~*~Chapter Forteen~*~

Charlotte Littrell sat in the backyard reading a book as Alex and Amanda played in the swimming pool.

Brian stuck his head outside and smiled, "Honey, come meet our new neighboors."

Charlotte put her book down, then walked through the house out the front door to see a moving van there. A tall brunette walked up, "Hi, my name's Jennifer. I'm your new neighboor." A man walked up, "And this is my husband, Chris."

Brian stuck his hand out and shook theirs, followed by Charlotte, "Pleased to meet you... have we met before? You look terribly familiar."

"You know," Jennifer said with a laugh, "I was just thinking the same thing. How odd! Perhaps we have met before... who know? I used to be quite a huge Backstreet Boys fan."

"So you recognised us?" Brian asked.

"Of course, how could she not?" Chris asked, "That's one of the reasons she insisted on moving here."

"Chris!" she exclaimed, hitting him playfully.

"Well, it was nice meeting you, but we've got to get to unpacking," Jennifer said, "Perhaps we'll see you around."

"Yes, that would be wonderful. Why don't we get together later?" Charlotte suggested.

"Oh, I'm going shopping later... unless you want to come with me?" Jennifer asked hopefully.

"Sure," Charlotte said, "Just stop by when you're ready."

"Great!" Jennifer said, "I'll see you later."

~*~Chapter Fifteen~*~

*in California*

"That's it, Matthew! It's over between us!" Marianne ran upstairs and pulled out a suitcase, starting to pack.

Matt walked upstairs, "C'mon, Mari, I said I was sorry."

"Sorry? Sorry means you didn't mean to do it. Don't tell me you didn't mean to sleep with my best friend!" she slapped him, then walked out of the house.

Marianne drove around furious for hours, not knowing what to do or where to go. Her ex-best friend's house was out of the question, and with no where else to go, she called Brian.
--
*in Orlando*

*ring ring* *ring ring*

Brian picked up the phone, "Hello?"

"Hi, Brian? It's Marianne."

"What's wrong?" he asked, she sounded distressed.

"Who is it?" Charlotte asked.

Brian covered the reciever, "It's Marianne - I think something's wrong."

Marianne continued, she hadn't hear Charlotte, "My boyfriend and I just broke up, and I have no where to go."

"What about Meaghan's house?" he asked.

Marianne shook her head, "No, I can't go there. I'm sorry, but I had no one else to turn to."

"Why not?" Brian asked.

"Trust me, I just can't. I'm at the airport now, and my plane leaves in about twenty minutes. I'd understand if you don't want me to stay with you, but I just had to get away from -"

"Of course you can stay with us," Brian interrupted her, "Just let me check with Charlotte." He turned to Charlotte, "Marianne is coming to Orlando and doesn't have anywhere to stay, and she wanted to know -"

Charlotte smiled knowingly, "I'll go set up the guestroom."

"You've got our address, right?" Brian asked Marianne.

"Yes... thank you."

"See ya in a few."

"Bye."

Just then the doorbell rang. "Hey Jennifer!" Brian heard Charlotte say, "Brian! Jennifer's here, we're taking off!"

"Ok, I'll make sure and get the kids to bed on time!"

*seven hours later*

Brian was becoming worried, Charlotte still wasn't home and it wasn't like her at all to be gone that long without calling or anything. He called next door, "Hey, Chris, is Jennifer back yet? ... Neither is Charlotte, I wonder where they could be ... ok, I'll let you know if I hear from them ... thanks ... bye."

He wondered if Krysti knew where they were.

*in Tampa*

*ring ring*

"Hello, I'm not in right now, but please leave a message after the beep."

Brian waited for the beep then began to talk, "Hi Krysti, it's Brian and I -"

He was interrupted by a fit of giggles, "Hi, Rok. It's Krysti, what up?"

"I was wondering if you had seen Charlotte, she's been gone a long time and I'm worried."

Krysti became serious, "No, I haven't seen her. How long has she been gone?" Memories of a time that seemed just like yesterday flooded her mind. She tried to push them away, "Are you ok?"

"Yes, I'm fine, but Charlotte..." he trailed off as the doorbell rang, "Hang on."

He put the phone down, but Krysti was still able to hear. "Hi, Marianne! You're here already? C'mon in."

He walked back over to the phone and Krysti asked, "Why's she there? I thought she was in college in California or something."

"She was, but she broke up with her boyfriend and had no where to say," he lowered his voice, "Look, I'm really worried about Charlotte. I don't wanna worry Marianne 'cuz she's had enough problems today, but I think something might be wrong."

"I'll be right over."

"Thanks," he hung up the phone and looked up to find Marianne staring at him.

~*~Chapter Sixteen~*~

"What's wrong?" Marianne asked concerned.

"Nothing, why would anything be wrong?" he said, trying to smile.

"Brian, don't lie to me," Marianne said, upset that he felt he couldn't share whatever it was with her, "I saw that look on your face. Tell me... PLEASE."

He sighed heavily, "Charlotte's been gone for a while and I'm just a little worried."

"Oh, how long?" Marianne probed.

"About seven hours."

"Seven hours!?!" Marianne asked, "Where'd she go?"

"Shopping, but I didn't think it would take seven hours."

"Brian, don't worry," Marianne said, freaking out worst than him, "I'm sure she's fine... really, she HAS to be."

"I'm going to call the neighbor, ok?" Brian picked up the phone, "Hi, it's Brian ... is Jennifer back yet? ... neither is Charlotte ... I'm worried too ... sure, I'll be right over, is it ok if my friend comes? ... great ... see you in a few ... bye."

"C'mon Marianne," Brian said, writing Krysti a note to go next door, "We're going over to our neighboors."

"Ok."

They were greeted at the fron door by a gun. "Get inside, now."