Part Two

    "Just wait till I get my hands on that guy," Tiffany scowled as he hitched Jordie, her two year-old daughter up on her hip.
    Her mother Cindy just continued to stare at the closed elevator doors as it took them to the floor where her daughter was. She wasn't going to cry, she thought as she took a deep breath. Her eyes were already dried out with all the crying she did. "We'll just wait and see," she finally said.
    "Wait? For what? His ass is grass," she cursed.
    "Watch your language," Cindy said. "You're daughter picks up on things way too easily."
    Tiffany sighed. "Are you sure it was safe to leave the girls with Brandon?"
    "He'll just have to manage for a couple of nights," she said. "He's eighteen, he can handle it."
    "An eighteen year-old handling a seven and a four year old? That's iffy."
    "It was our only option," she said. "We'll be back soon with Natalie."
    The door opened and they walked down the hall to room 212. The doctor walked out as they approached the door. "You must be her family."
    "Yes, I'm her mother, Cindy Dawson," she said as she shook the mans hand. "And this is my other daughter, Tiffany."
    "Where's the guy that hit her?" Tiffany asked.
    The doctor cleared his throat. "He's inside."
    Their eye's widened. "He's in there with her?" Cindy asked.
    He nodded. "Haven't left her side," he said. "The guy is killing himself over this. I've been trying to tell him to go home and rest, but he wouldn't budge."
    Tiffany cursed softly. "Damn, he has a heart. I was hoping he'd be a jerk."
    "Tiff," her mother warned. "Behave." She turned to the doctor. "Can we go inside?"
    "Of course," he said and then moved aside.
    Tiffany walked in preparing to chew out this guy, but her eyes fell on her sister and didn't even notice the man. "Oh, Nat," she said softly as she walked up to her bed.
    "Oh God," Cindy said. "She looks so pale."
    "She's actually gotten some color back," Joey said.
    They all looked at him and Tiffany gasped when she recognized him. Her two year-old started bouncing against her hip. "Mama, mama, it's Thoey from Nthync!" she said with excitement and then scooted down her mom's body until she plopped on the floor.
    She trotted up to him and looked into his tired eyes. "Are you Thoey??"
    His mouth lifted and then looked at Tiffany. "She recognizes me?"
    She couldn't help but smile. "Most girls her age are into Teletubbies, but Jordie is into Nthync."
    He smiled down at Jordie. "Yes, I'm Thoey."
    Jordie grinned. "Are you a friend of Nat-lies?"
    "Uhh," Joey stuttered as he stared at the other women. "Well, no Jordie, I don't know Natalie. You see Joey wasn't paying attention and......" He took a deep breath. "Well, my car hit Natalie's cab and...."
    "Has she woken up," Cindy interrupted him because she was having a hard time and wanted to change the subject.
    "Yes twice," he said. "We had a nice conversation about an hour ago."
    "So she's gonna be okay?" Tiffany asked.
    "According to the doctor, yes she's going to be fine."
    Just then the doctor himself walked in. "How's everyone today?"
    "Been better," Tiffany mumbled while she stared at her sister.
    "She's gonna be fine," he assured her.
    "Yeah. What did Natalie say when you talked to her?"
    Joey shifted in his seat. "Asked me if I was okay," he said with a laugh.
    Cindy laughed softly. "Always thinking of others," she said. "That's so like her."
    "When can she come home?" Tiffany asked.
    "Where's home?" the doctor asked.
    "Little Rock," Cindy announced.
    He shook his head. "She can probably leave the hospital in the next day or so, but she can't travel. I want her to stay in one place so she can have her rest."
    Cindy's eyes widened. "That's impossible, we have to leave here in two days! I can't get off work and I'm not leaving her by herself in a hospital."
    "I don' tknow what to say, but she can NOT fly until she is completely recovered. She needs her rest. She tore a couple of ligaments in her right ankel pretty bad, so she's going wear a boot cast."
    "A boot cast?" Joey asked.
    "You know, a cast she can walk on eventually. I'm sorry but if you have to go, we'll take care of her until she....."
    "How long till she can leave for Little Rock?" Cindy asked.
    "I'd say about ten days."
    "TEN DAYS!" Tiffany exclaimed. "No way she is spending New Years in a damn hospital."
    "She can stay with me?" Joey offered and then winced when every one stared at him. "I'm serious, I don't mind. I live with my parents down here and we have more than enough room."
    "Joey," Cindy said with a sigh. "That's very kind of you, but don't you have like things to do.....I don't want to...."
    "We got the whole week off, till after New Years," he assured her. "It's no trouble at all. It's the least I can do after what I have done."
    Cindy smiled warmly at him and then walked over and hugged him. "Thank you so much. You are very kind."
    Joey put a hand on her back. "My pleasure."

    Joey let out a tiring sigh as he rested his head against passenger side seat of JC's Jeep. "Thanks for getting me," he finally said. "I couldn't get a hold of my parents. None of my family is home now."
    "Do they not know yet?" JC asked as he drove through an intersection.
    He shook his head. "No, I haven't gotten a hold of them all day. Mom and Dad went to catch a movie, but they should be back now and I'm sure Steve and Janine are returning gifts."
    "Speaking of returning," JC said with a harsh laugh. "You know that top I got Heather?"
    Joey managed to laugh. "Yeah, how could I forget, it took you forever to pick it out."
    "The girl is picky," he mumbled as he gripped the steering wheel. "Well, the dork is taking it back. I swear I don't know why I try. Next year I'm giving her a damn gift certificate." Joey just laughed softly as he gazed out the window. JC studied him. "Are you okay, man?"
    "I'm just worried," he said. "What if she...."
    "She'll be fine, Joey," JC assured him as he pulled into their driveway. "Just like the doctor said, right?"
    He nodded. "Yeah, I know. I just hope I can make it up to her, I mean she'll be without her family for over a week."
    "I know," JC said as he pulled the car to a stop. "But if any family can make a girl feel at home, it's the Fatone family."
    He chuckled. "You're right about that. Thanks JC." He stepped out of the car. "I'll call you later."
    "Okay, I'll see ya," he said and then drove off as Joey made his way to the backdoor which led to the kitchen.
    He opened the door and the aroma of garlic bread baking in the oven tickled his nose. He smiled when he saw his mom bending over, testing her sauce. "Hi Mom," he said.
    She smiled but then it faded when she saw him. "Honey, what happened to you?"
    He rolled his eyes. "Do I really look THAT bad?"
    "You look like you've been hit by a truck," she said as he sat down on the kitchen stool.
    "Funny you should say that," he said with a laugh.
    Her eyes widened. "What happened? Did you get in a wreck?"
    He nodded. "Yes, but I'm fine. I've been at the hospital and...."
    "HOSPITAL!" she exclaimed as she ran around the island to her son. "Are you okay?" she asked as she ran her hands over her sons face, looking for injuries.
    "Mom," he said annoyingly as he tried to move his face away. "I'm fine, I'm fine."
    "Are you sure?" she asked as she cupped his face. "What happened?"
    He sighed. "Let's have a seat," he said as he motioned her to the kitchen table. "I have a lot to tell."

    Two days later, Natalie opened the bathroom door and slowly walked out fully dressed. Her long, brown curly hair was no longer wrapped up in a bandage, so it flowed down her back like a waterfall of curls. She was dressed in her favorite pair of jeans that her mom brought home and a blue fleece. She was still very weak and she couldn't walk on her ankel yet so she had to use crutches.
    She limped over to the bed and sat down and set her crutches beside her. She was leaning over, putting on her left running shoe on when her mom walked in. "Are you ready?" she asked as she knelt down and shooed her hands away.
    "Mom, I'm capable of tying my shoes," she said.
    "Oh stop, let me fuss," she said as she tightned the laces. "I don't like you bending over; blood might rush to your head and you'll get whoozy."
    She rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say, Mom. Is Tiffany out in the car?"
    She nodded. "She's waiting for us." She just nodded her head. "I'm ready."
    "I can't believe you have to stay here by yourself."
    "I won't be by myself," she said quietly. "I'm staying at the Fatones." She still couldn't believe she was going to spend a week there. A week with Joey, she thought with a sigh. Too bad she had to be in a serious accident in order for her dreams to come true. She grabbed her crutches and tucked them under both arms and then followed her mom out the door.

    "Uh, Mom," Steve said and then bit in his apple. "I think you've wiped that spot good enough."
    "Be quiet," she huffed and just rubbed the coffee table once more with a cloth. "Everything needs to be perfect."
    "Don't worry, Mom," he said with a mouthful. "The house looks great."
    "Yeah, but with you two running around, plus that Hulagun you call your son, it won't stay like that forever."
    Steve chuckled. "Niki is growing up to be just like me and Joey, scary huh?"
    "Very," she sighed as she fluffled a pillow.
    "That's my boy," he said with a grin and then bit into the apple and then cursed when an apple bit stumbled out of his mouth and onto the floor. He tried to pick it up before his mom could see, but she was too quick.
    "Steve, I swear," she exclaimed. "I just vacuumed."
    He winced. "Sorry, sorry, I'll go finish it in the kitchen." He then leaned over and kissed her temple. "Doing a great job, Mom."
    "That's not gonna work," she said and then slapped his butt with her cloth. "Now get."
    "Yes, mam," he chuckled and then disappeared in the bathroom.
    "JOEY!" she yelled upstairs.
    "YEAH, MOM?!" he yelled from his bedroom.
    "I'm not gonna yell at you like some barbarian, come downstairs and talk to me like a civilized person."
    Five seconds later Joey trotted down the stairs and then leaned over the banister and grinned like a fool.
    "Yeah Mom?" he said sweetly.
    She eyed him. "Did you finish vacuuming the guest bedroom?"
    "Sure did," he said. "It looks great. She's going to feel right at home."
    She sighed. "I sure hope so, the poor girl. And YOU young man better help around here."
    "I will, I will."
    "I'm serious, it's your carelessness that put the girl in a coma and...."
    "Mom, did you have to bring that up," he sighed. "I feel bad enough as it is."
    "Well, good, you should. You are gonna wait on that girl like she's the Queen of Sheba, you hear me."
    "Yes, mam," he mumbled.
    "Good," she said. "Now go take out the trash, she's gonna be here any minute."
    "Okay," he said and then hugged her mom. "Thank you."
    "Oh, I swear," she said as she shooed him away. "You and your brother always trying to soften me up."
    He chuckled. "It works too," he said and then walked towards the back.
    She sighed. "Works like a charm," she said with a grin.

    Natalie gazed out the window as they pulled into the circular driveway of the Fatone's. It wasn't a big, flashy house, like she suspected, but it was cozy and homey. It was a gray brick two story house, and front porch had two white pillars that supported a smal balcony up top. They're was green bushes that outlined the front of the house, and a couple of pots were on the porch, but they were bare with flowers.
    The door swung open and Natalie smiled when she saw Joey's mom walk out. She recognized her from the pictures she had seen online. Her smile was warm and bright as she walked down the front door steps. She greeted her mom, as Tiffany opened the door to help her out. "Take these," Natalie said as she stuck the crutches out of the car.
    She used the door to help herself up on one leg and then smiled at her sister when she handed her the crutches. "You must be Natalie," Joey's mom said to her as she reached out and clasped her hand.
    "Yes mam," she said with a smile. "You are so kind to do this."
    "Oh, it's my pleasure," she said. "It's not your fault I have an idiotic son, it's the least I can do. Feel free to call me Phyllis dear. Here let me get someone to help you with your luggage," she said sweetly and then turned and popped her head in. "Steve!"
    Five seconds later Steve walked out. "Yeah?"
    "Will you help Natalie with her bags?"
    "Oh, of course," he said as he ran over to the trunk and pulled it out. "I'm Steve," he said with a smile.
    "Natalie," she said and then introduced him to the rest of her family.
    "Why aren't you cute," he said when he smiled at Jordie. "My son is about your age I believe, he's inside if you want to meet him."
    She smiled and just nodded her head and Steve chuckled. "Don't worry he doesn't bite."
    They all walked in and the aroma of the house was very comforting. The staircase was right in front and it zigzagged up to the second floor. They walked through the first doorway and made their way to the den. A fireplace was going and you could smell the fresh scent from the fragrances Phyllis had used to clean.
    Nickolous was standing at the coffee table, attempting to color. "G-Mamma!" he exclaimed when he saw her walk in.
    "Hey there rascal," she said as she tousled his brown hair and then picked up a marker. "These are the best."
    "Oh, are those the ones that only right on special paper," Tiffany asked as she plopped Jordie next to Nick.
    "Yes, and they save my life," she said and then handed one to Jordie. "There you go sweetie, feel free to color."
    Jordie grinned as he took the red marker from her and started to draw with Nick. At first Nick was looking at her like, how dare you use my markers, but then he did a little shrug and continued coloring.
    "Joey is not here now," Phyllis said as the took their seat. Natalie, Tiffany and their mom sat on the black leather couch, while Phyllis sunk in the recliner. "He and the guys are working in the studio."
    "I'm sorry we missed him," Cindy said. "We actually can't stay much longer, we have a flight to catch in a few hours."
    "Oh, I'm sure he'll be back soon," she said with a smile. "I actually would like to know what Natalie likes."
    Her eyes widened. "What I like?"
    She nodded. "Yes, like as in food, and hobbies. I want to make this stay as comfortable as I can."
    "You're sweet, Mrs Fa....er...Phyllis, but you don't have to go to the trouble."
    "Nonsense," she said. "Do you like Itallian?"
    "It's my favorite," she said with a grin.
    She let out a laugh. "Good, then you should fit right in."

    "Is today the day?" JC asked Joey as the guys were walking out of the studio.
    "The day for what??" Chris asked as he stuck his head between JC and Joey.
    "Nosy," Joey mumbled and then pushed his head away. "Today is the day that coma girl moves in," Justin snickered.
    "Don't call her that!" Joey snapped as he spun around.
    Justin held up his hands. "Sorry, dude I was just joking."
    "It's NOT funny," he said. "She could have died."
    Justin sighed. "You're right I'm sorry. It was stupid."
    "Her name is Natalie, Curly," he said as he glared at him with daggers. "Call her by her damn name."
    "Okay, I'm sorry," he said and then started to walked off to his car. "I'll talk to you guys later."
    Joey sighed once he got into JC's passenger seat. "Was I too hard on him?"
    JC chuckled. "Not at all. If anything, you were too easy on him. Justin doesn't think, plain and simple."
    "I know," he said and then popped in a peice of gum.
    "Is she at your house?" JC asked as he peered over his shoulder to make his way out of the parking spot.
    He nodded. "She should be there."
    "You nervous?"
    He was terrified. "Nervous? Why would I be nervous?"
    He shrugged. "Cause you look like your gonna throw up, that's why?" JC grinned when he gave him a foul look. "It's true, sorry." When he still didn't look pleased he cleared his throat and changed the subject. "So you say she's a fan?"
    "Yeah, she was listening to us when it happened."
    "When what happened, the wreck?" Joey nodded. "Woah, that's crazy."
    "Tiffany told me I'm her favorite, too," he said with a shake of his head. "Her favorite nearly kills her, ironic huh?"
    The corner of his lip lifted. "Don't beat yourself up about it, Joey. It's not like you aimed a gun at her head and pulled the trigger."
    He sighed. "I know."
    "When is your car going to be ready?"
    "In a week, so you'll have to be my chauffer till then."
    "I don't mind," he said and then pulled up in his driveway.
    "Wanna go in?" Joey asked.
    He shook his head. "I would, but I have a date."     Joey's brows lifted. "A date? Who's the lucky lady?"
    "My mom," he said with a wink. "I'm taking her out to lunch."
    He chuckled. "Tell her hi for me."
    "Will do," he said. "Later."
    "Bye," he said and then slammed the door and walked around to the back. He took a deep breath and then walked in his house.
    He walked through the kitchen and rounded the corner to see Steve helping Natalie to her feet. He froze when he saw her. She looked completely different. Her pale face was now full of life as she smiled at something his brother said. He liked her long curly hair and when he heard her laugh it sent chills through him. He had the biggest urge to take her in his arms and just protect her from the world.

Part Three