"Yes we are," Mindi answered. "I told you traveling gets confusing. You don't know how many times AJ's said hi to all the beautiful ladies in Los Angeles when we are in Las Vegas."

"Hey I heard that! That's not true!" AJ called from backstage.

They were doing a dress rehearsal before they left for a press conference. Leeny continued with her introduction of AJ and they went over the song. They went through the whole show in only fifteen minutes.

"Are we ready to go?" Kevin called to the rest of the guys.

Leeny and AJ looked at each other. They had wanted to talk to Kevin about him and Marsella but they hadn't gotten a chance. They figured they'd wait until after the show. They all gathered into the limo and headed for the hotel where they were staying and where the press conference was going to take place.

*In the Green Room of the Press Conference*

The girls all sat around the monitor and watched the guys. They were being asked the same questions they were always asked. How is this tour different from the last? What do you really think of Nsync? How have you all changed since the last album? The girls all knew the answers to these questions by heart already and they were mocking the boys by answering them before they did in exactly the same words the boys used.

"Here comes the girlfriend question," Sandrea laughed.

Brian was first and Andie answered in his exact words at the exact time. Sandrea, Claudia, and Kenzie did the same thing.

"Watch it's AJ's turn. No I…" Leeny started but was surprised to hear she didn't match his answer.

"Yes I do. She's a beautiful woman and I love her very much. She's our opening act and Nick's sister. We've been dating for about three months but I feel like I've known her all my life. I usually say I don't have a girlfriend but I think the fans have grown to a higher maturity and can handle the truth. I love you angel," AJ said waving to the camera.

Leeny's mouth dropped open. She could not believe that AJ just said that. She felt warm tears start to form in her eyes. The other girls all erupted in giggles and 'oh how cutes.' Leeny stayed staring at the monitor still in shock.

It was now time for questions from the fans. Again the usual questions were asked. A young girl stood up to ask her question. She first introduced herself "Hi guys I'm Stephanie from Hawaii."

Claudia let out a gasp but continued listening to her question. "I was just wondering," the girl started. "If I could get a hug from you Howie, and bring these gifts up to you guys."

Howie was not called Sweet D for nothing. He said yes and Stephanie made her way up to Howie. Claudia watched as she handed each boy his gifts. After her question it was time for pictures and then the press conference was over. When the guys came back stage Claudia grabbed the bear away from Howie. She looked at the tag that the girl had written. To Howie, love Stephanie.

"Oh my God Howie. It's her. She's the girl who wrote that letter to me. She followed us from Hawaii," Claudia said frantically.

"Claudia what are you talking about?" Howie asked confused.

"Look Howie," Claudia said pulling out the letter from her purse. "It says Stephanie. Look at the writing, it's the same. And she said she's from Hawaii. It's her Howie!"

"Calm down honey. She's just a little girl. She's not capable of anything harmful. Lots of girls say they would like to kill our girlfriends but they don't mean it."

"I have a bad feeling about that girl." Claudia answered.

"I think you're tired from all this traveling on a plane. Maybe you should stay in the hotel tonight. I'll pick you up after the show so we can go see the tour bus. I think a little rest would do you a lot of good."

Claudia reluctantly agreed and let him take her back to the hotel.

Leeny ran to AJ and threw her arms around him. "I love you baby."

AJ smiled. "I couldn't keep the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me a secret anymore."

Leeny kissed him and started crying again. "You made me the happiest girl in the world. Now we don't have to act like we're not together in public."

"Oh stop crying you sissy!" Nick teased kicking his sister's butt.

Leeny turned around. "Listen young man I'm going to tell your wife to put you in your place if you don't leave me alone."

Nick stopped immediately. He turned to Sandrea. "Are you going to spank me if I'm a bad boy?"

Sandrea laughed, "you wish."

"Her hand would get lost in that big ass of yours," AJ teased Nick.

"Just because you don't have one." Nick shot back sticking his tongue out.

"Please Nicky, you have enough for the whole group…"

"Alright boys stop it before we spank you both," Leeny and Sandrea scolded.

AJ and Nick stuck their butts out at the same time. Andie walked by and hit them both with a cardboard cutout of Kevin.

"Hey!" They both shouted.

"Sorry guys," Andie laughed. "But Kevin wanted some action."

The girls laughed hard. "It's good to see you in a better mood Andie." Leeny said hugging her friend.

"Her and Brian must have had sex before the dress rehearsal." AJ commented.

Andie raised the cardboard Kevin and hit AJ on the head. "Is that all you think about?"

"Yes," AJ and Leeny answered at the same time.

Andie rolled her eyes. "Well we did as a matter of fact but I just decided to give my parents some time. They'll come around."

"They better. Or else cardboard Kevy will come after them," Leeny joked.

*After The Show*

"Should we get our stuff and put it on the bus tonight so we can leave early tomorrow?" Kenzie asked.

"Yeah, that's a good idea." Howie said. "You all go ahead. I'm going to stick around and talk to the sound guys. I think there is a few things they should change. If Claudia comes looking for me tell her I'll be right there."

They got into the limo again and went to their hotel. Leeny and AJ decided to corner Kevin after they got to the lobby. Leeny had been kind of rude to Marsella all day today and she ordered a separate car for them and arranged for them to stay on the dancer's bus. The limo pulled up to the hotel and they all made their way to their rooms. Kenzie was busy talking to Andie to notice Leeny and AJ pull Kevin aside.

"What's up guys?" Kevin asked.

"Why don't you tell us?" Leeny said coldly.

"What do you mean?"

"Don't act stupid. We saw you kissing Marsella yesterday. What was that about?"

AJ put an arm around Leeny, "we just want to make sure you don't hurt Kenzie."

"I love Kenzie I would never hurt her. Marsella was the one who kissed me. I know I'm stupid for not pulling away. But it meant nothing to me."

Leeny nodded. "Fine. I really think you should tell her though. Secrets really hurt a relationship. We know that first hand."

"Don't worry, I will." Kevin reassured them.

They went up to their rooms and started gathering their things together to take to the bus. Leeny began to take her things down to the car when she heard Howie let out a blood curtailing scream.

To Chapter 43
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