''I didn't know we had our own physician'' whispered AJ
''We don't'' answered Kevin.. ''he's from the hospital''
Nicks' jaw ached from repeatedly opening wide and saying 'ah'
He didn't see the point, the whole thing was verging on ridiculous, the examination was becoming a joke to him.
Brian could see the mischievous glint in Fracks eyes and he smiled... pleased that his buddy was feeling more like his old self.
''Well... Mr Carter... I suggest you warm up your voice properly and see how it feels... plenty of fluids and you may just get away with your concert.''
Nick was nodding like a lunatic making Brian laugh... they couldn't look at one another it would end in hysterics.
The doctor packed away his things and Kevin showed him out.
Nick and Brian leapt up and down excitedly waving their arms about.
Nicks' voice was still a little rough when he spoke but he knew he'd be okay...there was no way he was gonna cancel this show.
Even if they had to make a special announcement to the fans to be gentle with him if he croaked too much... then that's what they would do
Heather rushed in... ''Well?.... well... what did he say?''
''Where have you been?'' Nick held his arms out to welcome her.
''Never mind that... what did he say?''
Brian answered for Nick who was too busy gazing at her.
''He's Ok... he can sing tonight providing we warm him up well!''
Nick grabbed her and pulled her close, ''You can do that can't you babe..... you can warm me up real good''
He smuggled a kiss onto her lips and she slid her arms around him and kissed him back
''I'm so glad you're ok''
Nick just smiled and repeated his question ''So where were you?''
''erm..... packing a few things''
''Why?''
''Well the assignment's nearly over and I can't afford to stay in this hotel much longer''
''I thought your bosses were paying for it?''
Thankfully Kevin changed the subject ''C'mon you guys we gotta go ....rehersal calls...put her down Nick!''
Nick let go of her.
Heather grabbed her camera case and Nicks' outstreched hand and they left for the auditoruium.
Heather had seen the concert and the rehersal a few times in the course of this particular job .....
but this would be the first time as Nicks' girlfriend.
She viewed it with a different pair of eyes.
True.. she still had footage to record , as this was the last concert in this area.
As before she would have to be on the stage filming during the concert.. only.... this time there would be no Danny.
He had been the other half of the team, they'd filmed the shows together.
She watched Nick up on the stage and felt a few tears prickling her eyes when she thought of what could have been.
The guys warmed Nick up slowly,and let him sing just a couple of songs.
Usually they rehersed to the back track anyway.
Heather adjusted the steadicam and crept around the set quietly filming....little pieces here and there that would then be spliced together for the documentary.
It felt a little strange being near Nick like this, kind of erotic....knowing him like she did...occasionally as she passed by one of them would make faces at the camera......
this was their way...goofing around it made it look spontaneous and 'of the moment'.
What was worrying her most was how she'd feel seeing and hearing all those girls screaming for Nick!
She'd heard it before, in fact she filmed them from onstage, she smiled at the memory of groups of girls straining to get themselves in shot...holding up their banners with... 'I love Nick' and 'Kiss Me Kevin'.
The guys were so good with the girls.... never tiring from waving, smiling....singling a small group out making them squeal with delight.
But this time they would be screaming their adoration of her boyfriend... she'd seen how he reacted before.. he enjoyed it without question...what man wouldn't.
Certainly watching him up there had turned her on... his energy...his lust for the performance...his obvious joy of the job!
She'd not been able to tell him how good he was... hell ...in those first few days she could barely breathe in his presence let alone speak to him.
Never in her wildest dreams did she dare believe that they would be together...dimissing the notion outright as un-professional...well she knew what Nick had to say about that!
Her filming done she started to pack away her equipment.
The plan had been to film only the first half of this last concert...why she wasn't sure..but she hadn't argued...
Danny had been the senior cameraman, and even with him gone the plan had to be followed.
Heathers' thoughts turned to how on earth she was going to tell Nick about South America... and the fact that she had a plane to catch in less than five days!
She'd meant to mention it earlier but there had never been a good time to bring it up.
Not that now was a good time either.
She decided to wait until after the concert... she was afraid that he'd get mad and she really didn't want to distract him from his work.
The rehersal finished and Nicks' voice had held out for the songs he sang... they figured if he continued to rest his voice then by tonight he'd be truly ok.
Another reason not to tell him she was going away!
Nick jumped down the last few steps from the stage and picked her up in his arms...kissing her as he did so.
''What shall we do now?''
''Well for a start you can put me down''
''Why?''
''Because!''
''Not good enough''
''Nick ..just put me down''
''Okay what's up...'' he stood her back on the ground ''I know something is ...so you'd better just tell me!''
Brian tugged his arm
''C'mon food awaits''
Nick turned back to her ''Let me eat first ...maybe I'll stomach it better..I've gotta feeling
I'm in trouble or something''
she called after him
''I'll see you back at the hotel''
He dissappeared into a walled off area and she picked up her cases and made her way back to the hotel.... all the time doing her own rehersal in her head of just how she was going to tell him about the trip.
Back in her room..she threw herself on to the bed and within miutes she was asleep.
As she drifted off she could hear Nick singing, he was good..very good!