"You're being awful quiet," said Kevin as he sat down beside Kassidy as she stared out the bus window.

"Oh hey," replied Kassidy.

"What's going on inside there," he asked pointing to her head.

"I'm just thinking about going home."

"And?"

"And...this had been an amazing experience. Thanks for letting us do this."

"It was no big deal" he replied.

"Kevin you guys could have sequestered us away from you. You welcomed us. Heck you let us stay on your bus."

"Kassidy you guys fit in. You didn't freak. You treated us like normal people. We don't get that often from people outside our little circle."

"I've seen you in the morning. You look very normal to me with your bed head," laughed Kassidy.

"I've seen your bed head too. And on that note I'm heading back for some sleep. It's takes a lot to get and keep the bed head look," joked Kevin.

He kissed Kassidy's cheek and headed to his bunk. Kassidy continued looking out the window. She heard the fridge open behind her. She turned to see Nick getting a bottle of water.

"Hey you. Can't sleep?"

"Nope, but its ok I slept really good the last two nights," answered Nick.

"You did? Even stuck with me," asked Kassidy.

Nick mumbled and blushed.

"What?"

"I said it was because you were there."

"Oh," said a stunned Kassidy. She looked at him for a minute then continued, "I slept really good too. This is our last night to sleep together. We might as well get some rest."

He smiled as he allowed her to lead him back to the bunks. He climbed in his and helped her up into it. It was tight but they snuggled close together and were out in five minutes.

The bus arrived in St. Louis and everyone moved from the bus to the rooms. Grace and AJ stayed in his room. Kassidy trusted both of them to behave just like they always had. Nick pulled Kassidy down the hall to his room and they slept peacefully.

Grace woke in AJ's arms. She smiled but it quickly became a frown. This was the last day with him and everyone else. Kassidy flew out first thing in the morning for Nashville and Grace was going back to her routine life that evening. She was so lost in thought that she didn't realize AJ was awake until he spoke.

"Pooh why are you frowning?"

"This is the last day."

"Shhh. We won't think about it. What time are your parents getting here?"

"Around 5:00 at the arena."

"OK. What do you want to do this morning?"

"I don't know."

"This is your time Pooh."

"I want to hang out with you and Kassidy."

"Done. Let's go wake her and Nicky up."

"OK."

They got up, dressed and went in search of their two friends. They called down to the front desk and gotten Nick's room number. They woke up their friends and ordered room service. The mood was subdued. They all knew there were merely hours remaining of their time together. AJ looked around Nick's room. He hadn't set up his video games. AJ realized his friend hadn't set them up in a few days. Kassidy really was having an affect on the guy.

"Grace," exclaimed her mother when she walked into the Green Room that afternoon.

"Mom," greeted Grace, running over to hug her parents. "Hi Dad."

"Hi sweetie. Did you have a good time," asked her father.

"I had a great time. Come meet everyone."

Grace led her parents around the room introducing them to everyone. When they met AJ, he told them he looked out for Grace and made sure she was OK. Her mother asked if she had any tattoos. Grace said no with just the right amount of indignation so that her mother wouldn't ask about piercings. Her parents watched their daughter interacting with everyone from BSB to the crew. She was bubbly and happy, not the quiet, reserved girl they were use to at home. They liked the change. Grace suppressed a giggle when she saw the looks on her parents' faces when everyone gathered for prayer and chant time before the show.

She led the way to the stage. Her parents had not expected to be so close. She got a kick out watching her parents "groove" to the music. During perfect fan, AJ hopped off the stage and brought Grace and her mother up. Grace watched her mom get misty during the song.

At the beginning of the first encore Kevin and Brian collected Grace and Kassidy. They introduced them to the crowd. They stayed and goofed with the guys during the introduction of the band and dancers. At the end of the first encore, they expected to go back to their seats, instead they found themselves pulled under the stage. Nick and AJ took their hands and led them back out for the final encore. Both, Kassidy and Grace were puzzled when microphones were placed in their hands. Kevin explained to the audience that Kassidy and Grace could both sing and the fellas had decided it was time for them share their talent. The look on the two women's faces was truly priceless. Brian told them they would never make it off the stage unless they sang. Kassidy and Grace exchanged glances then Kassidy informed everyone if the two of them tanked it was BSB's fault. The song started again and they sang. Even they had to admit they didn't do badly. The guys took over again, but they continued to sing on the chorus. When the guys broke it down at the end, they were surprised that Kassidy and Grace each added a harmony. As the center of the stage lowered they waved to the crowd with the rest of the guys. Once under the stage they were pulled into a group hug. Suddenly they were out from under the stage and heading backstage with the guys. Kassidy went with Howie and Grace with Brian. Grace was relieved to see her parents already in the back.

"Honey you were wonderful!"

"Thanks dad."

"You were good," agreed her mother. "You all were." "Thank you," replied Brian. "Let us get back to the hotel for the farewell party."

James suggested Kassidy, Grace and her parents go on back to the hotel in the Johnson's car. Once at the hotel, Kassidy kept her parent busy while Grace went upstairs and got her bags from AJ's room. Soon everyone else arrived and the party began. The mood was again subdued. Everyone talked and munched on the deli trays set out. Andre, the bands official photographer gathered everyone for a group picture. Grace and Kassidy again thanked everyone for being so nice and welcoming to them. Kevin then took over.

"It's been great having you guys with us. We were nervous when Denise first told us we would have people joining us for 2 weeks. You guys have been just great. We are going to miss you. Grace we also wanted to give you something."

Brian interrupted, "And we thought and thought about what to get you."

"And we came up with this," finished AJ moving to reveal a 2-track tape machine.

Grace was stunned, but found her voice. "Guys I can't accept it. It's too much, but thank you so much."

"No you have to take it," started Nick. "We can't take it back."

Howie said, "Grace honestly we want you to have it. It would make us very happy."

Grace looked at her parents and they nodded. She launched herself at the nearest Boy, which happened to Howie.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! This means so much to me."

Next she hugged Kevin, then Brian, who said, "Remember you will have to send me demos of the music you're writing."

"Deal."

Grace moved on to hug Nick and AJ. Grace's mother noticed that her daughter seemed to hug AJ a bit longer than the others and quizzed Kassidy.

"Tell me about AJ and my daughter."

"I think they became really good friends."

"How old is he again?"

"He's 22. Now don't let his appearance and stage demeanor throw you. In reality he is a big softy. He was nothing but a gentleman with your daughter. He loves to talk and she's a great listener."

"I see. Good."

Soon it was time for Grace to leave. They were driving back to Springfield that night. AJ made sure he had her phone number and everything. Kassidy walked them out to the car. Grace's parents thanked her for taking care of their daughter, then got in the car, giving the friends a chance to say goodbye.

"So I will see you online tomorrow night," said Kassidy.

"Yeah. I'm sorry I can't go with you to the airport in the morning."

"It's OK. I think I can manage. Although you are the wise one," joked Kassidy.

"I'm glad we finally got to meet."

"Me too. Have fun at school on Monday."

"Yeah. Whoopee," chuckled Grace.

"Honey we need to go," said her father then put his window back up.

"Well let's not get mushy here. I will talk to you tomorrow night," said Kassidy, hugging the girl.

"Yeah talk to you tomorrow night."

Grace climbed in the car and Kassidy watched until it was out of sight.

She turned to walk back into the hotel.

"That is her. I told you it was them," said a girl running up to Kassidy.

"Hello," said Kassidy.

"You were on stage with BSB tonight."

"Yep. You were there I take it."

"Yeah. You are SO lucky. You've been hanging out with them for two weeks."

"I won't lie, it's been fun."

"So what are they like," asked another girl in the group of 15 that now surrounded Kassidy.

"They really are like everyone else."

"So have you met any of the girlfriends?"

"I've met a lot of people. I did meet Brian and Kevin's fiancées."

"What about the other guys? Nick," asked another girl.

"I won't talk about their personal lives. I did mention Kristen and Leighanne, because it is public knowledge that Kevin and Brian are engaged. Other than that I won't discuss it."

"Well that's no fair and you're being a bitch if you don't tell us."

"And that behavior right there is why I won't discuss them. You all have a great night."

Kassidy had been inching her way to the door of the hotel during the entire conversation. She ducked in quickly and hotel security kept the girls from getting inside. She headed back to the banquet room to find the party breaking up. Kevin walked over and threw his arm around her shoulder.

"Kassidy we wanted to give you something too, but had no idea what to get."

"That's fine Kevin. I wasn't expecting anything. The time with you guys was present enough."

"I'm going up to bed. Wake me up in the morning, so I can say goodbye."

"OK. Night Kevin and thanks again," said Kassidy, standing on her tiptoes to hug him.

"Sure. Come back anytime. Hey Nick already headed up."

"He did?"

"I guess he figured he would let us have our time with you. After all, he is spending the whole night with you."

"What? How did you," asked an alarmed Kassidy.

"Dennis and AJ were never good at keeping something like you two sleeping together a secret."

"But Kevin we never."

Kevin interrupted, "I know. I know you well enough to know you don't do things like that and Nicky is too shy to really try something with a woman."

"Keep an eye on him for me. He's a great person. I wish he would realize it."

"We all do," said Kevin. "Night. See you in the morning."

He disappeared out of the room and others wandered out too. Brian, Leighanne and Howie all said good night. Finally, AJ wandered over. Kassidy said good night to everyone in the room and walked out with AJ.

"I think I'll call Grace tomorrow," stated AJ.

"Good."

"Kassidy you guys are a blast."

"Thanks Bone. You are too."

"You know we are coming to Nashville."

"You are? I haven't heard anything yet."

"Well that's cause nobody knows. We are going to the Bahamas to write then coming to Nashville to do some of the recording. Shhh!"

"I won't tell anyone. Well can I tell Grace?"

"You won't have to, because I'm telling her tomorrow. What do you think the odds are of her parents letting her come visit you when schools out?"

"I'm not sure, but I can work on it. When are you guys going to be in town?"

"June sometime, I will call you and let you know. Or Nicky will."

"Cool. Speaking of Nicky, we've reached my room for the evening."

"Yep. Stay cool Kassidy."

"You too AJ. Will I see you in the morning?"

"Most definitely."

They hugged and AJ trotted down the hall. Kassidy used her room key. Inside she found Nick sprawled out on the bed. He had dosed off waiting for her. She watched him sleep for a moment. Finally, she bent down and gently whispered in his ear.

"Nick."

"Hmmm," sighed Nick as he turned over to see her leaning over him. He reached up and pulled her to him. "I'm going to miss you."

"I'm going to miss you too."

Kassidy allowed him to pull her down on top of him. He just held her and they both drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, AJ woke them up. Kassidy showered and packed. Nick and AJ watched her get ready to leave.

"Stop it," said Kassidy.

"What," asked AJ.

"Stop it with the puppy dog faces. It's hard enough to leave without you two looking so pitiful."

"Sorry, but we really miss Grace," said Nick, suppressing a grin.

"I know you do, but go pout somewhere else. You aren't going to miss me and I don't want to see those looks."

"Awww Kassi we are going to miss you too," said AJ.

"Thanks Bone. When did you started calling me Kassi?"

"Hell Michael called you Kassi."

"Yes, but she's my best friend."

"So now we aren't your friend?"

"No! You're a Backstreet Boy. Ewwww!"

"Very funny."

She rolled her eyes as she sighed, "Fine call me Kassi. Be back in a minute, promised Kevin a goodbye."

Kassidy knocked on Kevin's door. He answered in his boxers. Kassidy told him that he really had to stop doing things like this, because she was not responsible for her actions. He laughed and pulled her into a hug. As a joke she grabbed his butt. He yelped and she laughed. They said their good-byes and he went back to bed.

AJ left Nick and Kassidy alone to say goodbye in private.

"Nick I'm going to miss you. You are truly special. If you ever need me, I'm there. You ever need a place to hideout my door is open."

"Same goes for you," whispered Nick.

"Thanks. Now hug me before I cry or something."

Nick smiled and hugged her. Kassidy wrapped her arms around his neck and felt her feet leave the ground. After a minute he sat her down gently.

"Nick be happy," she said and gently kissed his lips. "Bye."

"Bye."

Kassidy walked out of the room with her bags. AJ took them and walked her to the lobby. She turned in the room key. AJ put her stuff in a waiting cab. They hugged then she was gone.