Chapter 10

"C'mon Brian one more time?" Dr. Fuji asked Brian in the last couple minutes of his physical therapy.

"I'm trying, I really am." Brian told her as he worked to take a step. He didn't realize learning to walk would be so hard. For the last hour and a half he concentrated on standing, and now he balanced with the help of 2 parallel bars.

"Ok, Brian that's it for today, you have that interview to go to anyway." Dr. Fuji said helping him back to his wheelchair. "Brian, listen, I've talked with your family and your wife, and I don't see any reason for you to need to stay here much longer. I've decided that you can leave under strict circumstances. 1) You must have constant care at all times. 2) you can NOT, under any circumstances, be left alone to practice your therapy. 3) You must promise to practice everyday even if we don't have a session that day and 4) You family has to make it accountable for you to live there. Understand?"

"Yes, of course. When can I leave?" Brian said looking to the door. He saw Jamie there and completely forgot he had to talk to him.

"Well, you can't leave until we get everything clear and your family and I work out somethings, but you're free to go now for you interview." She said looking at Lance who was coming to help Brian.

"He Cuz!" Lance said, "Ready to go, the guys are at the press area waiting for you!"

"Hell yeah! Let's go!" Brian said as they both left.

The guys sat there on the stage waiting for Brian and Lance to come. They were late and had to start the press conference.

"I hope everythings ok," Howie whispered to A.J. who was seated beside him.

"I'm sure everything is fine." A.J. said. "Just wait."

"What are you talking about?" Howie said, but A.J. just smiled. Howie turned and saw Brian and Lance coming from behind the stage to where Brian would be sitting. Howie just looked at A.J. confused.

"I saw them pass the door." A.J. said pointing to the door to their left.

"Funny," Howie said.

Lance got Brian all set with a microphone and a bottle of water. He looked exhausted, but everyone knew he had just gotten out of therapy.

Once Lance left, Brian knew he was in for it, and he was. Hands started poping up everywhere just waiting to answer their questions.

Jamie, Val, and Brooke all watched the interview live at the station. Tyler and Hank were doing paperwork in the other room.

"Shouldn't you guys be helping Hank and Tyler?" Brooke asked.

"Actually, paperwork is your job Brooke." Jamie said. "And I'm interested in hearing what's going on with them."

"Why?" Val asked fearing what wierd answer he would come up with.

"Oh, no reason. I've just been trying to talk with Brian about something and he said he needed to talk with me, but we haven't gotten the time."

"Sorry I asked." Val said. "I'm going to go and help them two do Brooke's job."

"Yeah, yeah." Brooke said glued to the T.V.

As Val left Jamie decided to clue Brooke in on his plan.

"Brooke, I know you followed me the other day to see Brian."

"Yeah, um... I was interested in what you were doing. But I found something out. Justin is leaving! He's not staying like the rest of *NSync. He got really nervous and said he had to leave."

"Well, I don't care, I'm curious as to why it seems like there was another car involved. Wanna help me investigate?"

"Sure, maybe this Justin thing has something to do with it?"

"I don't think so, he probably misses his incredibly hot girlfried."

They both stopped and started watching the interview. Brian just announced that he would be coming home soon. That meant they had to work fast because once out of the hospital they would have almost no contact with him again.

(at the press conference)
"So Brian, you will be able to leave the hospital soon?" an interviewer asked.

"Yes, they will release me as soon as we have everything ready at home. I will still need to come for therapy, but at least I'll be with my family.

"What about Nick,"one asked.

Brian started to get sad, Nick would be the only one left at the hospital. Nick knew a secret Brian wanted and so did the other person.

"Nick..." Brian started, "Um... Nick.... will...still...be in the...hospital." Brian said right before he started to cry. His best friend just couldn't leave him. Not now, not ever.