Date: Sun, 28 Apr 2002 00:08:34 +0000
From: Chained Soul <expression_of_truth@hotmail.com>
Subject: 'Angelic Damnation' chapter two

Disclaimer:  First and foremost, this story is NOT true and is
not meant to imply anything about any of the celebrities mentioned.
Secondly, this story is similiar to the story 'Cosmic Companions'
written by Shell, Kat, Jackie, and Colleen. I love the story and recommend
that you read it, but 'Angelic Damnation' is not meant
to be a rip off of their story. To the authors of 'Cosmic Companions'
You rock! I love the story and am glad the bad guys got what they
had coming. But, I don't want to give away the story so I'll shut up.
	Also, my story involves the Backstreet Boys and contains
consensual male/male sex. If you are not entertained by stories of
this nature, you've stumbled into the wrong site. Please leave now.
I know, I know. If you weren't interested, you wouldn't be here, but
I'm required to write that anyway.
	Questions, comments, and flames can be sent to
Expression_of_Truth@hotmail.com
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This chapter is dedicated to RisingPhoenix391~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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	Nick paced, wrung his hands, chewed on his bottom lip. 'Do I tell Kevin and
Bri?' he kept asking himself. He picked up a pillow from his bed and threw
it across the room. 'What do I do? It's not my place to tell the other guys.
We all have the right to our secrets but...'
	Nick threw another pillow, this time knocking over and breaking a lamp. The
crash made him feel better, though he couldn't explain why. 'I have to tell
them about the drinking at least. Aje could be killing himself and they
don't know.'
	Nick let out a wry laugh. 'Kevin's gonna skin him alive.' Grabbing his key
card and wallet, Nick left his room, intent on finding the cousins of the
group.
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	Howie had gone back to his room. Aj had showered and was now contently
cleaning his room up after his time with Howie. He'd just finished making
the bed when he spotted his black duffle bag sitting in one corner of the
room. He well knew that he had a bottle of vodka tucked beneath his clothes,
near the bottom of the bag. How easy would it be to drink away his worry
over what Nick now knew? How quickly could he make himself forget? No. He'd
promised Howie that he'd give it up and he was determined to do so. He said
he'd never drink again. Ever. And when Aj made a promise, it may as well be
written in blood.
	He walked over to the duffle bag and pulled out the unopened bottle. He was
determined to prove to Howie that he had the strength to give this up. And
he had to prove it to himself. He left his room and began to walk down the
hall to Howie's room so he could watch as Aj poured the liquor down the
drain of the sink.
	But, just as he was about to knock on the door, he heard Kevin's strong
voice and froze. Kevin was the 'group dad,' so to speak. He was the one they
all looked up to, the one they all ran to. He could handle anything. And
when he was angry, people knew to stay out of his way. And he was royally
pissed this time.
	"Hold it! My room, Aj, now! We need to talk." Turning to walk back to his
room, he looked briefly at Nick and Brian, "You guys get Howie. This needs
to be resolved. Aj is not going to do this anymore. And if I have to beat
that into him, so help me, I will!" he all but growled.
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	They'd all convened in Kevin's room and were sitting in a tense silence. No
one spoke. Aj still held the bottle, though it was clear that he'd forgotten
about it as he stared at Kevin who sat a few feet from him. Aj thought this
particular meeting was about the relationship between himself and Howie.
Howie had no idea what to think. Nick had said something to Brian and Kevin,
that much was obvious; but what exactly had he told them?
	Howie and Aj both knew that dating was nearly out of the question given
their fame. Celebrities had the difficult task of always looking available
to their fans, while never truly being available. Aj glanced at Nick, who
looked nearly sorry for saying anything. Brian was discreetly studying
Howie, who looked nearly as nervous as Aj. 'What the hell does Howie have to
be worried about?'
	Kevin stood and advanced rather heavily on Aj. He stopped a mere foot in
front of him and glared down at him. Aj refused to meet his gaze. Kevin
snatched the bottle from Aj and threw it against the wall furthest from
them, where it shattered and fell to the floor in a rain of glass and
liquid.
	"I don't know what the hell you were thinking but it stops here! Do you
even realize what it can do to you? I've lost two members of my family to
alcohol, and I will not let you be the third. You hear me, Alexander? I want
your word. Think of the fans. They pay to come to the concerts and expect to
see us at our best. You need to take better care of yourself. You owe them
that much. And think of the effect it would have on all of us. We care about
you. We don't want to watch you die. Now, you swear it here, on your very
life, that you will not drink anymore. Or that life is exactly what the
drinking will take from you!"
	Aj hung his head, whispering "I promise."
	"Ok. I will personally hold you to that, Aj. Absolutely no more of this.
Now out everyone. It's late. We'll see you all in the morning." Kevin said,
his anger quickly leaving him. He rarely stayed angry for long.
	Nick waited until everyone else was out of the room before he turned to
Kevin.
	"You think he meant it?" he asked, referring to Aj's promise.
	"We'll just have to wait and see. I think tomorrow is gonna be hellish. I'm
gonna go shower. I'll see you in the morning. Get some sleep, Nicky."
	Nick nodded. He and Kevin had shared a room ever since the band began
touring just after their first album was released in the United States. Nick
just never felt safe sleeping alone. They always got a room with two single
beds, as Kevin was uncomfortable sleeping next to Nick and told him that it
was just the age difference.
	Nick slipped into his bed and curled up, knowing full well that he wouldn't
be able to sleep. Discovering Howie and Aj's relationship had made quite an
impact on him. It made him think. Could it actually work? Could one be a
celebrity and still manage to find love? Sighing, he turned on his side to
get more comfortable. It was going to be a long night.
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End chapter two.