| The next morning was spent with Sue recounting her experience to Brian, counsellors, police, security and anyone else who needed to know. Her head was hurting by the time she finished and she could tell Brian wanted to put a stop to it for her sake. She smiled at him, the smile not reaching her eyes, just to tell him she was okay. She was coping. Brian noticed that her smile was forced. She didn't feel like smiling and he ached to know she felt like that. He felt helpless to do anything, and for the hundredth time he was sure, he buried his head in his hands and felt like sobbing. Sue touched him on the shoulder and he looked up, forcing himself to smile back at her. "I'm okay Brian," Sue said to him, loud enough for only him to hear her. He was sitting close to her, never leaving her side, his hand firmly in hers that was now free of the IV drip. "I worry about you Sue. I hate to see you like this." He sighed loudly. "How do you feel? Really?" he asked her. She shrugged. "I don't know. I guess it will all hit me more later. That's when I will need you," she said looking pleadingly into his eyes. "You'll be here for me Brian?" "Oh Sue, You are going to get sick of the sight of me. I am not going to be leaving your side." The doctor chose that moment to want to talk to Sue. "We'll talk about this later okay," he finished and Sue nodded, her eyes not leaving his in a pleading look. He knew at that moment that she was depending on him. His independent girl had taken such an emotional beating that she depended on him like no one ever had before and he vowed to watch out for her. The doctor was there to tell Sue she was free to be discharged and go home, home being her life on the road with Brian. She was to have the arm x-rayed again in 6 weeks time, and if all had healed well, the cast could be removed. He gave her some extra strength painkillers to be used over the next few days, and then said goodbye to her, wishing her well. Brian packed the few things she had there, that Jac had brought in for her, and carried her bag at the same time as holding her securely to help her walk. Sue smiled to herself, she could walk, but it was nice to have him fussing over her. The trip back to the hotel was quiet, neither one of them saying much, Sue just happy to be held firmly in Brian's arms. She was close to dozing off when they arrived back at the hotel, the fans being kept at a good distance from the entrance, allowing them both a trouble free return. Will escorted them up to their room, a different room that they had been in before. Sue didn't know who had arranged that little intervention, but she sure wanted to thank them. Nothing about the new room reminded her of the one they had been in. Brian continued to fuss over her and helped her over to the bed. "Come on, in you get. I'll make you some coffee." Sue climbed into the bed, not arguing with him about that. She still felt worn out by the whole incident and the bed looked inviting. She wished Brian would just come and lay down with her instead of worrying about coffee. Right now all she wanted was his gentle loving arms around her. Brian brought the coffee over and set it on the bedside table. He fetched the remote control for the TV. "Here, would you like to watch something?" Sue shook her head. Brian looked around the room. He almost seemed nervous with her, but a different sort of nervous to when they first met. He was scared to do or say something that might upset her. "Brian," Sue started. "What Baby?" he asked looking back at her. She sounded upset about something. "Why haven't you kissed me since this all happened?" she asked with a tremble in her voice. That question surprised him and he stammered a little. "Sue, um… I…. I don't know. I don't… want to upset you I suppose." "Why would you kissing me ever upset me?" Sue asked looking down at the blanket, playing nervously with the edges of it. "Or maybe you don't want to touch me anymore after what happened." Brian sat and pulled her into his arms in an instant, holding her good hand in his, his other arm around her. He looked her deep in her eyes. "Oh God Sue, no. That would never be the reason. I didn't want to scare you. I don't want to say or do something that is going to remind you of what happened. And it is going to be so damn hard when he looks so much like me. You are always going to see him every time I come near you." Sue was shaking her head, tears flooding her eyes. "That's what you don't understand Brian. I can never mistake him for you, even when he looks like you. He will never come close to being half the man you are. Brian, you mean everything to me. Nothing you can do would remind me of him," she trailed off. Brian reached out and ran a finger over her bruised cheekbone. "He hit you?" he asked, already knowing the answer, but Sue nodded. "I'll kill him if I ever see him." Brian said savagely and Sue cringed. "Sorry Baby. But anyone who hurts you like he did, I want to tear him from limb to limb." He looked at her, her eyes filled with tears and he softened. He would never change his mind about the way he felt about the man, but right now his concern was Sue. He leaned in and touched his lips to hers, softly, just testing her reaction. She sighed and lifted her lips and he deepened the kiss a little. Sudden desire shot through him a reaction to both her insecurity about his behaviour, and his feeling of intense protectiveness towards her. But still he held back, letting her set the pace. Slowly she deepened the kiss, lifting her arms around him, settling her plastered arm carefully on his shoulder. She opened her lips to his, inviting his tongue inside and tentatively he allowed his tongue to search hers out, becoming bolder as she welcomed him. They kissed passionately, but Brian sensed some hesitation in Sue. Could he have been imagining it? "I love you Brian," Sue told him when she pulled slowly away, still kissing him erratically. "I love you too Sue. You scared the life out of me. When AJ said he had been talking to me at the hotel, I thought I would pass out with fear. Thank God you got through this." "We're going to make it, aren't we?" "You bet we will. I won't leave you ever again, not without someone at your side. I won't let anyone hurt you." Brian promised, hoping it was a promise he could keep, not really knowing exactly what Newman was capable of. They spent the afternoon talking. Brian wanted Sue to get it all out in the open, not bottle any of the incident inside herself. He also needed to know, not only so he could be careful, but for his own peace of mind. Knowing what happened to Sue was not easy to hear, but something he needed to know if he was going to help her. The hours ticked by and Sue dozed, Brian lying beside her, not wanting to let go of her. They shared a small meal in the mid afternoon, feeding each other as they sat on the bed together. Sue got up to take a shower, Brian hovering around the door while she did. She called him for help at one stage and he was in the door almost before she finished saying his name. He doted on her every whim. All he wanted to do was protect her from the nasty world outside, cocooning her in here with him. But he knew reality would soon intrude. It intruded not long after Sue finished her shower. A knock at the door sounded, and Sue stiffened in Brian's arms. "It's okay Babe. David is out there now, and management have hired extra security to travel with us. From now on, even I need a pass to board my own bus!" he informed her. He stood up, leaning down to kiss her quickly before going to see who was at the door. He turned to tell her it was Kevin before opening it, and he saw her relax. "Hi Brian. How's Sue?" Kevin asked. "Come in and see for yourself." Brian waved him in. Kevin walked in and over to where Sue sat on the edge of the bed. She still looked a little weary and he sat beside her. "How you doing Sue?" Kevin asked her draping his arm around her shoulder. She shrugged. "I don't know yet Kevin. I'll get by I suppose." Kevin pulled her into his arms and she returned the hug. "We're doing everything in our power to protect you Sue. He won't get to you again." Kevin said to her. "You are much too important to this guy here," he said indicating Brian, "and you are far too important to all of us too." He looked her in the eye. "We all love you Sue, and wish this had never happened." "Thanks Kevin. That means a lot to me. I'll just have to take it one day at a time." Brian sat beside her and took her hand in his. "With all our support Sue." She smiled at him, squeezing his fingers. "Brian, there's something else I need to ask you. The guys want to know what you want to do in regard to tonight's concert. Do you want to go on, miss the show or should we cancel?" "Go on without me Kevin," Brian said without hesitating. "I'm not leaving Sue here on her own." Sue didn't know what to do. She didn't want Brian to leave her here, but she also didn't want him to miss the concert. From what she had been told last night's concert was already postponed to tonight. Kevin looked at Sue and she certainly didn't look strong enough to be left alone here. He nodded to Brian. "Okay, we'll perform without you," he said to Brian, not a trace of disagreement in his voice. "I could go to the venue." Sue said quietly. She wasn't even sure if she could cope with that, but she didn't want Brian to miss his concert. "Sue, I can't watch you while I am on the stage. I will be worried sick." "Both Will and David will be at her side the entire time Brian. They won't let her out of their sights." Brian thought for a while. He turned to look at Sue. "Would you be okay with that? Would you feel up to it yet?" Sue nodded slowly. "I think so Brian. Yeah, with Will and David there, I will be okay," she answered him trying to sound strong. "Sue, I also wanted to let you know about the extra security measures we have put in place. Firstly the buses, particularly yours and Brian's. The only people who will have access to the bus, and will have the only 2 keys to unlock the door are Will and David. No one else will be able to get in or out of the door without them unlocking the door first, and that includes the driver. It's not that we don't trust him, but security is hired to do exactly that, protect us." Kevin told them. "Brian has been given an access code that only he knows to enter the bus, and any time he steps away from you, he is to clear it with whoever is minding you at the time." "I'll know if it isn't Brian." Sue interrupted him and Kevin looked sceptically at her. "I knew it wasn't Brian the instant the other guy walked in yesterday, it was just too late. He was already in." "Well, that's not going to happen again." Kevin continued. "At the venues, you will have 2 bodyguards with you at all times. If you need to go somewhere they can't follow, we have a woman security guard on the team now too. We have a whole host of extra security and some of them will travel on your bus too. "If you leave the concert at any time, for whatever reason, Brian is to be told so he isn't left wondering on stage. That's up to security to do." Kevin said, letting Brian know the arrangement too. A lot of this he hadn't heard yet either. "Another thing is Will, and David, or whoever is minding you at the time, and you will have 24 hour surveillance outside your door, will also have a key or card to your room, so there is no being locked out at any time. And even when you are not in your room, someone will be guarding it so there are no nasty surprises when you return. There is to be a check of the room done prior to your entry too. And finally, you will be responsible for letting security know of any changes that may take place, anything that needs attention." Kevin finished. "Did I miss anything? Do you have any concerns?" Kevin asked. "I think you covered it all Kevin. If we think of anything we'll let you know. But one other thing, we are not to have any interconnecting rooms, and we will always be up high, with no fire escape balconies nearby." "Good point. No getting in or out without using the main door." "You got it," Brian said, then looked at Sue. "Are you sure you want to come tonight?" The thought of staying here alone scared Sue and she nodded at him. He would have stayed with her, but she didn't want that, so the only alternative was to go with him. "Yes Brian, I'll be okay. Besides, we are leaving here tonight, thank goodness." Brian pulled her into his arms again. "You'll be okay Sue. We'll see to that." "Yes, we will," Kevin finished and left the room. "Thanks Sue. I know you don't want to go. I'll stay if you feel you'd rather." "No Brian," Sue said shaking her head. "You owe it to the fans to be there. They want to see you." "But I owe you more," he stressed to her. "I'll be alright. I'll be watching you." ********** The concert went without a hitch. Every security measure Kevin had explained was carried out to a tee. Brian stayed by her side till the last moment, leaving her with both Will and David, who she felt comfortable with. A third security guy stayed close by, seated in the row of seats behind where Sue and Jac sat, while the other two stood in front of her, without limiting the view. Brian could see her where she was sitting, and he saw the security presence around her, feeling a little more at ease. He was still a nervous wreck about leaving her, but he knew she was safe. The painkillers Sue had taken for her arm were beginning to take its toll on her and nearing the end of the concert she had to go back and lay down. True to Kevin's word, Brian was told discreetly of the plans before Sue was moved to the backstage area. There was no way she could contemplate sitting in the dark bus without Brian, so she chose the room the Boys had gotten dressed in. Will fussed over her to make sure she was alright, getting her comfortable before sitting himself in the seat opposite her. David was at the entrance to the door not allowing anyone in. It wasn't long before she had fallen asleep, feeling safe. Brian rushed in the room the moment the concert was over. He saw she was sleeping and sat next to her. They had to leave straight away, to beat the fans out of the concert, which was almost an impossible task at the best of times, but he had to get Sue to the bus. He questioned Will as to why she wasn't already there and Will told him she didn't want to go in there. Brian nodded and moved to pick her up. He placed his arms under her body and lifted her into them, cradling her comfortably before moving away, bodyguards in tow. Suddenly Sue lashed out. "Nooooo, leave me alone, I don't want to go. Put me down," she screamed, frightening Brian. He looked down at her, dodging her plaster encased hand as he did, and realised she was asleep. She had to be dreaming, or more rightly having a nightmare. He held her close and spoke to her, soothing words of love, and she calmed down. A short time later she woke. "Brian?" "Yes baby, it's me. You were having a dream." "I know, I remember. I'm sorry." "It's okay," he said reaching the bus and waiting for David to open it. "Everything will work out. You'll see." |