I tried to protest, but it was no use.  Once Nick had an idea in his head, there was no stopping him.  He pulled me across the hall, to where AJ and Howie slept.  Taking out the spare key they'd given him, he opened the door quietly and tugged at my arm, beckoning me to come inside with him.  Slowly and silently, we crept into AJ's section of the suite, to where he was sleeping soundly.  Every few seconds we could here him snore, and his nose would twitch, but he was definitely asleep.  Nick motioned for me to turn on the lights, but I refused.  I whispered "I'm not having any part of this; it's your score to settle."  To further illustrate my point, I plopped down in the chair opposite AJ's bed.
 
    Nick shrugged his shoulders, and went over to the light switch.  Changing his mind at the last minute, he pulled a flashlight out of one of AJ's drawers instead and snuck back over to the bed.  Carefully, he reached over and lifted one of AJ's eyelids, and quickly flicked the flashlight on, shining it into his eye.  "Where do you get off kissing my girl?" he barked.
 
    Well, what followed was a sight to see, let me tell you.  AJ bolted upright, looking like he'd just crapped his pants.  Nick let go of him, until AJ could absorb what was happening.  When he finally realized who had woken him up, he looked even more scared, if that was possible.  Nick went over and turned the lights on.  He went back to AJ and grabbed him the back of his neck.  "Start talking, butt head."
 
    AJ sniffled, took a swipe at his nose and struggled to answer.  "I...I...I...I'm sorry!"
 
    "You damn well better be, moron.  What's going on with you lately?  First the thing with Jill, now this.  Have you lost it or something?" Nick was shaking.  I could see how mad he was from the way he was gripping AJ's shoulders so tightly.
 
    "Ok Nick, that's enough.  Let's do this my way and talk rationally, ok?"  I stood up and gently eased Nick away from AJ.  AJ rubbed his shoulders where Nick's hands had been, and started to climbed out of bed.  Nick scowled at him and snarled, "Put some pants on, Bone.  You already kissed her, you don't need to give her a free show yet too."
 
    "What's going on in here?"  Howie stumbled into the room, rubbing his eyes and yawning.  He stopped when he saw the angry look on Nick's face.  "Is it just me, or is it a little tense in here?"
 
    I sighed.  "It's not just you.  C'mon D., I think you and I should go into the other room while Nick and AJ have a calm, rational talk."  I emphasized the last few words and glanced pointedly at Nick.  He rolled his eyes, and then Howie and I went back to his room.
 
    "You gonna tell me what's going on, or do I have to guess?"  Howie sat down on his bed and patted the spot beside him.  I sat down next to him, and looked down at my hands.
 
    "It's my fault they're fighting, I mean, it's because of me."  Howie looked confused, so I kept going.  "See, AJ told me he had a little ‘crush' on me, and then he, well, he kissed me, and now Nick knows, and basically wants to beat the crap out of AJ..."  Howie's eyes opened wide and he started to get up.
 
    "Where are you going?" I asked him.
 
    "To save AJ's life!" he responded, but I grabbed him before he could go.
 
    "It's ok Howie, Nick won't do anything.  He promised."  He looked unconvinced, but I stood my ground.  "Trust me, I'm sure it'll be fine."
 
    "Alright, alright, I trust you.   In fact, I trust you enough that I'm going to attempt at going back to sleep.  Are you gonna stay here till they're done?"
 
    I nodded.  "That would probably be the best decision for all the parties involved."
 
    He laughed.  I tried to look as if I wasn't worried, but it didn't work.  Howie noticed when my attempt at a carefree laugh failed, and made his way over to me.  "Hey," he said softly, as he reached out and with his finger and tilted my chin up so that I was looking into his eyes.  "You gonna be ok?"
 
    I swallowed and nodded.  "It's just a lot of stress right now.  I haven't been able to relax for a long time, and I think it's getting to me."
 
    "Why don't you go back and try to get some rest?  I'll make sure Mike Tyson and Rocky over there don't get too rowdy."
 
    I grinned at him and gave him a long hug.  "Thanks D.," I whispered, "I'm lucky to have you for a friend."
 
    "Any time."
 

    **About an hour later**

     "I didn't know you smoked!" Nick exclaimed when he stepped out on the balcony adjoining to his room.  I whirled around and my face flushed.
 
    "Uh, not often.  I mean, I'm not addicted or anything, but sometimes it helps me relax when I'm stressed."
 
    He shook his head as I took a drag.  "That's bad for you, y'know."
 
    I rolled my eyes and exhaled.  "Yeah, I know.  I've heard it all before."  I pointed to the warning on the pack, which read ‘Smoking can kill you'.  "And this reminds me every time I go for another.  But it still helps."  I paused to take another drag.  "Haven't you ever tried it?"
 
    "Once, when I was about 15.  AJ used to smoke all the time, and he let me try it.   I started coughing so much that he never let me try again.  That was ok with me though, I never really had any desire to do it after that."
 
    I took a long look at his face as I finished the cigarette.  He didn't really look upset, but he didn't look content either.  I crushed the rest of the evil butt out with my shoe, then turned back to Nick.  "So, how did it go with you and AJ?"
 
    He smiled ruefully and raised his eyebrow.  "Don't you mean, ‘How many punches got thrown' or ‘Who hit the ground first'?"
 
    I wrapped my arms around him and leaned my head against his chest.  "Seriously, though."
 
    "Seriously, it went well.  I had a few, er, choice words for him, but he apologized and promised it wouldn't happen again.  He actually wants to apologize to you too."
 
    I pulled away from him and glanced at my watch.  "Now?  It's almost 3:30 in the morning!"
 
    "Yeah, but if we get it over with now, then everyone can rest easy.  Besides, we don't have to leave until after one tomorrow.  We'll have plenty of time to sleep."
 
    "I don't care.  I'm tired now, and there is absolutely no way I'm going back there tonight.  Tough darts, dude."  I swung myself around and headed back inside.  "I'm going back to my room to get a long, peaceful sleep.  Goodnight sweetie."  I stood on my tiptoes to kiss him, and then went back to my room.
 

    ***At the same time***

     Brian sat up on the couch.  He looked over at Lindy and smiled, brushing the hair off of her face as he leaned down to kiss her forehead.  ‘She's so beautiful' he thought, getting up slowly so as not to wake her up.  He turned off the tv and started into the bathroom, only to be interrupted by a loud knock on the door.  ‘Who could that be at this hour?' he wondered.  Starting toward the door, he looked over his shoulder as he heard Lindy stirring.  "It's ok, you go back to sleep.  I'll take care of whoever it is."  Lindy yawned as she nodded and watched Brian walked to the door.
 
    "Who is it?" he called.
 
    "A friend of Lindy's" came the muffled reply.
 
    Brian looked over at Lindy, who shrugged.  He turned back to open the door and heard Lindy gasp as she recognized the guy standing there.
 
    "JC, what are you doing here?!"
 
 

Chapter Twenty-Seven
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