Karen woke up the next morning in Nick's bed. She glanced down to see Nick curled up on the floor. "Nick.........Nick...." she repeated.

"Hmmm?" he mumbled.

"What happened?"

He rubbed his eyes. "You fell asleep while I was on the phone last night. You seemed so tired. I didn't have the heart to wake you."

"So, you slept on the floor of YOUR hotel room?"

"Yup."

Karen got up. "Carter, you are a class act. Sorry to wake you, but its 5:30. Leslie has sugery at 7:00."

Nick pulled his covers off. Karen saw him in just his boxers. She blushed as Nick re-covered him. "Oh!"

Karen walked to the door. "It's all right. Besides you've seen me with messy hair and no makeup. We're even."

"Do you wanna' come with me to see Leslie?"

"Sure. I'll meet you in 45 minutes."

Karen drove to the hospital, since Nick was a bit jittery. As they entered Leslie's ward, Karen kept to herself. "Are you coming?" Nick wondered.

"No, this is a family moment."

Nick took her hand. "Well, I'm a family member, and I want you included."

When they stepped into Leslie's room, Karen clung to Nick's side. He wrapped his arm around her. "Relax."

Leslie grinned. "Hi, Nick, thanks for coming."

"No problem."

The doctor joined them. "Ready, Leslie?"

She took a deep breath. "I suppose. Let's get it over with."

"All right, Miss Carter."

Nicks' parents exited with his sister. Mr.Carter spoke to Nick. "We'll meet you in the waiting room later, son."

"Okay."

Karen and Nick sat together. Nick fidgeted. "I need something to do. I can't sit here for three hours."

Karen massaged his shoulders. "Why don't you go get some breakfast in the cafeteria?"

"Okay. Then what?"

Karen smiled." I'm sure there are plenty of kids in this place that would love to meet a Backstreet Boy!"

"Great idea!"

>>>>>