| Brian raced towards the bathroom and noticed it wasn't locked. He didn't think she was there, but he had to check. "Sue!" he called out frantically. All that greeted him were the hollow sounds of an empty bathroom. He came back out into the room and looked around, his heart pounding as he did. Where could she be? Could she have been that scared when she woke she freaked out and left? He noticed the bed and scooted over on his knees to look underneath to see if she was cowering under there. She had done that before, though never under a bed. Once again he came up empty. He closed his eyes running his fingers through his hair, fear slicing through him. She could be anywhere. Why had he let Kevin talk him into leaving her? Everything was Spencer's fault. He had caused the panic among fans that had needed to be righted. He had caused the terror in their lives. He hated him and was glad he was gone. Never again would he darken their lives. He saw her hospital gown lying on the end of the bed, neatly folded. He checked the cupboard and her clothes were gone. She had changed into her clothes and gone, he knew it. When he looked in the drawer for her handbag and found it gone too, he knew for sure. Where could she have gone too? Surely she wouldn't wander too far, she was in a strange city. Unless she was leaving. His heart skipped another beat at the thought that she just couldn't take being with him any more. "No, please God no, don't let that be the reason," he silently said to himself. Kevin walked in the room as he was about to fly out, catching him with two firm hands on his arms holding him still. "Hey, where you off to in such a hurry." He could tell Brian was agitated. Something had gone wrong. "She's gone," Brian yelled, trying to struggle out of Kevin's arms. He didn't want to be here talking to Kevin. He wanted to be out there looking for Sue. He had to find her. She could be in trouble. He fought against Kevin's arms, but the big man had a firm grip on him, determined not to let him go. "What are you talking about?" Kevin asked him, confusion in his voice, his heavy brows knitted together. He looked over Brian's shoulder to the bed to see Sue, but she wasn't there. A feeling of dread hit at the pit of his stomach. He digested the scene and what it meant before speaking to Brian, still trying to escape his hold on his arms. He knew if he let Brian go he would be out of sight before he knew what was going on. "Brian. Calm down. Lets see if anyone saw her." No one at the nurses station had seen anything, due to a medical emergency in one of the adjacent rooms and panic among the staff began to build at the thought of losing a patient. It was nothing on what Brian was feeling though and his actions demonstrated it. His mind was racing with possibilities. He knew their most recent danger of Spencer was not in the equation this time, but there were so many more. Her state of mind is what worried him the most. Was she aware of where she was, why she'd been here, where she should be? Or had she been comprehending everything fully and just had enough, needing to get away? Every possibility he thought of chilled him to the bone. Feeling as terrified as he had earlier in the day he lowered his head and cried. Kevin pulled him into his arms, hugging him while Brian controlled himself again. Fear was driving through him, laced with worry and there was nothing Kevin could do to help Brian through those feelings right now, but to be there for him. They had to inform the police and Kevin got on to that, followed by calling Will and David back. They had been relieved of duty for the day once they had gotten them both safely to the hospital. The media! Brian suddenly remembered the media. Would they still be here? A local media group might be able to help him find Sue. They could run an additional story to the press conference he had just done. Anything at this stage, that would help him find Sue he would be willing to try. He took off at break neck speed down the corridor leaving a stunned Kevin behind. He had that one mission in mind and nothing else mattered. He reacted, following Brian, knowing he was in no state to be left alone. Who knows where he would end up? The media crew from the local TV station that had filmed the press conference were all too happy to help Brian in his quest to find Sue. They had been packing up and set their equipment up again. Brian was feeling edgy, wanting to go out and search for Sue, but he knew he had to be patient and wait. Patience was not his strongest point at the best of times. Now it was impossible and he felt as if he was treading on eggshells. He wanted to scream at them to hurry. He knew he would look like Hell once the cameras were on him, but that didn't matter. Nothing else mattered now. The interview finally over and Brian left, just as Kevin was talking to the police. He checked the hospital room again, throwing a cursory glance towards the nurses as he left and on seeing them shake their heads sadly, he ran towards the elevator, punching the button to the ground floor savagely. Everything felt as if it was moving in slow motion when all he wanted to do was run. He began by searching the hospital grounds coming up empty. He tried the hospital cafeteria, the shop, every little place she could be, to no avail. He rang for a car to be brought to him while he took another look at the grounds. Scenes of happy people on the grassed area only made him angry, but he had to keep looking. He wanted Sue with him to be in those happy scenes. He drove for hours around the city. He was becoming frantic with worry. He didn't believe she would have left him and was of the opinion the mornings incident had been blocked out of her mind and she was now wandering the city totally lost, not knowing where to go. It was beginning to get dark as he stopped the car and dropped his head into his hands and all the frustration and fear came to the surface, tears beginning to fall down his face. He just didn't know what to do. Once it became dark what could he do? Why didn't she call him? He was even at the stage that if she wanted a break from everything, including him, he would handle that. He just needed to know she was safe. He looked up and realised he was in front of a church. Without thought he got out of the car and walked towards the church steps. He was thankful he wasn't in a huge endlessly sprawling city, but the miles he had driven today, it could well have the size of Los Angeles. He walked inside feeling the power of prayer would help guide him in the next step to be taken. ********** Sue had awoken in her hospital bed earlier that afternoon feeling disorientated. She realised it was a hospital, but it was a really expensive looking one and she wondered how she could afford to be in a hospital this nice. And what was she doing here anyway? She felt okay. Where was Brian? She thought he had been here. Maybe he had gone back on tour and she had forgotten. Why was her head so fuzzy? It didn't hurt, it was just as if she was missing something. Something important. She looked down and noticed she was in a hospital gown. She shook her head, trying to clear it and remember why she was here and came up blank. But she didn't like it here so she had to get out. The fact that someone might have been here with her wasn't a consideration to her at the time. Her mind was confused. She climbed out of the bed and looked for her clothes. That wasn't a difficult thing to do. They were neatly folded and put in the cupboard in the corner. She collected her things and went to the bathroom to change. That done she opened a drawer and picked up her handbag that had been stored there. She took her wallet out and smiled when she saw a picture of Brian smiling up at her. He never failed to make her heart flutter when she saw him, even in print. When they were together it was magical. She loved him so very much and he knew she did. She wished he were with her now. She was confused and he would help her. Of that she was certain. She walked out of the room looking for a nurse or someone to explain that she was leaving. There seemed to be no one around, not a soul, but hearing a commotion in one of the far rooms, she guessed there was some kind of emergency. She probably should have stayed, to tell someone, but she was beginning to feel agitated, like she didn't belong there. Suddenly she began to feel she had to escape. Visions of something terrible were invading her consciousness and she didn't like it. She ran towards the elevator and on the ground floor she ran out of the hospital as fast as she could, slowing to a fast walk once she reached the grassed area. The sun was shining brightly and she stopped, lifting her face to the suns warm rays and closed her eyes. It felt good to be outdoors again, she disliked hospitals. Now why did she dislike hospitals so much? She couldn't remember. She stood for a while feeling the sun and the slight breeze blowing through her hair, hearing birds chirping in the afternoon hours. It was soothing to stand there. Before long she began to walk. She had no idea where she was and recognised none of the streets she saw. She frowned, feeling a little nervous. Maybe she should take a cab home. But right now, walking felt like something she wanted to do, so she kept walking, enjoying the day. She began to feel hungry and reached into her pocket for some small change as she past a sandwich shop. She walked in and saw the TV on watching some man talk about the death of some man early this morning. She tuned out, not wanting to hear any more bad news and ordered herself a ham salad sandwich. She saw a newspaper for sale on the counter and noticed the date. Excitement travelled through her at the date. Brian would soon be home again, the current Backstreet Boys tour being close to the end. She could spend all her time with him then. Funny, she couldn't even remember what project she was working on at work now. So she should have a lot of time for Brian when he got home. Getting a Pepsi out of the fridge and paying for her purchase, she left the shop, just as the report about Sue came on the TV. She found a park and sat at a bench to eat her lunch. She looked up and guessed it was probably a late lunch she was having by the position of the sun, maybe even an early dinner. No wonder her belly had been grumbling so loudly. The drink was welcome too she had been thirsty. She thought while she ate. Why couldn't she remember anything? Her short term memory was totally gone and that scared her. The fact that she didn't recognise where she was didn't help. She'd soon have to get home for her dinner. Maybe Brian would ring her later. Once she was finished she picked up her trash and threw it in the trash can down the path. She wandered along the path a little further and saw a pond full of ducks and geese. She stopped and watched them, wishing she had kept some of her bread to feed them. They waddled up to her to see if she had any offerings, but she was empty handed so they left, leaving Sue chuckling at them. She shook her head and walked further. Funny, she didn't remember ever being in this part of town. She should give Brian a ring, but she didn't have her phone with her. It was beginning to get late and Sue didn't know how far she had walked. The sky was darkening and she still hadn't seen anything that would trigger her memory as to where she was. Now she was beginning to get worried. Her feet were beginning to hurt and it was time to find out where she was. She spied a church not far up the road and decided that would be a good place to ask. She walked the short distance to the church with a confident spring in her step. She just knew all would be well when she got there. She walked into the church that was softly lit in the early evening glow, a calm washing over her as she did. It was quiet inside and she didn't think anyone was in there. She scanned the interior, beautifully decorated everywhere she looked. A single person was inside the church. He was kneeling and looked like he was praying. Would this person be able to help her she wondered. She looked closer and it amazed her that this man was so much like Brian's build, even going so far to be wearing clothes like she knew he owned. She shook her head to clear it and walked a little closer. "Please God, please look out for her and bring her back to me. I love her so much, I need her," she heard him say. He even sounded like Brian. "Brian?" Sue asked tentatively, not wanting to startle the man or have him think she was a fool. Brian heard Sue's voice calling him quietly and he thought he was imagining it. He turned to look and saw her standing behind him, a shy smile on her face. He blinked, knowing he had to be imagining the vision in front of him. All afternoon he had been looking for Sue and to think she would find him praying in church was too much to hope for. It would be impossible. He looked again. It was Sue! He was frozen to the spot, not believing his eyes. Then the realisation that Sue was in front of him sunk into his brain and he jumped up to her. "Sue. Where have you been?" he asked her stopping short of taking her into his arms. All he wanted to do was take her into his arms and hold her, hold her like he would never ever let her go again, but something stopped him. She looked confused and she looked around from side to side, trying to make sense of the situation. "I've been…" she stopped and closed her eyes before continuing. "Brian, I've been walking. I didn't know where I was so I kept walking. It was so nice outside, but then I got worried and came in here," she told him with a frightened voice. The enormity of the situation was getting to her and Brian sensed she was getting worked up. Her body language was coming through and he could read her like a book. She needed comfort now, nothing more or nothing less. "It's okay, everything is okay now." He held out his hands. "Come here," he said to her barely audible. Sue moved into his arms and he pulled her in tightly. He'd never been so relieved as he was right now. He knew they had a long way to go, Sue had obviously blocked the trauma out of her mind, but right at that moment, the only thing that mattered was that he had Sue back in his arms. He held her close, their bodies pressed together tenderly. He inhaled her scent and sighed, the relief he felt overtaking his body. He looked in her eyes. "I was so worried about you." His fingers traced down the side of her face, cupping her cheek in his hand, his other hand gliding through her hair. "I love you Sue," he finally said. Nothing else mattered at that moment than holding her in his arms and telling her how much he loved her. Sue smiled at him. She lay her hand on his laying on her cheek and took it in hers, entwining their fingers. She looked up at him, her eyes glittering brightly. "Brian, I love you too," she said quietly. Brian moved towards her slowly. He needed to feel her lips on his. All afternoon he had been terrified that he would never be holding her in his arms, like he was right now again. His lips brushed hers softly moving away mere inches and returning again. He felt the love between them in the brief kiss and leaned down for another one, their lips clinging this time. Sue moaned, her warm wet tongue slipping out to slide along his bottom lip. He groaned, wishing he could deepen the kiss as she wanted, but he had to get her back. Everyone was looking for her, he had to let them know she was safe. Once they were back in their hotel he would kiss her like she wanted. Like they both wanted. Brian stepped away. "Lets get you back hey?" he said to her. "There are a lot of people worrying about you." Sue smiled ruefully and nodded and they turned to leave the church, their arms lovingly draped around each other. Brian felt on top of the world for the moment. He took pleasure in that for now because he knew at any given time it could all come crashing down around him and then he would just have to be there for Sue, every time she needed him. In the car as Brian drove Sue was quiet until they neared the hotel. "Brian. Whose car is this?" she asked him surprising him with the question. "It belongs to the hotel, I borrowed it to look for you." She digested that piece of information. "But, why was I missing?" Brian realised this was going to be traumatic for her to deal with, she remembered nothing of the day and he didn't know how she would react when she did. It scared him to think of the moment when she remembered. "Do you remember leaving the hospital?" "Yes. I got up and wondered why I was there. Why was I there? I got up and tried to go home," she said looking out the window, trying to see something that triggered her memory. "I couldn't find home. I couldn't find anything I recognised." "Baby, we are a long way from home. We're on tour." She looked confused again. "You joined me on the tour." "But why was I in hospital?" "We were there, both of us, to be…" he stopped. He didn't know what to say. "Sue, can I tell you once we are back?" he asked her. He didn't know if he could cope if she remembered it all as he drove. "Okay," she answered smiling at him, leaning over to take his hand closest to her. "So I joined you on tour? That's great. Not much longer to go is there?" Brian smiled nervously. "No, not really, 10 more days actually. We have tonight off. Tomorrow we head off again." He was nearing the hotel and noticed Sue's demeanour change. Fans out the front of the hotel cheered when they saw Brian and Sue pull up in the hotel car. This confused Sue even more because normally fans would like an autograph, a wave, anything, but this time they just cheered. Some of these fans had been there this morning and relief was evident on their expressions. They allowed them to enter without any interference, parking the car and strolling arm in arm quickly to the reception to get their new key. Again someone had moved all their belongings to another room. But it wasn't the room that triggered a response from Sue. The moment they stepped into the hallway of their new floor, she began to shake. Brian felt her shaking and knew what was coming, preparing himself to be her strength. As they stood in front of their door she was shaking her head from side to side rapidly. "No, I can't go in there. He's in there." She said frantically. "He's going to hurt us." She was trying to back away from the door out of Brian's arms, a terrified look on her face. "Sue," Brian held her close. "There's no one in there. He can't hurt you anymore. Ever." "He's… dead?" Sue asked Brian, her breathing still rapid. "Yes Baby, he's dead." She seemed to relax but the moment they were inside the room she screamed, crying uncontrollably. |