| Later in the morning, after Sue had shown Brian equal attention to what he had shown her, they finally slept, a peaceful sleep that brought no nightmares or thoughts of what had happened to her the night before. Held safely in Brian's arms was her safe zone and she woke up smiling to herself, feeling well rested. She had every right to be tormented by dreams, but being with Brian held them at bay. Opening her eyes she moved away a little bit, just so she could look at him properly. He was still sound asleep, and a feeling of complete love washed over her as she looked at him. She smiled softly, remembering the passion they had shared not that long ago. His face was relaxed, almost serene. With his eyes closed his dark eyelashes lay on his cheeks. Those intense blue eyes of his always detracted from his eyelashes, but they were full and quite long which was noticeable as they fanned out on his cheeks as he slept. His mouth was partly open, his breathing slow and steady and she ached to reach out and touch his bottom lip. The lip that drove her crazy with wanting him when they kissed. It was so kissable. His facial growth was at the scruffy stage that she loved so much, and he knew it too, shaving every so often and then letting it grow again, just to torment her. He liked to tease her about it. She lifted her fingers to rub the growth, you couldn't really call it a beard, but she held back, not wanting to wake him yet. Propping up on one elbow she let her eyes lower. The sheet on the bed was pulled up to his waist and she had free vision of his chest. Her eyes roamed over him as her heart did strange things. The muscles over his chest were well defined, shaped from the many hours of working out and also the dancing that he did on a daily basis. She knew he had to be in peak physical condition to do a show like they did and it showed as she looked at him. The faint line of his heart surgery scar that ran down the centre of his chest spoke volumes of that time in his life and she wished she had been there for him as he was here for her now. His hand splayed across his stomach, rising and falling with his easy breathing, and something stirred within her. She could almost feel those fingers on her body. She shook herself trying to stop or at least slow the feeling but it was no good. Simply looking at him brought it on. She began to think about the two of them while she gazed at his sleeping form beside her. It was true when she said he was the only one to make her feel safe. Through all of this, despite the fact that Spencer looked so much like Brian, when she was in his arms she felt safe, as if no one could hurt her. He brought about a feeling of love that would conquer any fear. Each time something had happened, Brian had been there for her. He comforted her and soothed her fears, never giving up on her. It would be something she would never forget. As she thought, her eyes travelled back up to his hair and she smiled. She loved his hair as he wore it now, a little long, encouraging the curls around his neck and forehead, as well as highlighted blonde, dark strands mixing with the light. It really suited him like that. She dropped her plastered hand that she had been propped up on onto the pillow above his head. Laying her head back down on her forearm she ran her fingers through his hair at the top, the curls bouncing back as she pulled her fingers away. She let them play softly in his hair and without thought her other hand had found it's way to his chest, gliding over it gently to his stomach, their fingers touching where his hand lay. When his fingers lifted up over hers, curling around hers gently, she jumped. She looked up and saw his intense blue eyes looking at her, amusement twinkling in his eyes. He didn't have the bleary eyed look of someone who had just woken up and she realised he had to have seen her watching him. "Good morning," came his cheerful voice. Sue smiled back at him, wondering if her face was reddening with a blush at having been caught watching him as he slept. "Good morning." She wanted to look away, but his eyes captured her as they always did. When he was smiling it was even harder. His eyes sparkled when he smiled, even at this time in the morning. "So," he said his voice even. "See anything you like?" A devilish smile reached Sue's face now. "Oh yeah. Lots actually." She moved closer to him and let him wrap his arm around her pulling her body in close to his again, as it had been as they slept. "Oh? And that was?" Sue sighed blissfully. She looked up into his mesmerising eyes again and smiled at him. "Just you. Realising how very lucky I am to have you. How much you mean to me." "We're both lucky," he said easily before urging her to lift her lips to his for a kiss. It didn't need much encouragement. They shared a slow, loving kiss, one that spoke volumes between them without the words being spoken. Not much later they were both on the way to the stadium. The kiss they shared could easily have led to them spending more time in bed together, but both of them realised the time and that Brian had to be at the stadium earlier than normal for a press conference, bringing an end to that idea. That would have to keep till later, back in this hotel again. It was nice to be in the same place for a few days. The drive in the car was an emotional roller coaster for Sue. She realised as they neared the big stadium, she was figuratively heading back into the scene of the crime, or more rightly a situation so similar to what happened last night it could be the same time and place all over again. She felt nerves tumbling through her stomach at the thought that Spencer could be nearby, scared that he could get to her again. He would easily be following them around the country. Brian seemed to sense her state of mind immediately and looked at her. She had the look of a frightened animal in a cage and he pulled her closer. She jumped at his touch and he apologised and she returned the apology, knowing his touch should not make her jump. But she was feeling edgy and anxious. Brian took her free hand in his and held it. "I won't let him hurt you Sue." Once at the stadium, Sue followed Brian around, at his request. He wanted to know where she was, feeling better than if she was holed up in some dressing room somewhere. She had brought her laptop computer with her today, thinking she might get some work done. She had to admit though, that she preferred to be near Brian. Even at this distance she felt the security. And of course Will and David were nearby. Sound check was earlier than normal on this day, due to the press conference that would be taking place. As Sue sat in the first few rows of the concert hall, a feeling of uneasiness overtook her. She looked up at Brian to get his attention but he was busy with one of the male dancers and concentrating on what they were doing. The feeling was overwhelming her and she couldn't wait, telling one of the security people to tell Brian she was going into the dressing room. She couldn't explain the feeling. She was just suddenly overtaken with the need to leave the stadium, the openness of the area freaking her out. She had both David and Will with her, but it made no difference. She wondered if she would ever be free of this feeling. It was almost the opposite of claustrophobia. Her breathing was heavy when she reached Brian's dressing room, which was thoroughly checked by David before entering. Trying to steady her breathing, Sue sat on the comfortable 2-seater lounge taking slow and steady breaths. She looked up at David for reassurance and he told her that everything was clear. No one had been in the room, which had been left locked, and everything was as it should be. She had him close the door before she relaxed further. She shook her head to try and clear it as Brian came storming in the room. "You okay?" he asked, his voice full of concern. She didn't want to start him worrying. "Yeah, I thought I would come and do a little bit of work. I tried to tell you," Sue hedged. "Are you sure? You scared me when I couldn't see you." "Sorry, I left a message." "I know, but the second I didn't see you I panicked and ran out here. Are you sure you are okay? I have to get back to the others. They'll end up getting sick of me soon. But I need to know you are okay." "I'm okay Brian. I'm going to do some work. I want to get some done before the press conference. I'm going to watch that." Brian left after Sue reassured him that she would be fine and he promised to come back before the press conference. It was taking place in a hall inside the venue and would be filled with both reporters and fans that had been lucky to win a radio competition. Sue wanted to see what went on at one of these events, but she wanted to stay out of the public eye, so decided on staying in the back of the room, out of sight. She sighed and turned her attention to her computer, lifting the screen and flipping the switch on, watching the screen go to work starting up. Soon she was absorbed in her latest project again, only hampered slightly by the cast on her arm that she was used to manoeuvring now. Before she knew it Brian was poking his head in the door, followed by his new bodyguard John. Sue packed her computer up and packed it safely away, David locking the room safely behind them. It was only a short walk to the conference area so they walked over hand in hand, met along the way by Howie. As they arrived they waited on Nick who was only a moment behind them. Sue told Brian she would watch from the wings, not wanting to draw any attention to herself. Not only because of Spencer, but she was still not used to the attention being Brian's girlfriend brought with it. They filed in one by one to a cheering pierced occasionally by the odd squeal making Sue giggle. This attention to the guys was something she didn't fully understand yet, but she would have to get used to. She peered through the door, smiling to her self at the array of fans sitting and waiting to ask the guys a question. They were all ages, which surprised Sue. It was good to see the music touched so many, from young early teens and earlier, to moms and grandmas. She turned to see Jac, who had popped up beside her to join her in her safe position. Everything was going well, the Boys were all animated in their chat, laughing at times, serious at others. They couldn't hear what was going on from where they were, but they was still enjoying it. Sue decided she had to ask Brian all about the questions during the evening. Suddenly Brian's face closed. It was a visible transformation from even where Sue stood and she wished she could hear what was being said. "Did you see that Jac?" Sue asked her. "What's going on in there?" "I dunno, but it didn't look good. None of the Boys are looking particularly happy now." Jac replied, a worried expression on her face. They watched as one by one the Boys seemed to say a quick goodbye to the fans and stood up to leave. A man in the crowd who had been sitting close to the edge stopped Brian and he showed him something. His face fell and he looked daggers at the man. Sue could tell he wanted to say something to him, but he restrained himself and was led away quickly by John. He burst through the door Sue and Jac had been standing, a thunderous look in his eyes. The moment he saw Sue his eyes softened. He pulled her into his arms resting his head next to hers. "Come on lets go back." "Brian, what happened in there?" His eyes may have mellowed on seeing her, but Sue knew there was still something drastically wrong. She felt a chill of uneasiness go through her remembering the look on his face. "Lets just get back," he said and led her away, moving quickly. The others were milling out of the room and Kevin called out to Brian. "Later," Brian told him and kept moving, almost dragging Sue along with him. She had to hurry more than usual to keep up with him. Once inside their dressing room Brian pulled Sue into his arms. "You know I love you don't you? You know I would never cheat on you?" he asked Sue. She was taken by surprise at that question and looked at him with astonishment. "Brian?" she asked. Where was he leading with such a question? He pulled her tighter to his body and kissed her softly on the side of her forehead. "Just tell me you know. I love you so much I would never do anything to hurt you." "I know that Brian. What makes you think I don't know that?" He sighed heavily. He leaned down and kissed her, his lips lingering on hers. "Something happened in there," he said motioning back to the direction they had come from. He pulled her over to the lounge and down to sit with him. The room was silent but the silence was deafening to her. They were alone in the room, all the guards standing outside the closed room. "What happened Brian? Tell me." Sue urged. She didn't like his silence and to ask the question he had was scaring her. "Everything was going along fine," he had a faraway look on his face as he spoke. "You know the fans have the best questions, better than any reporter out there. They know us, they care about us, and they ask sensible questions." He chuckled, "well, for the most part. I hate that boxers or briefs question." Sue chuckled with him, watching his mood change again. "But the reporters, the media who are after any kind of story, that's a different matter." He stopped trying to weigh up his words, his fingers opening and closing over Sue's as he was thinking. "One of them Sue, asked why the show was held up last night. He asked if it had anything to do with the postponed concert and what the real reason for that was. I just froze, I didn't know what to say. All the guys were stumped mainly because we haven't been told what to say in this situation. We had no idea the press were suspicious. I should have known though." "So what did you say?" Sue asked him, wanting him to keep talking. She knew he had to get it off his chest. "Kevin covered for me. He usually does when one of us get a difficult question. Or Howie. Depending on the question I guess." He was saying something for the sake of saying it. He took a deep breath. "When I was leaving the same reporter came up to me to show me a photo. It was supposedly of me with some other woman and he asked me if you knew, if the world knew about it. Sue," he looked at her with pleading eyes. "It wasn't me." She didn't realise what he was telling her. "What wasn't you Brian?" "The person in the picture Sue. He was in a compromising position, and he…" Brian looked away then returned his eyes to Sue. He lay his hand on her face. "He looked like me. It wasn't me Sue." "It was Spencer," Sue said quietly. "Yes it was Spencer. It had to be him. I was with you that night. It was taken the night you were in hospital. I was with you the whole night." Sue leaned over and kissed him softly on the cheek. "I know you were Brian, and in answer to your earlier question Brian. Yes I know you love me. I know you wouldn't do anything like this. Not only not do it to me, but you wouldn't do this at all." She looked at him. "What are you going to do Brian?" He let out a long sigh. "I don't know Sue. I really don't. What can I do? I think I will need help on this one." "Sounds like a good idea." Brian seemed lost in his thoughts for a while. "It worries me what he is planning, and the trouble he can get into. I have to speak to the police, management, security, anyone," he finally said as his cell-phone began ringing. Brian answered it, frowning at the interruption, barking a hello into it. "You got my photo I gather," was all Brian heard followed by a short burst of laughter. Then the phone went dead. |