Howie and Melissa got lost in some conversation about education; Melissa was a teacher, leaving Nick and Dani to fend for themselves.

Dani started first, rather hesitantly, “Um, I see the break has been good for you. You seem rested and happy.” She was scared he would be upset, but figured he had to know that she knew who he was.

Of course, Nick wasn’t surprised at her statement, nor was he upset about it. “Yeah, it’s been good for all of us. I wasn’t sure if you knew or not, you didn’t say anything. Your friend doesn’t have a clue, does she?”

Dani laughed, “Nope, not a one. She is all hard rock and metal. I love it too, but I listen to other stuff as well. She is always teasing me about being a Backstreet Boy fan.”

Melissa’s ears perked up on that, “Backstreet Boys! You’re in a car full of good-looking men and you’re talking about the Backstreet Boys? You know, I am so glad ‘boy bands’ are going out. The kids at school have been driving me crazy with ‘Backstreet’ this and ‘Nsync’ that, and whatever other groups there are. Do they even really sing? C’mon, they are all just a bunch of pretty boys being told how to dance and what to say, and”

Daniella interrupted, “MELISSA!” Thank God it was dark and Nick couldn’t see her blushing over her friend’s outburst. She was, however, quite relieved when the rest car erupted into laughter.

Howie spoke up, “Some of them do actually sing live on stage, play instruments, and write songs. You’d be surprised.” He smiled at Melissa.

Nick joined the joke, “Yeah, rock guitar and drums. Some of them are really into the heavy guitar rock of the 70’s and 80’s and even the new stuff like POD and Linkin Park.”

It was Mike’s turn, “Not all of them are ‘pretty boys’ on a puppet string. Some of them think for themselves, drink, get tattoos, and rebel against the system that ‘made them’.”

Earl was too busy laughing to add, so Dani took the opportunity. “Some of them even manage other groups, have expanded into owning music and movie production companies, contribute greatly to a variety of charities and foundations, and have even been invited to help head a new company that is changing the way the entertainment industry works and treats their clients.” Nick was impressed by her obvious knowledge of his role 2 Live Entertainment.

“Okay, am I missing out on something here? An inside joke or something?” Melissa was very confused.

Dani took the opportunity to, lovingly embarrass her friend. “Melissa, let me introduce you to Howie D and Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys.”

“No fucking way!” Melissa blurted then covered her mouth. “Oops, sorry. You’re kidding, right?”

“Sorry girl, but you are in fact in a car and on the way to a private party with two members of the Backstreet Boys.” This was definitely turning into an interesting night.

“Man, do I feel like a schumck now. Dani, you could have warned me.”

“I wasn’t quite sure how to. Besides, I didn’t want to make a big deal over who they were. I never expected you to rant like that.” Dani was still smiling at her friend.

“Sheeze. So, is all that stuff you guys were saying is it true? I mean, true as far as you, the Backstreet Boys, are concerned. You really do all that stuff?” Melissa was actually intrigued.

Howie and Nick answered at the same time, “Yes.”

“So, who is into the rock music and gets tattoos and plays instruments?” Melissa asked.

Howie looked at Nick, “Wanna answer this one, Nicky?”

“Sure, D, if you stop calling me Nicky.”

“Ain’t gonna happen in this lifetime, Nicky.” Howie laughed and Nick groaned.

“Okay, okay. That would be me. I actually have a solo album out that I did a majority of the writing on and that is more rock oriented, and I play guitar and drums. I’m the one who is into the rock and metal music. I also have quite a few tattoos, though not as many as AJ. Um…What else, D?”

Howie and Dani took turns explaining about the other members of the group, the different business ventures, and the different charities.

“Well I’ll be!” Melissa could only shake her head. What else could she say? She had already embarrassed herself and truthfully was impressed with their accomplishments. Maybe she should stop teasing Dani so ruthlessly? “I guess I should apologize then, for the things I said earlier. I always tell my students to think before they speak and not to make assumptions until you have all the facts. I obviously need to start following my own advice.”

“Aww, don’t worry about it.” Howie tried to smooth things over sensing Melissa’s obvious discomfort at the situation.

With that situation cleared conversation continued as normal, with Melissa and Howie returning to their original conversation regarding education and the Florida school system. Dani and Nick were once again left to have their own conversation. Nick started, “So when did you realize who we were?”

Again Dani blessed the darkened vehicle. “Um, actually when I first saw you. I was about to tell the waitress to thank you but that we wouldn’t join you when Melissa just stood up and walked over.”

“Why weren’t you gonna join us?”

“It’s hard to explain really. It’s just, I see so many people always bothering you guys no matter where you go, I’ve always said I wouldn’t be one of those people. Besides, I wasn’t at the club to pick up guys, just there to have a girl’s night out with one of my best friends.” Dani shifted slightly to be able to look at him more squarely in the face; she hated not being able to see someone when talking to them.

Nick really wasn’t sure how to react to her answer. “Oh. Well then, I hope I didn’t mess up your night.”

“No. No. Not at all. If for nothing else I’ve enjoyed finally making Missy eat her words.” Dani smiled at Nick. “Besides, like I said, you look good, I mean good in the way that you seem a lot happier than you seemed to be for quite a while. I’m glad that I had the chance to see that up close. You know, see the happiness in your eyes, what I mean is, when you smile now, it finally reaches your eyes.” Shaking her head, Dani sighed, that wasn’t coming out the way she wanted it.

Nick just looked at her for a second before continuing. “Yeah, things are better now.” He was trying to look her in the eyes, but for some reason she seemed to be avoiding his. “Not many people noticed that when I smiled it wasn’t real. I mean, yeah, sometimes it was, but most of the time it was forced. It took me a while to even realize that.”

Finally Dani looked at him, “I’m glad you did. I was worried about you.” Brilliant Dani! Now he thinks you’re a nut. “I guess that sounds strange.”

“Not really.” He sensed her uneasiness but wasn’t sure why she was so, nor was he sure how to make her feel better.

“It’s just, well see, you give so much of yourself to everyone. You’ve grown up in such a crazy way with everyone always watching you. You were so young and so dependent on those around you. Then one by one they started growing up and doing their own thing. To me, anyway, you looked lost. You know. You never really said much about it, but, watching you during the Black and Blue tour and even after, you seemed almost manic, set on self-destruct, and no one seemed to care or even notice. I remember seeing pictures of you and crying you looked so tired. The shallowness under your eyes was so prevalent, yet you didn’t stop. And people never stopped asking of you, taking from you. I heard about one girl yelling at you in a hotel lobby at 3 in the morning, she was mad because you were tired and just wanted to go to your room. 3 a.m.! I mean, come one. I’d wanna just go to my room too. Yet, after she yelled at you, instead of just ignoring her or whatever, you stopped and took pictures. I know when I heard the story, I don’t know how true it is, but I remember just sitting there and crying for you. I just can’t imagine how you kept going like that. I swore that I would never be one of those people that bothered you, stalked you, things like that. To me any obligations you have to the fans end as soon as you step off the stage. I just wished that someone would have given you a big hug and told you things would be okay, that you would be okay, and then actually show you how to make it so.” Dani stopped suddenly realizing she had rambled on way more than she wanted to. “Wow. Umm. Ok, I really didn’t mean for all that to come out. Really, I am not some psychotic fan who thinks she knows everything about you. Those were just observations that I made, which I know could be completely off base. Just, you didn’t look happy for such a long time, and now you do.” Dani felt really uncomfortable now and wished she would have just kept quiet. Nick was just looking at her with an indistinguishable look that made her even more uncomfortable and she started to shift and squirm in his lap under his gaze.

Nick was at a loss for words. Someone actually noticed. She knew when even I didn’t know. He wasn’t sure how to respond. Her shifting around in his lap wasn’t helping him think of anything to say either; it was actually drawing his attention away from conversation. Finally he pulled at her knees and back to set her more on his thigh to try to still her movements. She had stopped looking at him while she was talking and he now took his hand and made her meet his eyes. “Thank you for noticing, and for caring.” About that time they both noticed the vehicle slowing to a stop and looking up they were at Nick’s house.

<~~Chapter 1or Chapter 3~~>