cry but his dignity wouldnt let him. To think that just a little while ago she was in his arms. In the back of his mind he also couldnt help but wonder what made her leave so suddenly that day? He was determined to find out.
Meanwhile...
"Ok, heres what I want to happen with this kiss, The music will stop and Nick, you lean in and kiss her. Then the music will start back up. Hold this kiss and we'll fade out, ok?" Kyle said
Theu both nodded uncertainly. The music started and Nick went to kiss her. Their lips met and Jennifer pulled away.
"I cant" she said, running off the set
Kyle stood there. Never had he seem a musician refuse to do something and run off.
"What just happened?" he asked, frustrated from a long day and little sleep.
Nick didnt know what to say. "We're kind of fighting and she probably doesnt want anything to do with me anymore" he finally choked out.
"Well there wasnt a problem when you were dancing" Kyle said, shaking his head
Just then Jennifer came back out on the set. Her face wet with tears. As she spoke, everyone on the set stopped what they were doing and listened to her emotional outpouring.
"Nick, I loved you. I loved you so much it scared me. I dont like giving myself to someone as much as I did you because they always ending up hurting me. But Nick, I trusted you. I thought you were different. I didnt think you would ever hurt me. But you sure proved me wrong. I dont know what happened with you and Amanda, and I dont want to know. All I know is that I cant trust you anymore, and you cant have a relationship with someone you dont trust. And I cant kiss you today because I'm afraid if I let myself then I'll fall for you all over again, and I dont want that to happen" she said, tears falling down her soft pale cheeks. When she finished she whispered goodbye and turned around to walk away.
Nick, with tears forming in his baby blue eyes, started to go after her, but someone held him back. It was James.
"Nick, just leave her alone" he said.
Nick solemnly turned around and went the other way.
Kyle, unsure of what to do now, spoke. "Well, we have the club rented out until tomorrow at 8pm, so everyone, go get some sleep and we'll finish this tomorrow. Everyone be here at 3pm sharp." They all nodded and left the building.
The next morning...
"Where is everyone?" Brian said, still holding the hotel phone.
"I dont know sweetie" Caitlyn replied as she walked over and kissed him on the forehead.
"I called AJ, no answer, I called Howie, nothing and same with Kevin. I know Jen and Nick are on the set, but where is everyone else at 9 in the morning?" he asked again
"Brian, its ok, I'm sure they can take care of themselves" she said as she finished getting ready. Her and Brian were going to go walk around the Las Vegas strip and check out the sights.
Brian went to speak again but Caitlyn shut him up by placing a kiss on his lips. Brian responded passionately by placing his tongue in her mouth. Caitlyn pulled away.
"Hey" Brian said
"Later, we're leaving now" she said, pulling him off the bed.
"Promise" he asked, acting like a deprived puppy.
"I promise" she replied as they left the room.
A few minutes later...
Howie woke up. He looked around, trying to remember where he was. No idea.
He looked beside him. There was Amber. Oh man, he thought. What happened?
He tried to remember something, anything. Still no recolevtion. All he knew was that he was laying on a blanket overlooking an endless desert with Amy laying next to him. He looked at his watch. 9:15am. Well, they were fully clothed, so nothing like that happened. He breathed a small sigh of relief. At least if I am going to sleep with someone that beautiful, I want to remember it he said to himself. He looked down at her. She looked so peaceful, so beautiful.
Later that day...
Jennifer stared at her refelction in the mirror. Her dark brown eyes showed her sadness. She brushed her long brown hair which lay in perfect layers around her face. She tried to push all thoughts of Nick out of her head as she finished getting ready to make the video. As she grabbed her bag and left the room, she ran into Kevin.
"Hey" she said, happy to see a familiar face that wasnt Nick.
"Hey" he said, walking over to her. "Hows the shoot going?" he asked politely
"Um, well, ok, except the kiss" she said, lowering her head.
"With Nick?" he asked, trying to look in her solemn eyes.
"Yeah" she said, her voice unable to hide her unhappiness. "I used to love kissing him. It made me feel good. But now it makes me want to cry. I dont know if its because t reminds me of how much I miss him, or if its because I know those same lips were kissing Amanda just the same" she added
"Jenn, if you like him so much, then just make up. I know Nick too well and he still has feelings for you" Kevin said, sounding like a big brother
"Its not that easy" she said
"Why?"
"Because I think Amanda and Nick still have something going on and besides that, this emotional rollercoaster is affecting my work, and I cant let that happen, especially after the single gets released" she said
"Well it seems to be affecting your work already" Kevin said, placing his arm around her shoulder for comfort.
Just then they were interupted.
"Jennifer, lets go"
It was James.
"Well you better go. WE can talk later if you want. I have tickets to the Siegfried and Roy magic show here" Kevin suggested, his voice warm and tender
"Really? That would be great, I wanted to see that show" she said, smiling for the first time in a while.
"Great, see you later" Kevin said as she took off down the hall to catch James.
At the same time...
AJ sat anxiously in the waiting room of the hospital. He watched doctors and nurses rush by him. He hoped one, just one, would stop and let him know that everything was going to be okay with Alyssa. He prayed silently that everything was okay. Moments later someone sat next to him. AJ looked up, his eyes showed his fear and sadness.
"Hi" the man said softly
"Hi" AJ replied solemnly
"The doctor said you were a friend of Alyssa's" the man continued
AJ sighed. "Yes" he choked
"Hi, I'm Mr. McAfree"
AJ stared at the man for a moment before he spoke. "Her husband?" he finally managed to say.
