Howie tapped Nick on the shoulder. "Hey, bud, wake up."

Nick opened his eyes. "What?" he yawned.

Howie put his finger to his lips. "Shhh... don't wake Karen."

"Where's Pollyanna?" Nick asked.

"Inside the arena. Everybody's set up. We have an interview in a half hour with a local tv station."

"Where are we?"

"Louisville. We're gonna' drive over to the hotel. In a couple of hours."

"Okay." Nick looked down at Karen. "She's so tired. I don't want to wake her." He gently lifted her and laid her head back against the pillow.

"Come on, buddy. I already wrote Karen a note."

Nick stretched once he they entered the arena. "What time is it, anyway?"

"Seven," AJ complained.

Kevin grabbed a cup of coffee. "God bless caffinee."

"Where's Karen?" Brian wondered.

"Asleep."

The reporters started to arrive. "Another fun-filled day of the media placing their noses in our business," AJ griped.

Howie sipped his tea. "AJ, as grumpy as you are, maybe you should join Karen for some sleep."

"Not a bad idea," AJ snickered, "I do like redheads."

Nick sat down. "Like all the redheads you want. Just not a certian redhead."

The press sat up their equidment and ran a test. "Are we ready to begin?" the sound director asked.

Kevin nodded. "Sure."

The questions began. "Kevin, Brian, are you happy with your engagements?"

"Yes, very happy."

Brian smiled. "I couldn't be happier."

"So, are the rest of you single?"

"Yes," AJ and Howie said in unision.

"And you, Mr. Carter?"

"I'm seeing somebody," he said blushing.

When the interview finished Nick hurried out to Karen's bus. He found her in a new change of clothes. With her hair pulled up into a high ponytail. "Hi. You look nice."

"Thanks," Karen said looking down at her lavender peasant blouse and blue jeans.

"What are 'ya readin'?"

"Rolling Stone."

"Cool." He sat down beside her. "Did you sleep well last night?"

"Very well," she said with a smile.

Nick wrapped his arm around her waist. "So, what are your plans for today?"

"I've got to get some homework out of the way. I already did a couple of the assignments Howie left for me." She sighed. "But I've still got a lot to catch up on."

"What classes do you take?"

"English, accounting, history, earth science and advanced composition."

"Advanced?"

"Yeah. I write poetry, essays, articles that kind of stuff. Actually, I was critiquing this edition of Rolling Stone."

"Sounds tough to keep up."

"Not really. If you enjoy it."

Nick frowned. "So, you have to do homework all day?"

"Not exactly. I finished my assignments for this morning. So, I'm free until noon when Howie tutors me."

"Great." He glanced at his watch. "It's 10:00. Care to join me for a late breakfast?"

"I'd be happy to."

Nick gave her a piggyback ride to the backstage catering area. He handed her a plate. "Ladie first."

Karen grabbed a yogurt cup and a strawberry bagel. While Nick loaded his plate with: bacon, biscuits, hashbrowns and eggs. "Is that all your getting?" Nick asked her as they picked a table.

Karen stirred her yogurt. "I'm not really a breakfast person."

"I can tell."

Karen noticed AJ quietly sneak up behide Nick and steal a piece of bacon. "AJ!" Nick groaned.

AJ laughed. "Thanks, pal." He smiled at Karen. "Hey, red, how are you?"

"I'm fine. And you?"

"I'm great."

"Why don't you have a seat?" Karen asked scooting over.

"Thanks," AJ said sitting down.

Nick shook up his juice. "What brings you here?"

"The guys split. Kev and Rok are visiting family. And Polly and Howie are working on some new lyrics for her demo."

"So, what are you gonna' do, AJ?"

"Take a nap."

Nick shook his head. "I should've guessed."

"Oh, yeah," AJ remembered. "Brian's parents invited us to dinner with them at five. You wanna' come?"

"Fine by me. How about you, Karen?"

"Sounds great."

As five rolled around Karen found herself sitting across from The Littrells.

Mrs. Littrell smiled. "So, dear, how are you liking the tour?"

"It's very nice. The guys are really nice and they've really made me feel welcomed."

Mr. Littrell chuckled. "I bet the guys enjoy having you on tour."

"Dad!" Brian groaned. "Please behave."

He sighed. "If you insist, son."

Mrs.Littrell took Karen's hand. "See, dear, males never grow up."

Karen nodded.

Mr. Littrell took a sip of his coffee. "So, Nick, are you doing all right?"

"I sure am. This was a great idea," Nick answered.

The waiter brought out their food and the customers dug into their meals. Everyone except Karen.

Which Kevin quickly noticed. "Karen, are you all right?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

"Why aren't you eating?" Howie asked.

"I'm just not very hungry."

AJ looked up. "I wouldn't be hungry either if I ordered a grilled cheese."

Pollyanna rolled her eyes. "Ignore AJ."

Mrs. Littrell observed Karen. "Are you sure you're all right, dear?"

"I'm fine, really."

AJ leant over and whispered to Nick. "Well, it looks like tour-itis is kicking in."

Nick took her hand. "You're positive you're okay?"

"Yes, Nick," she sighed. "Look, I get really nervous before I sing. And if I eat now. I'd puke all over the stage."

Late that night--

Karen entered her hotel room after the performance. She curled up an her bed as her phone rang. "Hello?"

"Hey, Kare-Bear, it's Nick."

"Hi, Nick. What's up?"

"Nothing much. You?"

"Just resting."

"Did I bother you?"

Karen smiled. "Of course not."

Nick mumbled. "Well, I'm kinda' bored. Would you like to get together? Maybe watch a movie?"

"Sure. You wanna' come over here?"

"No problem. Be there in a few minutes."

Nick arrived in his pajamas, his hair still wet from his shower. He sat up on the bed holding Karen in his arms. "What do you want to watch?"

She looked through TV Guide. "How about the 'Son-in-Law' with Pauly Shore?"

"Cool." Nick played with her hair. "Where's Pollyanna?"

"Out clubbing with Howie."

"It's 12:00 now. They won't be back for another 3 hours at least."

"True."

Nick handed her a package.

"What's this?"

"A peanut butter and jelly sandwich, I stole it off Kev. You didn't eat dinner. So, I brought you a snack."

"That was sweet. But won't Kev get ticked?"

"Nah. Eat it. You need to keep your energy up."

"All right, Dr. Carter," Karen laughed taking a bite of her sandwich.

After Karen ate she laid her head against Nick's chest. And began to drift off.Nick rubbed her neck. "You okay, babe?"

"Yup. Just tired."

"I think you're getting sick."

She shook her head. "You're overreacitng, because Leslie got so sick on tour."

"That was different. She had appenditis. You seem fluish. There's a difference."

"In that case, mind if I get some sleep?"

"Not if I get to stay here, and keep you warm in my arms."

She grinned. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

>>>>>

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