The second that Nick and I got onto the plane, my head fell over onto his shoulder. We had spent a good twenty minutes trying to divert ourselves from fans.

I didn't think that we would even be seen because Nick wore a hat to cover his eyes and so did I, but then again, Nick had already introduced me to the fan base as being his girlfriend.

Each time I would go online to chat with some of my friends, I found new websites that had pictures of me with Nick, but I never expected to find any discouraging remarks about myself because I was never mean to a fan. I was actually nicer to them than anyone else, because I was in their position once.

I would actually stop Nick from running so he could sign some autographs and he would always groan, but I would kiss him on the cheek to put him in better spirits.

However, I guess no matter what you did, you were always pinned with a bad name if you were the girlfriend of a Backstreet Boy. I would go into Backstreet chat rooms and people would be going, " Oh my god! Did you see how that skank was dressed? I mean, God, how can Nick like her? "

I would often look down at what I was wearing and I didn't think that I was wearing anything revealing, but unconvinced, I would turn to Nick. " Nick, am I wearing distasteful clothing? "

" Um, last time I checked, no? " He looked confused. " Why? "

" Oh, no reason. " I decided to leave things be.

" Lauren, how many times do I have to tell you? " Nick would look at me and put down whatever he was messing with. " Fans are gonna say stuff, but you can't take all of it to heart, okay? " Then, he would come over and kiss me on the forehead, taking all of my troubles away.

*~*

However, this day at the airport was unusual. I guess the fans had noticed that Nick wasn't with the other four and they figured he would be coming later. I simply held onto my hat as Q ushered us around in every which way, trying to avoid mayhem.

When we managed to get onto the plane, my first thought was sleep. I hadn't gotten much sleep last night because Nick and I were up talking about a whole bunch of things. I plopped down in the window seat next to Nick and let my head fall on his shoulder the second he got settled.

" Gee, someone tired? " Nick smiled and kissed me on the forehead as he put his arm around me.

" Just a tad, wee bit! " I grinned and closed my eyes.

Nick gently caressed the side of my neck and my forehead with his hand. He rested his head on top of mine and softly whispered. " Do you remember the first time we met on one of these things? "

I smiled, with my eyes still shut. " Um hmm. " I laughed. " You were the guy of my dreams and I had no idea who the hell you were. "

" Yeah, I'm still trying to understand that.." Nick chuckled softly.

" Well, you're a lot different when you actually meet you face to face. It's not as if

I was talking to some poster again. " I grinned.

Nick laughed. " You talked to your posters? "

" Hey! " I sat up and playfully smacked him in the arm. " Shut up! "

" Hahahaha, " Nick continued to laugh. " I think that's funny. "

" Yeah, well you're funny looking! " I stuck my tongue out at him.

" Okay, if I'm so funny looking, why are you dating me? " Nick stuck his tongue back out at me.

" Errrm, " I thought for a second. " Oh hush Mr. Maturity. " I shut my eyes again and lay my head back down on Nick's shoulder.

Nick continued to gently play with my hair and whispered a few sweet thoughts to me every now and then. After about an hour, he kissed me on the forehead and whispered in my ear, " Get some rest. You'll need it. " I silently agreed and fell asleep for the rest of the flight.

I suppose Nick had fallen asleep too, because we were both awoken by the sound of a stewardess, complaining. " Um, sir? Madam? Your flight has arrived! "

She gently shook Nick who awkwardly opened his eyes.

" Oh wow, sorry. " Nick turned to me and gently shook me. When I didn't respond, he lifted my head with two fingers and kissed me for a few minutes.

Needless to say, I was awake by now. " Umm, did I sleep too long? " I rubbed my eyes and smiled at Nick.

" I think we both did. " Nick yawned and took hold of my hand. " But if we don't get off this plane soon, they're gonna kick us out on our butts! " Nick smiled.

" All right, let's go! " I grinned and nearly killed Nick dragging him off the plane because I was eager to see Italy.

" Slow down, Hun. We have all the time in the world. " Nick stopped me and pulled me close to kiss him. We pulled apart and found Q amongst the crowd.

" Austin's getting your bags so we can get you out here. The other guys and gals made it safely to the hotel about an hour ago. If we can get you in that limo quickly and efficiently, it'll be all good! " Q smiled, for one of the first times that I saw him and immediately began ushering us towards the limo that was waiting in the back of the airport.

Austin was one of Nick's best friends who had come on the tour as well. He was a nice guy and I was glad that I got to know him when I visited Nick in Florida.

" Oh my God! There he is! " The shrieks became louder decibel by decibel as more fans rushed towards us.

" Don't look back, just keep running! " Nick never let go of my hand and I had never remembered running as fast as we had that night.

The second we got into the limo, it immediately pulled away as Q practically jumped into the one behind us with Austin. Luckily, no one was hurt, but if the fans came to catch a glimpse of Nick, they had succeeded.

" Holy crap, where did all those people come from? " I sighed and sat back in the limo.

" It's Europe. We generate a lot more airport popularity over here. " Nick smiled and laughed a little.

Luckily, once we arrived at the hotel, there weren't many fans around and Nick happily signed a few autographs before we went inside.

One girl turned to me. She looked older than the rest and I figured she was maturer. " Are you Lauren? "

I smiled politely. " Yup, I am! "

" Oh hey! My name's Gretch! I don't know if you remember, but we used to talk on ICC? " She smiled as I recognized the familiarity of her name.

" Oh my gosh! I do! Duh! " I started laughing. " So you're over here to see the guys opening night, eh? "

" Yeah! I'm so psyche! " Gretch grinned. " How are things between you and Nick? I was really happy for ya when I heard the news! "

" Really? Well, I'm glad there is one fan happy for us! " I smiled at Nick who was still signing autographs.

" Naw, the whole list is happy for you! We could never wish bad luck to one of our fellow list members! " Gretch smiled. She was referring to the mailing list that we were both on for Backstreet Boys. Since I didn't have much time anymore, I hadn't been on it in a long while.

" How long are you in Italy for? "

" Um, I'm here for the show tomorrow night, but then I'm heading back home! " Gretch smiled.

I grinned. " I bet I could hook you up with a backstage pass or two, interested? "

" AH, yes! Thanks! " She smiled.

" It's cool. You can come into the hotel with us and meet the guys and I'll weasel one outta Nick. hehe. " I grinned slyly and she laughed.

" Thanks! I really appreciate it! " Gretch continued to smile as I explained to Q that she was a friend and I had asked her to come up with us. So Q agreed and we went into the hotel to check in. Austin was walking with us.

" Hey Aus, Nick, this is Gretch. " I introduced everyone.

" Um, hi..." Gretch smiled at Nick.

" Hey Gretch! You're a friend of Lauren's? " Nick smiled back politely.

" Um hmm, " She smiled some more.

" I'm Aus. " Austin extended his hand and Gretch shook it. " I am on this tour so that I can spend some time with this baboon " Nick and Austin started wrestling like tiny puppies.

" Oh stop! Aussie and Nicky, knock it off! " I groaned at them and Gretch laughed.

We managed to get to our rooms with no problems. Austin was staying in the room next to us and on the other side of us were Brian and Amanda. We dropped our stuff onto the floor and I started knocking on doors, asking the guys to come meet my friend.

" Huh? " AJ looked slightly out of it.

" Just come. " I rolled my eyes teasingly and dragged him back to my room where everyone else was.

" Sarah, Kevin, Howie, Tabby, AJ, Helen, Brian, and Amanda, this is Gretch! Us gals know her from the list! " I smiled as I introduced her.

" Oh yeah! We do know you! " Sarah, Tabby, Helen, and Amanda simultaneously agreed.

" Well, it's nice to meet you. " Brian smiled and everyone shook her hand.

" Psst, I got the backstage passes from Nick. " I grinned at Gretch and handed her two. " Is that enough? "

" It's plenty! " Gretch smiled. " Thanks! It was great meeting everyone, but I gotta get back to my own hotel and prepare for the concert tomorrow night! See ya all tomorrow! "

We waved as Gretch left and Q followed her out, just to ensure her safety. After everyone left our room, I collapsed onto the bed. Nick sat down next to me. " Still tired, babe? "

" Mmm, " I groaned. " Just a little. "

" It's okay. " Nick kissed me. " We can finish what we started this afternoon some other night. " He grinned.

" Um hmm, " I smiled. " Come here. " I pulled him onto me and turned out the light.

*~*

When we woke up the next morning, I rolled over and pecked Nick on the lips. " Come on, my little sleepy sweetheart. "

Nick rolled over the other way and ignored me with a groan. " No, not yet. "

" Yes, yet. " I gently started rubbing his shoulders and kissed the back of his neck.

" Argh, fine. " Nick rolled over to face me and reached his arms around my waist.

" Did I ever tell you how much I love you? " Nick grinned.

" I don't think so, but then again, I don't remember past anything from last night when I slept with that other guy. " I smiled, but Nick seemed uneasy. " Nick, I was kidding. I was with you last night, remember? " I looked at him oddly and he eased up.

" Yeah, Oh, yeah, I um, know. " Nick got out of the bed and I sat back, slightly baffled.

" Did I say something wrong? I'm sorry...I didn't know my joke would get you this upset.." I paused, awaiting his response.

" No, no. Sorry, I think I'm just not awake yet. I'm gonna go get in the shower. " Nick smiled at me and went into the bathroom.

" Oh, okay..." I still felt uneasy about the entire situation, but shrugged it off and shook my head.