Nick headed to Karen's room as soon as he returned to the hotel. He knocked on the door. "Hi." Karen smiled as she opened the door, and motioned him in.

Nick sat in a nearby chair. "So?"

Karen took a seat on the bed. "So what?"

"So, are you gonna' travel with us?"

"Of course I am."

"You are?"

"Uh-huh."

Nick gave her a hug. "That's great."

"I'm really nervous," Karen admitted.

"Don't be nervous, Karen, you'll be great. Just like you were last time."

"I hope you're right, Carter." She glanced at her calender. "So, what's the next city on the tour?"

"Atlanta." He grinned. "Speaking of Atlanta-- I know this awesome movie theatre. It's small, so during the day while kids have school it's uncrowded."

"What if I have a tutoring session tomorrow?"

"You won't. You have a new tutor. And he's busy tomorrow afternoon. He has plans."

"Really? And who is he?"

"Howie!"

"Howie?"

"Yup. Howie's really smart. He'll be great, I promise."

"I thought I'd be with Leslie's tutor."

"Leslie's tutor's gonna' stay here in Alabama. To keep Leslie caught up since she's sick."

"How's Leslie feeling?" Karen asked.

"Better. She's happy that she'll be back home in a few days."

"I'm sure she is."

Nick smiled. "Yeah, she's gets to spend a few more days with that little shrimp of hers."

"I'm guessing the shrimp is her boyfriend."

"Yeah." Nick nervously fidgeted. "So--- do you have a boyfriend?"

"No, I haven't had a boyfriend in about two years."

"You're kidding?"

"Nope."

Nick stared at the floor. "Could the movie kind of be like a--a-- date?"

"A date?" She blushed. "I'd like that, Nick."

Nick gave a sigh of relief. "Cool." He stood up. "So, I'll see 'ya tomorrow at seven AM."

"You bet."

The next morning Karen stepped in the lobby dressed in a black baby tee, black jeans, black sandals and sunglasses. Wearing her hair down with Nick's black fisherman's hat."

AJ tapped Nick on the shoulder. "Is she your type or is she mine?"

"MINE!" Nick said quickly.

Brian glanced at Karen. "Now we know why black is Kev's fav. color."

Kevin rolled his eyes. "Come on, guys."

"I'm coming," Howie said grabbing his luggage.

Karen joined the group. "Hi, guys."

"Hey," Nick replied as he took her luggage. "I'll carry that for you."

"Thanks."

Brian stood beside Karen. "Is black your favorite color?"

She laughed. "No, I'm just not a morning person. I just wanted something that refected my mood."

"Hey, Kevin," Rok yelled, "I found you a soul mate!"

"Kev is a pain to wake up in the morning, " Nick whispered as he wrapped his jacket around Karen.

"What's this for?" she asked.

"It's cold. It is winter."

Karen slipped on his huge jacket. "I thought the south had warm winters."

"Not that warm," Nick stated as he walked her to the tour buses.

As the Boys loaded the buses Karen noticed a beautiful lady hugging Howie. "Who's that?"

"Pollyanna. Howie's sister," Nick answered.

Karen stared at her. Pollyanna was tall, slender with long black hair, dark skin and big brown eyes. She sighed. "She certainly is beautiful."

Nick kissed her hand. "So are you."

Karen embraced him with a big hug. Pollyanna and Howie joined them.

"Hello," Pollyanna said smiling.

"Hey," Karen replied.

Pollyanna shook her hand. "Nice to meet you. I'm Polly."

"Likewise, I'm Karen."

Nick spoke up. "You ladies care to ride to Atlanta with us?"

Pollyanna put her arm around Karen's shoulder. "Nah. The girls need time to get to know each other."

"That's right!" Karen giggled.

Nick rolled his eyes. "Even grown women suffer from girltalk."

Pollyanna and Karen nodded and headed to their bus.

When everyone arrived in Atlanta, they all met in the arena. "What are eveyone's plans?" Kevin asked.

Nick placed his hands on Karen's waist. "We're going to the movies."

"I'm taking a nap," AJ yawned.

"We're going to lunch," Howie said motioning to Pollyanna.

Brian sat down. "I don't have any plans. Leighanne is out of town."

Kevin read over the scheudle. "Well, I'm going to the gym to workout. You can come with me if you like."

"Okay."

"Well, the show starts at eight and it's noon now, so we should meet back here at four."

"Four?" AJ complained.

Kevin massaged his brow. "Okay, five, AJ."

AJ smirked. "I just got myself another hour of sleep."

"Are we staying at a hotel?" Brian asked.

"No, we're driving straight to South Carolina. We'll get there early in the morning and then we can rest at the hotel"

Karen turned to Nick. "Sleeping on a bus?"

"Don't worry you get use to it."

She crossed her arms. "With my luck I'll fall out of my bunk everytime we hit a bump."

Pollyanna chuckled. "In that case I'll be sure to give you the bottom bunk."

AJ headed towards the tour bus. "Well, I'm gonna' go get some sleep."

Nick took Karen's hand. "We should get going."

And with that said everyone went off their seprate ways.

Once Karen and Nick reached the theater they decided to watch 'The Tigger Movie.' They both sang along with 'The Tigger Song' and chuckled at the antics of the Pooh Corner gang. In the middle of the movie Karen rested her head against Nick's shoulder. "This is a cute movie."

"Yeah, it is," Nick agreed wrapping his arm around her.

"It feels kinda' weird being here."

"Where?"

"On a date with the NICK CARTER!"

Nick laughed. "The Nick Carter. Hon, I'm nothin' special."

Karen grinned. "You are, trust me."

Nick faced his date. "You know what?"

"What?"

"I feel bad for Tigger," Nick stated.

The redhead giggled. "Why?"

"If he's the only one, he'll never get a girlfriend."

"Well, I'm sure he'll survive, " she said.

Nick nervously fidgeted. "May I ask you an important question?"

"Of course."

He took her slender hand. "May I kiss you?"

Karen felt her heart skip a beat. "I'd like that."

Nick ran his hands over her face, gazed into her eyes and then pressed his lips to hers.

She shivered.

Nick gently pulled away. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah," she blushed.

He smiled. "That was nice."

"Yes, it was," she agreed.

"Nice enough to do again?" Nick asked with a mischeivious grin.

Karen let her body lean in towards him. "Definitely."

>>>>>

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