Written by: Amy.

"Are you guys ready?" Nick asked JQ and Howie.

The two nodded. "Yup," they replied in unison.

"All right, action!" Nick exclaimed unpausing the video camera.

JQ quickly pushed her dirty-blonde hair out of her face, which made her bright green eyes stand out. She smiled brightly at the camera. "Hi, AJ, Lex," she said cheerfully, "Jacquie here, also known as JQ, along with Howie..."

"Though you should know that seeing as how we’re your best man and maid of honor," Howie interrupted.

JQ turned to Howie. "Well, you never know. They could be watching this 50 years from now and not remember our names."

"Who forgets the names of their maid of honor and best man?" Howie pointed out.

JQ rolled her eyes. "I don’t know!" she exclaimed frustrated, "Maybe they’re old and they lost their memory!"

Nick chuckled. "Look like there’s going to be a lot of editing," he mumbled, then he cleared his throat and spoke up, "Uh, guys, could we move this along."

The two turned back to the camera and smiled. "Oh, sorry," they apologized.

"Anyway, as I was saying," JQ continued, "A bunch of us came up with this idea to make a video as a wedding gift.."

"Don’t worry, this won’t be the only thing you’re getting," Howie joked, "We’re not that cheap."

JQ chuckled and shook her head at Howie’s corny joke. "Well, seeing as how Howie and I are the maid of honor and bestman we all agreed that we should host this video."

"Since we know you the best," Howie added.

"Yup," JQ agreed, "Lex, I can read you like a book."

"And AJ, you can die your hair whatever color, get the oddest tattoo, do the stupidest thing and you just can’t shock me," Howie said, "But, keep trying. It’s entertaining."

JQ giggled. "Ironically, the one thing that you did that even surprised me was making it this far with AJ."

"Actually," Howie began, "I’m with JQ on this one. There was a time when I really didn’t think you guys would make it."

"Many times," JQ added, "But you have to admit, when you first met, you were on the same train of thought as the rest of us..."

________________________________________________

April 13, 1998

"Laura, if you don’t get that stupid camera out of my face right now..." Alexandra said, clenching her teeth.

Laura slowly backed away from Lexie. "Touchy..." she mumbled as she slowly stepped away and zoomed out, "Looks like someone isn’t in a birthday mood."

Lexie rolled her eyes and stepped back on the small ladder to keep putting on streamers. "Whatever, it’s not even my birthday."

"But it’s your sister’s," Lexie’s now 15 year old sister, Amy, piped up perkily

"Looks like someone’s a little bitter today," JQ observed, helping her friend out with the streamers, "This wouldn’t have anything to do with your recent broken heart?"

"No, of course not. I’m so over him. That was 3 months ago," Lexie replied through her teeth, "And my heart wasn’t broken... It was stomped on, smushed, torn into pieces, and shattered in a blazing fire."

"But you’re over him," JQ stated sarcastically.

Lexie nodded. "So over him."

"Yeah, sure you are," Amy quickly replied in disbelief.

Lexie shot Amy and cold glare. "So, Lexie, what are we doing after we leave Amy’s birthday party?" JQ asked changing the subject.

"Clubbing, of course!" she answered excitedly, "Meet as many guys as possible."

JQ rolled her eyes. She knew this was the broken heart talking. Lexie was an incurable romantic and not a big party animal. She would rather hang with friends than party with strangers. However, ever since Josh (who cheated on her with a handful of girls, used her, and left her for another woman) she had this sudden urge to go wild.

"Sounds like you’re on quite a quest to find true love," JQ commented sarcastically.

Lexie chortled. "Yeah right. Like such a thing is even possible. True love, I’ll pass. I’m just looking for a good time. Realistically, you can’t expect anything more. Hell, I’ll be lucky if I get that."

"So basically because of one guy you’ve lost complete faith in the entire male race?" Amy asked.

"Who said it was because of one guy?" Lexie shot back with a smile, "Hey, my heart’s been broken enough. You know what they say, ‘What goes around, comes around.’ I think it’s my turn to break some hearts."

"You make love sound like some kind of game," JQ observed.

Lexie shrugged and smile. "That’s all it is, isn’t it?"

JQ didn’t respond. She just rolled her eyes and shook her head. Talk about the bitter broken hearted. ____________________________________________________

"Howie will you stop it with the video camera!" AJ exclaimed frustrated, "I seriously doubt your mom cares what McDonalds in France looks like."

"I’m just trying to capture the Kodak moments," Howie explained with a smile as he choose a seat on the other end of the table, the camera still on.

"I’m with AJ... You’ve been shoving that camera in our face for the last three months. There’s only so much a person can take," Nick complained bitterly.

Brian chuckled. "Looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning."

"Lately he’s been waking up on the wrong side of the bed quite often. Maybe he needs to switch beds," Kevin teased.

Nick rolled his eyes at the corny attempt of a joke. "Whatever... This tour has got me worn out. You guys are too damn perky. I just want to go back home."

AJ shrugged. "Personally, I wouldn’t mind traveling some more. It’s not like I have much to go back home to..."

"AJ, you know that’s not true," Brian said knowing that AJ was referring to his latest break up.

"It’s true... With this job it’s impossible to have a relationship," AJ replied, then he smiled, "Might as well party the world away!"

“It wasn’t meant to be, AJ,” Howie commented.

AJ rolled his eyes. “Obviously,” he agreed, “And it won’t be ‘meant to be’ for awhile. A long while. No girl is going to sit around and wait for you while you’re on tour for months at a time, and I don’t blame her. People drift apart if you’re not around. I’m calling relationships quits for now. Why bother? It’s pointless.”

“Someone sounds a little bitter,” Nick observed.

AJ shrugged. “Whatever... I’m just being realistic. But, hey, just because I don’t want relationship doesn’t mean I’m not looking for a good time. I’m 20 years old! I’ve got my whole life ahead of me to ‘settle down.’ I just want to have fun.”

The guys looked at each other knowing it was a lost cause. Kevin sighed. “Well then, man, I hope you have the time of your life.” ____________________________________________________

“Are you almost ready? Brian asked Nick, who was preparing the camera.

Nick nodded. “Yeah... I’m just fixing something...” he answered as JQ and Howie walked in the room from the kitchen.

“I mean, I know I’m the maid of honor and everything, and I’m ecstatic for AJ and Lexie, but I hate weddings!” she told Howie.

“Here we go again,” Nick mumbled.

“Thank you! Finally! Someone who sees where I’m coming from,” he agreed

“They are such a constant reminder that I am alone.”

“Tell me about it.. Story of my life,” JQ said, “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.”

“I know... And why is everyone always so lovey-dovey at weddings? It’s sickening to my stomach.”

“Oh will you guys shut up, already! You’ve been complaining about this all day. ” Nick interrupted, “You’re alone... Get over it!”

Brian laughed. “All day? More like the last eight months.”

“Are you kidding me? They’ve been going on like this every second of their single lives,” bridesmaid, Melissa, piped up. Then, she glanced at her watch, “Hey, can we hurry this up. I’ve got things to do.”

“It’s easy for you guys, you all have some one,” Howie pointed out.

“Yeah, even Lexie’s little sister, Amy, and her friend Laura have someone,” JQ added.

“Uh, JQ, they’re not 15 anymore,” Mel pointed out. Mel and JQ had known Amy and Laura since they’re first year at Tampa State, when they met Lexie. JQ and Lex dormed together and Mel was right across the hall. JQ couldn’t help thinking of the two girls as the two little 15 years old they were when they first met. “They’re 19.”

JQ shrugged. “Whatever, they have someone and we don’t. That’s the bottom line.”

“Okay, ready!” Nick exclaimed.

Mel let out a great sigh. “Thank God... Now they have to be quiet,” she replied with a teasing smile.

Mel gave herself a double check in the mirror. Her pin straight, shoulder length brown hair framed her face perfectly, extenuating her bright blue eyes. She quickly took a seat next to Brian on the couch. “Action!” Nick said.

Brian waved at the camera. “Hi AJ.. Hi Lex.. It’s Brian here,” he began.

“And Mel, one of your four bridesmaids,” Melissa added cheerfully.

“Man, I can’t believe you guys are getting married. Especially you, AJ. I mean, I’ve known for about eight years now.. I don’t know, I lost track. But, I’ve still known you for a long time. Hell, I lived with you! Lexie, you’ve got yourself a pretty good husband there. At least, when it comes to housework. He cleans up pretty well. I should know, I have first hand experience... Let’s just hope you can handle him better than I could.”

Mel chuckled. “Well, Lexie, I’ve known you for five years and you’ve been a great friend through it all. I just hope your marriage is as strong as our friendship. You’ve got quite a guy there... He’s really something special... It took you while to train him to be like that, but you did it,” she joked.

Brian nodded. “Yup, I have to admit, you did a pretty good job. AJ, you’ve got an awesome girl... Uh, excuse me, lady... Sorry, Lexie, I know how you are about that,” he teased, “You know AJ, I’m impressed... I didn’t think you’d end up with a woman this extraordinary. You better treat her right... She might not have any brothers, but I’ll hop in as a substitute...”

“Please, we don’t need him. We can take AJ ourselves!” Mel joked, “But, I doubt we’ll need to. But, hey, it works both ways. Be good to him, you’ve put him through enough already... I have to admit it, I didn’t really think you’d make this far for awhile...”

“Is that like the running theme for this video?” Nick piped up.

Brian chuckled, then continued. “AJ, you weren’t the first of us to get married,” he said holding up the ring on his finger, “But, at least you’re not the last,” he pointed out, looking straight at Howie, “Three down, two more to go... Personally, I’ve got my money on Nick...”

Howie gave Brian a thumbs up. “Thanks, man,” he replied sarcastically.

Mel giggled. “Well, I might not be married, but I do have a ring on my finger,” she said wiggling her right hand, “Derek and I aren’t in any rush... Not like you guys were, quite the contrary... My God, Lexie, after all this time I still can’t believe you’re getting married!”

“Tell me about it... We’ve certainly been through a lot over the years, AJ. The tours, the fights, seeing each other 24/7... There were morning I just didn’t want to look at you. And we made it. We’ve become like brothers. If you ever need to hide from the hells... Uh, I mean, overwhelming blesses... I love you, Leigh,” Brian said trying to make up for his error.

Mel chuckled. “Great save there, Brian,” she teased, “Looks like someone’s going to be sleeping on the couch for awhile.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” Nick added.

“Hey, Nick, you’re going to edit this tape for first, right?” Brian asked.

Nick nodded. “Yeah... But what I edit is another story,” he answered with a devilish smile.

“Umm, as much as I’d love to mock Brian about his two years of wedded ‘bliss,’ can we continue this?” Howie interrupted.

“Oh yeah... Sorry,” Mel apologized.

“Don’t worry guys, marriage isn’t that bad... Everyone says the first year is always the hardest, and I hope to God they’re right! Because if they’re wrong...”

Mel lightly elbowed Brian. “Not helping your case....”

“Oh, thanks,” Brian replied, “I’m just kidding... So far it’s only gotten better. Hey, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. You guys have been through enough bad times to know how to get through them.”

Mel nodded. “I’ll say...”

“You know, I was there the first time you guys met,” Brian remembered.

Mel chuckled. “Oh yeah... I remember that... That was quite a night.”

Brian nodded. “Tell me about it... AJ had convinced me, actually more like conned me, into going clubbing with him one night since he couldn’t get anyone else to go with him...” ____________________________________________________

“Man, AJ, I can’t believe you got me to go clubbing with you,” Brian complained as the two BSB members walked into a club, “You’ve been partying like there’s no tomorrow lately. You need to settle down.”

AJ rolled his eyes. “If I wanted a lecture I would have brought Kevin,” he shot back, “Give me a break. You’re...”

“Only young once,” they said in unison.

“I’ve heard that phrase from you one time too many,” Brian commented, “If you ask me, it seems like you’re trying to party yourself into old age.”

AJ looked around the club and gave Brian and devious smile. “Well, it’s a good thing nobody asked you.”

******

JQ, Mel, Faye, and Lexie entered the club and went straight to the dance floor. About an hour into the night Lexie and JQ headed to the bathroom. When they were almost there AJ accidentally bumped into Lexie.

“Sorry,” he apologized kind of rushed.

Lexie shrugged and smiled. “Don’t worry about it,” she said batting her eye lashes. Then, she turned around and headed toward the restrooms.

JQ rolled her eyes. Ever since Lexie’s broken heart, she had become the undeniable expert on flirting.

AJ smiled and stared as Lexie headed to the ladies room. She had long, reddish brown hair and sparkling emerald green eyes. She stood about 5’7 and 125 lb.. She had a great figure, a dancer’s body with long, luscious legs. In short, she was gorgeous.

About an hour later Lexie was getting some sodas at the bar. As she began skimming for their table she accidenlty bumped into someone from behind.

“Ow,” they said at the same time.

They both quickly turned around only to see the same person they had bumped into earlier. This time it was Lexie’s turn to check him out. With all those people she didn’t realize just how good looking he was. He had short, curly hair that was died red. He wore dark sunglasses to that added an aura of mystery to him. He had a couple of tattoos, which only fascinated Lexie, making her wonder what each one signified.

“I guess it’s my turn to apologize,” she stated, “Sorry.”

AJ gave her a flirtatious smile. “That’s okay.. What goes around, comes around...”

Lexie giggled. “Hopefully it’ll come around again, “she replied brazenly. Then, she turned around and headed toward her table, feeling AJ’s eyes on her as she walked away.

“Who’s that?” Brian asked AJ, bringing him out of his trance.

“I don’t know... But I wouldn’t mind finding out...”

“What stopped you?” he inquired.

AJ shrugged. “I don’t know...”

“She’s quite a flirt,” Brian commented, “Could it be that AJ has finally met his match.”

AJ snorted. “Please, B-Rok,” he replied, “The night is still young..”

Brian sighed. “I hope not too young...”

AJ patted Brian on the back. “Lighten up, man. We’re here to have fun.”

Brian shook his head. “No, you’re here to have fun,” he shot back, “I’m here because you dragged me.”

Faye, JQ, Lexie, and Mel were having the time of their lives dancing to the retro/pop/remix music, while AJ and Brian were also dancing their hearts out. Suddenly, Lexie and AJ bumped into each other, almost making the other person fall into the hordes of people. AJ was the first one to regain balance, and helped steady Lexie.

“Sorry,” they said in unison. They looked at each other and laughed thinking the same thing.

“Three’s a charm,” Lexie commented with a giggle.

AJ smiled. “Let’s prove the theory right,” he said as he held out his hand to her, “Hi, I’m AJ.”

“Alexandra,” she replied with a smile, “but you can just call me Lexie, Alex, or Alexa.”

“Well, Lexie it’s a pleasure to meet you,” AJ commented, “I’ve been wanting to all night.”

Lexie batted her eyes lashes. “What stopped you the first two times?”

“Intimidation... Can you blame me with such a beautiful girl to behold?”

Lexie giggled. “No, I guess I can’t,” she replied, “And I’m not a girl, I’m a woman.”

Brian made eye contact with Mel, who was also watching this disgusting display of flirting. Brian stuck his tongue out at them and rolled his eyes, forcing Mel to stifle a laugh.

“Oh, well I apologize,” continued AJ, “you are very right... Since this is the third time we’ve bumped into each other I feel obligated to buy you a drink.”

“Obligated?” Lexie repeated.

“Actually I’m just using that as an excuse to get to know you better,” AJ admitted with a smile.

Lexie chuckled. “Well, since you’re obligated, I guess that means I can’t resist.”

AJ motioned his hands to the bar and gave her flirtatious smile. “Well, then by all means...” ___________________________________________________

Lexie snuggled closer to what she thought was her pillow. However, sleepily, she noticed that her pillow wasn’t as soft and fluffy as usual. She slowly opened her eyes and looked up to see the side of a man’s face. She closed her eyes again and snuggled closer.. ‘Whoa! A man’s face!’ she thought to herself, finally letting it register.

“What? What the hell???” AJ replied half awake. He was alert enough to notice that there wasn’t a bed underneath him, but sand. He looked around seeing an ocean in front of him, instead of his dresser.

The gnawing pain in Lexie’s head began to grow... Hangover... She began to massage her forehead, hoping it would help the pain go away. “Oh my God...” she mumbled, then she spoke louder, “What happened??? What are we doing here?”

AJ placed his hand on his head, motioning that he also had a pounding headache. “I have no idea...” he answered, “But I know there was alcohol...”

“No shit,” Lexie replied sarcastically. She was not in the mood for jokes. Her stomach just began flipping and turning in the most nauseating way.

“Not a morning person,” AJ teased through his own pain.

Lexie couldn’t help but chuckle, but she quickly stopped when it only augmented her headache.

“Umm, who are you?” AJ asked.

“Who am I?! Who are you?” Lexie shot back.

“Wait... Didn’t I meet you at that dance club yesterday?”

Lexie closed her eyes trying to remember. “Oh yeah...” she replied, “You offered to buy me a drink...”

AJ looked over at her, she was obviously experiencing a major hangover, like himself. “Evidently one too many,” he commented, making her give him a slight smile, “Do you have any recollection to what happened last night?”

Lexie closed her eyes trying to remember. She began to moving her tongue around her mouth... “I’m remembering vodka and rum... Oh, and tequila... And some beer... But after that, I go blank.”

AJ lightly chuckled and moved his tongue around his mouth to see what he tasted. “Oh, and you forgot Sex on the Beach...”

“What?!” Lexie exclaimed.

“The drink,” he assured her, “The alcoholic beverage... Not us.”

Lexie sighed. “Oh... Okay,” she replied relieved. There was a long pause. “You don’t think we...??”

Neither of them could remember what happened the night before, so it could have happened. AJ gave Lexie a long, pensive look. Then, he looked around the beach. “No,” he concluded, “We’re both fully clothed, with our clothes in order. As drunk as we were it would have been virtually impossible for us to put our clothes on this correctly.”

Lexie nodded. AJ was right. “Thank God,” she murmured.

“So, is this the first time this has happened to you?” AJ asked.

Lexie shook her head. “No.. This sort of thing happens all the time...” she answered sarcastically.

AJ chuckled. “How many times?” he joked, “Let’s see if you’re more experienced than I am.”

Lexie giggle through her pain. Then, she held out her hand to him. “Hi, my name is Alexandra Covington. I’m called every nickname in the book.”

AJ smiled and shook her hand. “I’m Alexander James,” he said, “Everyone calls me AJ.”

Lexie nodded. “Since I couldn’t remember your name, I was pretty sure that you had no clue who I was.”

“Good call,” he replied with a smile as he let go of her hand.

Lexie continued massaging her forehead. “So, AJ are you in as much pain as I am?”

"Worse.”

Lexie lifted an eyebrow. “I doubt that.”

“There’s a McDonalds around the corner from here. Why don’t we get a cup of coffee or something,” AJ suggested, “On me.”

Lexie sighed. “Sure, why not?”

AJ slowly got up. Then, he held out his hand and helped Lexie up. She got a small dizzy spell.

“Whoa,” AJ said as he helped steady her, “Looks like you got up a little too fast.”

“Yeah, I guess so,” she mumbled.

They began heading off to the McDonalds, AJ assisting Lexie, who was becoming more nauseated with every step. Suddenly, she pushed AJ aside and threw up on the sand. AJ ran over to her and helped hold her up and stroked her hair has she vomited.

“It’s okay...” he whispered in her ear.

When she finished puking she turned to AJ and looked him in the eye. “Thank you.”

“It’s the least I could do... I am the one who bought you the drinks... I think.”

Lexie chuckled. “It was my choice to drink like a moron,” she replied, then she glanced at her vomit, “It must have been one hell of a night.”

AJ took a quick glimpse at the throw up. “Well, we know there was peanuts.”

Lexie gave a slight chortled. “Well, I feel a little better now,” she stated, “A little...”

AJ held out his hand to her. “Come on, let’s get some coffee or something,” he said, “I can’t remember a damn thing, but I know it was a long night...” ____________________________________________________

“This year I’m determined to catch the bouquet,” JQ told Howie and Nick as they waited for Nikki who was next on the video.

“You really believe in that?” Nick asked.

JQ nodded. “Well not catching it obviously hasn’t been working for me... I need all the help I can get.”

Nick rolled his eyes. He was sick of these two complaining about their sadly single lives. “Oh please!” he exclaimed, “I’ve got news for you, not catching the bouquet has nothing to do with your single status.”

Howie shook his head and chuckled as JQ’s eyes widened with anger. “Bad move, man....”

Nick quickly realized his mistake. “I didn’t mean it like that,” he insisted.

“Oh really?....” JQ asked sarcastically.

“You, ah, didn’t let me finish,” he continued, trying to save himself, “Not catching the bouquet has nothing to do whit your single status... It has to do with your breathtaking beauty and magnetic personality that intimidates guys.”

By now Howie was laughing hysterically. “Good save, man.. I almost believed you,” he commented between giggles.

Now JQ turned to Howie and gave him an evil look. When Howie caught her eyes he quickly stopped laughing. “Would you like to repeat that?” she asked coldly.

Howie shook his head scared. “No, I don’t think so...” JQ’s evil look didn’t budge. “Come on... Lighten up... I was just kidding... Hey, we’re on the same team here. I’m just as depressingly single as you are.”

JQ chuckled. “Actually, you’re even more depressingly single than I am... You’re two years more, to be exact.”

Nick and JQ laughed uncontrollably at the joke. Howie wasn’t impressed. “That wasn’t funny.”

“Yes it was.. Come on.. Lighten up.. I was just kidding,” she retorted, imitating Howie.

Howie tried to keep a straight face, but staring at JQ’s radiant smile and beaming green eyes, he couldn’t help but let the giggles seep through. Then, JQ joined in on his laughter. Nick looked at them confused. It was like they shared a secret he knew nothing about.

“What’s so funny?” he asked.

JQ shook her head, while laughing. “I have no idea.”

Howie shrugged. “Beats the heck out of me,” he replied between giggles.

Nick looked at the two laughing hyenas like they were crazy. “You guys act like an old married couple,” he commented rolling his eyes.

This only made JQ laugh harder. “Us? Married?” she stated, unable to stop laughing at the thought.

Howie looked over at JQ who was laughing hysterically. “I know!” Howie agreed uneasily as he continued to laugh, “Nick I think you seriously need to see a psychiatrist.”

“You guys are laughing like crazy over nothing and I’m the one who needs to see a psychiatrist?” he inquired in disbelief.

Suddenly, Nikki came bursting through the door. Her shoulder-length Asian hair was flying everywhere. “Sorry I’m lat---” she began, but stopped herself when she noticed the hordes of laughter.

“What’s so funny?” she asked Nick, who had a slightly fed up look on his face.

“They don’t know,” he replied annoyed.

“Hey guys!” Nikki exclaimed getting everyone’s attention and forcing the laughter to end, “What’s so funny?”

Howie and JQ looked at each other and shrugged. “Who knows?” JQ replied.

Nikki looked at them completely lost. “Damn, they’re weird,” she said to Nick, who just nodded his head in agreement. “Anyway, I apologize for being late. There was horrible traffic...”

Howie shrugged. “No big deal.

“Speak for yourself,” Nick retorted, “I was force to be stuck in a room alone with you two... The sad and single.”

Nikki patted Nick on the back. “Poor baby...” she replied.”

JQ rolled her eyes. “Whatever... Can we get this show on the road?”

“Gladly,” Nick answered, “Nikki, sit over there and we’ll get started.” Nikki obeyed Nick’s orders. “Action!”

“Hi, Lex and AJ.. It’s Nikki here. I know what you’re thinking, ‘How is the older and wiser going to advice me?..’ Well, get your mind out of the gutter because I’m not that old!”

“How old, exactly, are you?” Nick interrupted.

Nikki gave him a cold look. “Old enough not to have to tell.”

“31,” JQ coughed for everyone to hear.

“That’s right, JQ, and also married with a child... But you know I was once 25. And as I recall, when I was 25 I had a boyfriend,” Nikki shot back.

“Ow!” Nick exclaimed, “I bet that made Howie feel pretty small considering he’s 28 and single.”

“Thank you, Nick,” Howie said sarcastically, “Can we continue this?”

“Alright...” Nikki replied, “I can’t believe you’re getting married, Lex. I practically watched you grow, and I’d like to think I helped along the way. No one believes me, but I’ve got the white hairs to prove it! The things you girls would try to get away with in my dorm, but you never did.. I always caught on--”

JQ sprayed the water she was drinking in Howie’s direction, who quickly moved away. “Ha!” she exclaimed. Nikki raised her eyebrow at her. “Oh, um, I’m sorry.. Nevermind... Go on...”

“See, it’s girls like you that I blame the little gray strands for...”

[ part 02 ]