Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2001 19:30:13 -0000
From: David Carmona <ccrowsfan1@hotmail.com>
Subject: "Coming Home Again", 1-2

"Coming Home Again", Chapter One

By David Carmona.

This story is complete and utter fiction. I make no claims on the
sexuality of the Backstreet Boys, and in particular Nick Carter. As much
as I'd WISH it to be so. All characters used herein and sexual
preferences of the Backstreet Boys, are made up out of whole cloth right
out of my head, or inspired by fictional characters I know of.

Good people at Nifty, and I love the work that is archived here.

A good tradition that I feel worth doing, is naming some of the fine
Nifty stories that I recommend reading. So without further ado, here's
my list of favorites, most of which is in Boybands: "Nick and the Altos",
"Jamie's Romance", "Lance's Search", "Just Together" (In the celeb
section. BTW, I would REALLY be interested to see more celeb fiction
written. In the last few months to a year, there have been... erratic
celeb fic entries. Whatever happened to all the creative writing about
young celeb guys? Me Want More!!!), "Forever", "Love Thru Chat",
"Yellow", "Ghost" (which INSPIRED this story, actually!), and in the
sf/fantasy section, "Marc" and "Through Time". Some of these stories,
the authors haven't posted new chappies of. I dunno if it's because of
lack of interest, time, or lack of feedback. As an author, I cannot
express enough the positive power of fan feedback. WRITE YOUR NIFTY
AUTHORS!! (Okay, off my soapbox now.)

Time for the yadda, yadda sex disclaimers (Not that they're needed THIS
early in the game, but I prefer caution anyway): If consenting sexual
acts by men are either illegal, or considered immoral where you come
from... you know where the back button is on your browser. I suggest you
CLICK on it, thank you. If not... please enjoy!

"Uh... okay. Let me see if I've got this straight, Nick. You're selling
your house in Florida? That one you LOVED, by the ocean? Why?" Brian
Littrell asked, shaking his head in total confusion. The two of them were
sitting in Brian's hotel room having a late-night discussion, during the
first leg of the new Black and Blue tour.

"Bri... Mandy and I picked that place. WE lived there. Together." Nick
Carter responded, wincing a little as the hot coffee burned his tongue.

"So? The house IS yours'. YOU bought it."

"Yeah... but Bri... that relationship was NOT the most healthy. You knew
it... my family knew it... and God help me, the FANS all knew it. I was
the only one who didn't see it, until after maybe the THIRD time I wound
up going to the hospital, after she'd hit me. I just... I need TIME, Bri.
I can't really explain it." Nick sighed.

Brian shook his head, and sipped his coffee. "Okay, I can see where
y'all'd wanna move away from that house... so where are you planning to
go? Are you gonna stay here in Florida?"

Nick paused, and considered that thought. "Yes and no. I mean... yeah,
I'm gonna buy another place down here, otherwise I won't have a place to
stay, when everyone's together in Florida. Been thinking about a house I
saw out in Marathon, when I went for a drive after a fight. But
personally? I'm thinking of getting a retreat house, too. A place that I
can go to, when I need me time. And that's what I'm thinking about right
now. Getting in a little alone time, before things get all crazy again.
And I'll tell you why, too: Look at how we all are. My family has a house
up in California... you and Leigh have settled out in Georgia... it
doesn't really matter WHERE I buy a house to be alone at, it's only that
we can all still pull together to go on tours. I could move to ALASKA for
all it really matters."

Brian feigned mock-horror. "You're NOT, are you...? Moving to Alaska, I
mean."

Nick laughed. "Of COURSE not! I was just using that as an example. My
point is, no matter where we live when we're not touring, we'll still be
able to do our job, we'll still be Backstreet. You see what I'm talkin'
about, Frick?"

Brian nodded again. "I think I do. So, what sort of retreat house are you
interested in buying...?"

Nick made a face. "Well, one guy on a messageboard complained that the
house I'm selling now, is and I quote: "absolutely gorgeous, but it's a
double-damned monument to SPACE, and I don't know HOW he keeps it clean
when he's on tour." Nick and Brian rolled their eyes, knowing that the
description was pretty accurate. "I didn't think about it much at the
time I bought the house, but it WAS a bit much. Especially now."

Brian nodded. "Now that it's just you to consider. I know what you mean.
That house looked good for you and Mandy.. but you're not going to be
home much. So let me guess... you're going to be setting your sights a
little smaller?"

Nick sipped his coffee. "Exactly. I've been doing a little thinking about
my next choice. For one thing... I don't think I'll live by the beach,
this time. I LOVE the ocean... but one of my instant messenger friends
pointed out that beachfront insurance is killer. So what does that leave
me? I love water... but I don't want to live TOO close to it, this time."

Brian bit his lip. "A river or a resovoir?" he mused.

Nick nodded. "That's what I was thinking. Being close to water... but a
little more inland, so that the beach is a short drive away."

Brian agreed. "So, what else is there you're interested in?"

Nick frowned. "History. And location. This next house I buy... I don't
want to sell it easy. It should be one that's been around for awhile. And
I'd like to live a little closer to NYC, Bri. I mean, we get called up
there for MTV promotions so often... and frankly, I've just gotten sick
and tired of expecting to look forward to a long plane ride, every time
we gotta go to the TRL studio. Also, it shouldn't be a really big house.
Maybe four bedrooms?"

Brian smiled. "Sounds good... it'd have room for the guys, but wouldn't
be TOO big. Anything come up to your liking yet?"

Nick nodded again. "One. It's been around for about a hundred and fifty
years, but it's in remarkably good condition."

"And you want to investigate it." Brian responded, the question not
really one.

Nick breathed a deep sigh. "Well, I heard about the place by accident.
There's no picture of what it looks like... but you've got to admit. It
does sound unusual, doesn't it? A house that was built before the Civil
War, in better shape than it SHOULD be, for an abandoned house...?" Nick
finished his coffee. "Tell you what, man... We're not performing for the
next few days, and I'm going to take a trip this weekend to meet the
realtor I emailed. You want a look at the place with me?"

So that weekend, Nick and Brian's plane landed at the airport. "Pine
Meadow, Connecticut. Can't say I've ever heard of this place. Where's
this realtor we're supposed to meet with?" Brian asked. Nick shrugged,
and saw his realtor as she greeted him at the airport. "I think that's
her now," Nick observed.

"Mr. Carter, hi, I'm Janice Covington." Janice said. Nick raised an
eyebrow at his realtor. She was tall, with honey blonde hair, and wore a
smart business suit and glasses. Her hair was wrapped into a tight bun.

"Ms. Covington, it's good to meet you, finally. This is my friend Brian."
Nick said, politely.

Janice shook Brian's hand smartly but warmly. "Of course. Brian Littrell.
You can call me Janice. I know who YOU are, allright. My daughter Lindy
cried buckets at your wedding. Congratulations by the way." Brian had the
good sense to blush.

"I'll remind Brian to sign an autograph for your daughter, later. Now.
Where's your car? I'm curious to hear about this house your firm is
offering." Nick said, as they headed towards the door.

"I'll tell you all about the house on the way. Actually, I'm surprised
you're interested in the place. We've had a VERY unusual time trying to
find a decent buyer. We've had people come in... then leave,
unexpectedly. No explaination." Janice said, patting a very thick manilla
folder.

"Why don't you start from the beginning, Janice?" Brian said reasonably,
as they got into the car.

"Right." Janice said, starting the car. "Well... I think I should start
by saying, that the power, heat, lights, telephone... all the utilities
ARE functioning. It's an unusual house, as I said before." She frowned,
then looked over at the guys.

"ALL the utilities are running? Who's paying for it, the previous
owners?" Nick inquired, curious.

"That's the unusual part. A law firm is footing the bill. Or so I
understand the terms of the deed. Doesn't matter WHO owns the house...
the utilities are always paid on time by a law firm that by all rights,
barely anyone has even heard of. But the money is paid. I can't explain
it. People buy the house, and even try paying the utilities... and their
checks are refused. It's furnished, by the way." Janice said, as she
drove away from the airport.

Brian shook his head. "VERY strange. Nick, WHERE did you hear about this
place, anyway?"

Nick spoke up. "A search engine. I was looking for houses at a low
price... just for laughs. THIS place came up."

Janice nodded. "And fifty thousand is a STEAL, considering how
well-maintained it is. There's a caretaker, that the law firm maintains.
The guy's an eccentric. Nobody ever sees him come or go. But he's been
there almost since forever. He doesn't live there, not from what I
understand. He just keeps the place up. And since there's a regular
turnover of owners, the law firm I guess keeps the utilities paid, so
that the caretaker can work comfortably, there."

Nick shook his head in amazement. "One thing I don't get, is why the
asking price is so low, for such a well-preserved cottage."

Janice stopped at the light, and reached for the folder. "Let's see...
well, I've been doing a little research. Take a look at this." She handed
over a couple peices of paper, then resumed driving.

"Hm..." Nick mused. "You weren't KIDDING about the turnover of owners. 25
owners in the last fifty years ALONE." "Lemmie see, Frack." Brian said,
reaching for the papers.

"It lists reasons they opted to sell... what's this? Some owners were
arrested?" Brian whistled, in surprise. "Sounds like for a tiny little
four bedroom cottage, it sure sees it's share of excitement."

Janice winced. "Look, you guys... let me just show you the house, and let
you both make your decisions AFTER seeing it for yourselves.. okay?"

********At the house**********

The telephone rang. I picked it up after seeing the display. "Mikey!
How's Ohio?" I asked into the phone, happy to hear from my friend.

"Oh, it's okay, Alex. Just going day by day with classes, though."
Michael Line said, lying on his bed in his dorm room in Ohio.

"I think you're going to do WELL at college, you always were pretty good
with your schoolwork." I said encouragingly, and smiled.

"I miss you, Alex. I've been meaning to visit, but you know how it is." I
nodded, and voiced my agreement. "I've found someone though, Alex. He's
in my history class. He's REALLY cute, you'd like him."

"I bet I would. I'm just glad you're happy. Don't EVER let the good ones
go, Mike. Take it from me... losing someone you care about, is the worst
thing that could EVER happen to you." I said, sighing slightly.

"You're talking about Jean again... what did I tell you, Alex? Jean is a
LONG time ago. Don't beat yourself up over him, man... what happened,
happened." Mike said, sounding concerned.

I sighed. Mike was right. Jean WAS a long time ago in my past. Lifetimes
ago, by this point. But I still could feel his touch. His kisses. Every
tiny thing about him, was indelibly imprinted upon me. My soulmate. And I
lost him, and it STILL hurt, after all this time. I winced, remembering
the light as it left his eyes. I shook myself, to clear my thoughts and
return to the phone conversation.

"Anyway. Forget Jean, man. Focus on right NOW. Isn't there someone who's
supposed to look at the house, today?" Mike asked.

I chuckled. "Yeah, I got the confirmation call to 'make myself scarce',
two hours ago. Guess the realtor's picking them up from the airport, and
bringing 'em right here."

Mike laughed. "Hid everything in the toolshed, did you?"

I groaned, in mock-horror. "You know me ONLY too well. Yeah, the laptop
and all that is hidden in the toolshed, or the basement. What sucks is, I
had to hide my Backstreet Boys cds. And I *just* got a new cd player,
damnit...!"

"And the other stuff? The harpsichord, all that?" Mike asked.

"Storage, I put it there after I decided it was time to have the law firm
put the house up for sale again. I was sick for 2 days after that stuff
got moved out."

"I know, you always did have a bad reaction to moving your stuff around.
You okay, though?" Mike asked, concerned again.

"Oh, yeah. This was months ago, remember. Takes a LOT to knock me down
for the count, you KNOW that." I said, and we both chuckled at that.

"Yeah, that's true. Hey, is that a car I hear pulling up?" Mike asked. I
glanced out the window.

"Yeah, the realtor's here. Blonde lady, this time. Guess it's time to
scoot. Talk to you later, Mike. Good hearing from you." I said.

"Same here. By, Alex." "Bye." I said.

If Nick, Brian, or Janice had glanced into the living room when they
entered the front foyer... they would have seen a telephone handset
floating above the telephone, and then hang up. With nobody in the
livingroom to be seen.

Well, that's the first chapter. Sorry if it's short, but this just seemed
like a damn good place to stop, right here. Besides, I'm TIRED, at three
am. You can email me if you want, ccrowsfan1@home.com. Yes, this is a
supernatural story. I've always loved ghost stories, and I read the 98
Degrees story "ghost" in the Boybands section of the Nifty Archive. When
talking to the author, I commented that his ghost reminded me a little of
myself.

So I became inspired to write my OWN ghost story here, and to use Nick
Carter from the Backstreet Boys in it. By the time this gets posted, I'll
probably be about 2 or 3 chapters ahead, writing-wise. There are some
similarities, like the ghostly limitations. Alex can manifest himself in
the house or on the front or back lawns... AND affect the surroundings of
his property. But he can't go outside his own property. He's kinda
limited to his environment, like the Doctor on Voyager. Unlike the ghost
in the story which inspired me, however... THIS haunting homosexual, is
VERY smart. At least, in figuring out ways to still interact with the
outside world, from the confines of his house. And yes, even to obtain
friends who have kept his secret safe. On a final note, YES, the house
I'm writing about exists. In real life, I'm looking to buy the house
myself, and I can only HOPE it's haunted, like in this story. Until next
time! D.L.C.



"Coming Home Again", Chapter Two

By David Carmona.

This story is complete and utter fiction. I make no claims on the
sexuality of the Backstreet Boys, and in particular Nick Carter. As much
as I'd WISH it to be so. All characters used herein and sexual
preferences of the Backstreet Boys, are made up out of whole cloth right
out of my head, or inspired by fictional characters I know of.

If consenting sexual acts by men are either illegal, or considered
immoral where you come from... you know where the back button is on your
browser. I suggest you CLICK on it, thank you. If not... please enjoy!

"Well, that's the tour of the house, you guys. Now, one of the rules that
the firm has for selling the house, prospective buyers have to spend the
night in the house before coming to a final decision. Here. I've got to
get back to the office, and when you've made a decision, just lock up in
the morning, head up this street, turn right, walk up past the town
resovoir, and the office is right next to the town hall." Janice said,
scowling at her pager which had the bad sense to go off right at the
conclusion of the tour of the house.

I chuckled, and was glad I paged her back to the office from the upstairs
extension. I wanted to get to know these two guys who were touring my
house. I have to admit, that part of me was EXTREMELY flattered that two
guys from my favorite band, were here touring my house! I even went above
and beyond the call, straightening up beds and making the place give off
an extra welcoming feel, the minute I recognized Nick Carter and Brian
Littrell.

I shivered, and prayed that I was right... that Nick Carter was looking
to buy MY house. I snapped out of my personal thoughts, and focused
myself on the front foyer, where the three of them stood.

"Well, okay. The walk should be good. What do you think, Nick? I mean...
YOU'RE the one that's buying this place..." Brian said. I quickly found a
seat on the steps, at that. Down, boy.

"Sounds good. Thanks for showing us the house, Ms. Covington. I'll let
you know my decision when I return the key to your office." Nick said,
shaking the realtor's hand warmly.

"One question." Brian said, his hands in his pockets. "Yes?" Janice
asked.

"Well, what are WE supposed to do, for transportation?" Brian frowned,
gesturing towards the front door. "We didn't exactly go to a car rental,
you know."

Janice blinked, and adjusted her glasses. "Did I forget to tell you? You
just rode in it. Keys are on the keyrack by the kitchen door. Car's part
of the package, guys. Get the house... get ownership of the car, as part
of the house property. Drive in good health. Now if you'll excuse me, I
have to meet a client back at the agency to close on another house. I'll
see you tomorrow, and nice meeting both of you."

I watched as Janice left. I was impressed by her professionalism, in
pitching the house. I'd seen realtors come and go, but she was the best
by far. Not only did she know what to say to Nick and Brian... but she
seemed to compose herself around them, a lot better than I was feeling,
and I hadn't even been properly introduced to them!

I smiled to myself, watching them head to the kitchen table to talk about
the situation. I sat on the steps, and suddenly got an inspired idea. I
reached out with my thoughts, and dug out my sketching equipment from the
upstairs closet in the room that's always been my bedroom. I got up and
floated into the kitchen, and began sketching with an imaginary pen on
imaginary paper, capturing every line and emotion on their faces as they
discussed the pros and cons of the house. Upstairs, my motions were
copied down exactly, on real paper on my desk upstairs. I sometimes
impressed myself with my life as... a ghost. As I penciled and colored in
the last touches of the moment that inspired me, I half-tuned into the
conversation, and idly began a penciled sketch of Nick.

"Well, Nicky... I've gotta admit. Pretty weird setup, this place has,
ain't it?" Brian said. I got up, and began making coffee for the two of
them. I kept myself quiet, and using my powers of altering perceptions, I
kept them both from seeing or hearing anything, as they continued
talking. It was only when the coffee machine announced it was ready to
pour, that I let them become aware of the coffee.

"What the...?" Nick said. "How in the... I was just THINKING I could use
a cup of coffee..!"

Brian blinked. "I dunno... maybe the thing's set on an automatic timer or
something. Wouldn't surprise me, with everything ELSE around here so
far."

Nick nodded slowly. "Weird setup... just like you said. I dunno, Bri."

Brian nodded. "I've gotta admit it, though. There's just... something so
WELCOMING about this place. When you get past the weirdness... it almost
feels like the HOUSE wants us. I think you ought to take it. You should
sleep on it, first... but I think I know what you'll tell Janice
tomorrow."

"Then you know more than I do, Bri. It's just... a lot to take in, I
guess." I smiled at Nick's expression. He seemed so sweet... yet so
vulnerable, too. Like he was trying to find his own place in the world.
I'd seen that look thousands of times, in the last century and a half. It
was the look of someone that I knew I would die again if I could, to
protect. But I knew, the decision was up to him, if he took the house. I
wasn't going to force him.

I also decided then and there... that the time wasn't right, to reveal
myself. I recalled my drawings, looked over the one I'd finished, and the
one I was almost done with. I paused, then remembered something that I
realized would look really good, in the picture of Nick.

All too soon, I realized that I was actually finished. I looked around,
and it hit me that the guys had finally finished their deep discussion. I
probed the house, and sensed they were headed for my bedroom. I quickly
phased upstairs, covered over the drawings, and was very surprised to
overhear Nick say, that my bedroom looked good enough for him to stay in
tonight.

I copied the color sketch of him and Brian to keep for myself, and then
snuck the original drawing, as well as the black and white sketch of him
into Nick's belongings, which he so handily left dumped on the bed after
he and Brian chose their rooms, and went downstairs to order pizza and
watch TRL. The sounds of them razzing Carson Daly made me laugh, albeit
quietly and to myself. "Guess they think o' him, as big o' an annoyance,
as I do...!" I remarked to nobody in particular.

I pulled the air molecules around my essence together, and in under 10
seconds, I had fully re-materialized into a physical form. I stood in
front of the mirror, and changed from my day clothes, into my usual
nighttime clothes. Which on this night, happened to be a set of boxers, a
tee shirt, a warm winter robe, and a pair of leather slippers. Once
deciding on what to wear, I then let myself slip partly back, so that I
would only be visible to myself. I tiptoed downstairs, and found a spot
on the couch, and joined the guys.

Brian got up to go to the bathroom some three hours later, and Nick and I
wound up sitting on the couch together. Of course, Nick had no idea, he
was sharing a couch with probably his only living-impaired fan. I
adjusted myself, thankful that I wasn't visible to Nick.

Nick by this point, had actually fallen asleep. I took pity on him, and
turned off the tv. Getting up, I scooped Nick into my arms, and headed
upstairs, to bring him to my... to our room. That was unfortunately, when
Brian chose to come back towards the foyer. And to wind up standing in
the doorway to our livingroom, just in time to see his best friend
levitate off the couch.

He screamed.

I yelled.

Nick fell.

Oh boy....

Well, that's Chapters One and Two for you. I just finished editing them,
and I'm gonna go quiet again while writing the next chapters, and working
on a couple other stories. It really depends on the mood I'm in, where it
comes to what I'll post next. Add to that, my home pc died rather
painfully so... until I get a new one, I'm gonna be posting when I can.
Regardless, I just wanted to get this done so that I can spend the
weekend with my family. Oh, and before I forget: in this installment,
and in future installments, you'll find clues and foreshadowed hints
along the way, to a big mystery that I want you to try and solve, dear
Reader: The mystery, of where I intend to GO with this series. Good luck
cracking the case!

On a final note, I have to admit writing this story about Alex, is a lot
more fun than I thought it might be. Alex is a character, in the truest
sense of the word. He's sweet, he's kind... and FUNNY AS HELL, to boot.
It's a real joy to be writing a character who's able to make me laugh at
the drop of a hat. Alex, is my literary Lestat. So y'all treat him nicely
in the critiques, eh? I hope to write more of the irrepressible scottish
spook Alex, very soon. Keep your fingers crossed, and happy reading!

-DLC.

My website: http://go.to/davids-domain


"Coming Home Again" delay and update

Dear readers:

I've been so busy trying to put together my own website, that my writing has
suffered the fate of being put on the back burner, since you last saw me.

At the time when I first posted, my computer was having some serious
problems.  In fact, I thought it was DEAD.  But luckily, Compaq was one step
ahead of me, and had a backup drive to restore my Windows defaults when
Windows got corrupted.  So I'm back, baby!

As to the website, YES, I've gotten it up and running.  And have archived
the first two chapters of this story, but it needs a little final tweaking,
to look the way I want it to.  But it should be fine, by dinnertime tonight.
Anyway, please check out my site, and I hope you like all the other stuff
I've put together on it.

-DLC.

"As long as we have our fans, we can conquer anything" - Nick Carter.

My website: http://go.to/davids-domain