| Sue never really lost consciousness, but she started to become aware of what was going on as Brian rocked her in his arms. One of his hands was cradling her head and he was talking softly in her ear, telling her he loved her and to please wake up. He sounded distraught. She inhaled deeply and smelled his unique smell and smiled, cuddling further into his arms, feeling all the safety she needed from them. Her head was really beginning to hurt. She moaned into Brian's chest and he looked down at her seeing her eyelids flutter open. She moaned again and he shushed her with soothing tones. She wanted to stay right where she was, closing her eyes again. It felt better with her eyes shut. She heard voices. They were talking to Brian, telling him it was time to go on stage. Sue gripped his arms tightly, not wanting him to go. Way back in her mind she knew he had to, but right now she needed him. She heard him say it would have to wait for a while. He wasn't going anywhere till he knew she was okay. She sighed, silently thanking him. She was drawing strength from him. What had happened? Why was she here like this? Slowly things were coming to her. She was walking to her seat for the concert. She should be watching them now. But someone had grabbed her. She remembered and started to sob quietly. He had tried to get her again. Nowhere was safe. Her body began to shake and she knew Brian was panicking again, but she couldn't stop. "Brian!" she cried out and he held on to her telling her he was there, she was okay, she was in his arms. Her breathing was becoming rapid and she thought she would hyperventilate. She was scared. She heard more voices and Brian telling someone she was here. He stood up and lay her down on a lounge and she clung to his arm with her one good hand. She still didn't want to open her eyes, and she didn't want him to go away gripping on to his arm with a vice like hold. The newcomer to the room opened one of her eyes and shone a light in. This was a doctor. She wasn't in hospital again was she? Why did she need a doctor? Slowly she opened her eyes and looked straight at Brian for the reassurance she needed. Brian stood over Sue, a feeling of helplessness washing over him. With everything they had done to protect Sue, she had still been grabbed from behind, scaring her all over again and scaring him too. She had finally begun to calm down and return to her normal self and now this. He shuddered to think how this would affect her. It would be a huge setback in her recovery. As she clung to his arm he watched the doctor check her over. Her eyes opened and she searched for him. He smiled at her softly, unable to manage any more. "Just a slight concussion," the doctor announced. "She will make a full recovery. She might have a headache for a while, but pain relief for that should dull that significantly. But the fright of what she has been through will be more difficult to combat. She will need lots of help from people who care about her. Mr Littrell, you'll be the one she looks for. You need to know that she will need you the most. She will lean on you for all the support she needs." "And she'll get it. I want to help her through this. I'll do everything I can to help." Brian told the doctor seriously. "She might not let you leave her now," he said indicating the grip she had on his arm. "Then I won't go," Brian announced. Sue tried to sit up when she heard him say that, making her head spin, forcing her to lie down again. "Shhhhh Sue. Stay there. I'm not going anywhere." He told her quietly. "The concert Brian." She whispered, looking in his eyes. "The fans." "You're more important." "No, go to the fans. I will be okay." She looked around seeing no one else in the room. Then again, maybe she wouldn't be okay. "She might sleep Mr Littrell," the doctor announced. "But if you can't wake her ring me immediately. It's most important." Brian nodded and saw Jac in the doorway. He motioned for her to join them. "Baby, Jac is here. Is it okay if she stays with you?" He knew he had to perform, as much as he didn't want to. He had already delayed the start. She nodded her head slowly, not wanting to jar it making her headache worse. Brian was hesitant to leave her, but Jac assured him she would watch out for her. Two new guards had been stationed on the door, one of them being Kevin's bodyguard, so Brian felt a little more at ease trusting him. Of all nights to give both Will and David the night off. That wouldn't happen again. Not both of them together. He was sure going to be asking questions about the other two guarding Sue tonight. "Sue, Baby, I'll be back here as soon as the concert is over. Jac will look after you. Okay? Are you sure you will be alright if I go?" She wasn't sure, but she told him she was. She wanted nothing more than to be cradled in his arms, keeping the fear she felt at bay. Nowhere but in his arms did she feel safe. When he finally left the room, after standing at the door watching her for a while, Sue felt a sudden rush of fear building up within her. She crawled back on the lounge she was laying on, pulling her knees up to her body and wrapping her arms around them. She closed her eyes, scared to look in case Spencer came anywhere near her. She knew he wouldn't now, but that didn't help. Jac was perfect for her though. She started by coming over and holding Sue, just staying quiet while she gained a little composure at being left by Brian. Then they started talking about it and Sue would be eternally grateful for the things she said. Jac made coffee for them both and they talked more. The two hours went quickly. The only time Sue freaked out a little was when one of the new bodyguards came into the room. She didn't recognise him and screamed at him to get out. Jac dealt with him, telling him it would be a good idea if he sent Kevin's bodyguard in because Sue knew him. He had only come in to check she was okay because Brian had sent a query from up on stage to the guards down there. Finally noise grew outside and Sue's eyes were glued to the door waiting for Brian. He burst into the room and was straight at Sue's side taking her into his arms immediately. She clung on to him again, overjoyed that he was back. She felt safe in his arms and she felt the love and concern in them as he held her. "I'm back Baby. It's time for us to go. How have you been?" "She's been fine Brian. We've just been talking." Jac told him. "Thanks Jac." He looked at her. "I think Kevin is looking for you." She smiled. "My pleasure Brian. Now just take care of her." "You bet I will." "Thanks Jac," Sue said as she walked away. Jac smiled at her and disappeared. "You ready now Baby?" Sue nodded and he helped her to her feet. They walked out as fast as Brian could encourage Sue to go and waited for Kevin's bodyguard to open the door to the bus. Someone else was watching over Kevin tonight. Will and David were being met at the next city on the tour. Brian would sure feel better when they were back with them. Tonight's security had not been good enough and he had let them all know in no uncertain terms. He grinned slightly at the memory of him letting loose with a barrage of words so unlike him to say. He had been so angry that they had not done their job of protecting Sue and at the same time failing in the job they were employed to do, letting that crazed man near her. They felt his anger, and that of Kevin's who was standing nearby and Brian told them if he ever saw them again it would be too soon. Needless to say they both lost their jobs and as soon as they got to the next city their head of security would be looking for suitable replacements. They had screwed up big time and had paid the price. Once in the bus Brian sat Sue down on the seat in the middle of the bus, Carlos sitting with her while he quickly took a shower. He didn't want to have her lying on the bed alone like last time. His shower was quick, then they said goodnight to the two bodyguards and the driver and he led her to their 'bedroom'. Sue seemed to be going through the motions of getting ready to bed, no real emotion showing in her eyes. It pained Brian to see her like that and he was determined to bring the sparkle back into her eyes. He was also determined to catch Spencer Newman and planned on talking to security and the police tomorrow, if he could be sure Sue would be okay left for a while. He would get one of the guys to come and see her when he was sure she was ready. Maybe Nick could play that silly computer game with her that seemed to make her lose all track of time. That would be a good distraction. He would tee that up with Nick so it didn't look suspicious to Sue. Brian climbed into the bed next to Sue and pulled her into his arms. "You okay Baby?" he asked her. She shrugged as she had so often before, but this time she really didn't know. "I don't know anymore Brian. All I know is I am scared." "I know you are. I'm scared too. I'm scared of him doing anything to you. And what he might want to do to both of us." Brian said to her. Sue let out a whimper at his words. "That's what is so scary Brian. I don't know what he wants. Does he want to have his way with me, or does he want to do that and hurt me too. He was so cruel in the hotel room that night. He didn't care that he was hurting me, he said he would break my arm and he did." She took a shuddering breath and continued. "He's made me frightened Brian. Frightened of everything. Shadows I see, sounds I hear. He has even made me frightened to go to sleep. I hate feeling like that Brian. I hate feeling dependant on everyone. I hate making you feel like you are." He was going to interrupt her then and she saw it. "No. Let me finish. I hate being so scared it makes me angry. But at the same time I can't overcome this fear. I need you Brian. You are the only one who makes me feel safe." Brian pulled her into his arms and held her. The speech she had just made was the most she had said on the subject since it all happened and he was glad of that. Now that she had it in the open maybe she could start to heal. Complete recovery wouldn't come until Spencer was caught and put behind bars but at least she was talking about it. He wanted her to keep going now she had started. "That's good Sue. Talking about it will help you. I know you are scared and I want to be here for you. I am here for you, you know that don't you?" Sue nodded her head. "I am going to do everything in my power to have this man caught. You can count on that." "I know you will Brian." Sue yawned. "Sorry. It's catching up on me." "Well, how about we sleep?" Brian suggested. "NO! I can't go to sleep. I'll start dreaming about it again," Sue cried, holding him tighter again. Brian held her closely in his arms and rocked her for a moment. "It's okay Sue, I am here. I will hold you in my arms all night long. If those demon dreams appear, I will be here." He lifted her chin to look into her eyes. "What do you say? You trust me?" She smiled at him, the first smile he had seen since earlier this evening, before the concert. "Okay. With you here, knowing you are here, I will try and sleep." She stopped and looked at him, her eyes almost pleading. "Thank you Brian. I couldn't do this without you." He kissed her softly then, pulling them both down on their pillows. He pulled her into his arms again and kissed her forehead. "Goodnight my princess. Sleep well." "Goodnight Brian. I love you," Sue said to him drowsily. As Sue fell asleep in Brian's arms, he couldn't help but think about what she had said to him. He felt her fear he felt her frustration. He wanted so badly to make it all right again, because her final words on this played on his mind. She couldn't do this without him. She wouldn't be in this mess if it weren't for him, so he owed it to her to make it right again, and protect her in the meantime. One way or the other, Spencer Newman would pay. |