Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2001 06:56:50
From: Jeff Langdon <jeff_langdon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Westlife Romance - Chapter 20

This story is pure fiction and involves the members of Westlife.  I am in
no way implying anything about the sexuality of any of their members.  This
is purely a fictional story.  Enjoy!

I would really, really appreciate some feedback on the story...so please
send any comments and/or suggestions to jeff_langdon@hotmail.com.  I would
love to hear from you!!

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Westlife Romance - Part 20

Nicky managed to dry his tears and regain his composure before the car
arrived at the hotel.  Once there, the lads filed out and headed to the
elevator.

"So where are we going for dinner tonight?" Bryan asked.

"I told you ten times already," Shane replied, pretending to be
exasperated, "we're going to the Japanese restaurant."

"I was just making sure," Bryan answered with a goofy grin.

The ride to their private floor was quick, and Nicky was even quicker to
retreat into his room.  Since that fateful night, arrangements were made to
give Bryan and Nicky the room with two beds while Kian was moved into a
single room.  As Nicky disappeared into the room, the other lads exchanged
worried glances.

"Let me go see if he's alright," Mark offered.  The others agreed.  Bryan
was afraid that if he got too close with Nicky, he might give Nicky the
wrong idea.  Shane still couldn't deal with his guilt and felt awkward
around Nicky and Kian, well, Nicky has yet say much to him since that
night.

Mark knocked gently on the door and Nicky answered after a few seconds.
"Hey Mark," Nicky smiled, "what's up?"

"Can I come in for a bit?"

"Of course you can, Mark!" Nicky opened the door wider to let his friend
in.  "You looking for Bryan?  He's not back yet," Nicky said as he cleaned
up a few things that were lying around the room.

"No, actually, I came to see you," Mark replied.

"Okay..." Nicky answered, somewhat surprised.  "What about?"

"I just wanted to see how you were holding up," Mark started, treading
carefully with the words that he chose.  "You've been awfully quiet today."

"I'm fine, Mark.  I'm just a bit worn out, that's all."

"You know that we're here for you if you need us, right?"

"Yeah, and I appreciate that, Mark."

"No problem, Nix," Mark replied.  "So you ready to go out for dinner?"

"You know what?  I think I'm just going to stay in tonight.  I really don't
feel like going out."

"You sure?"

"Yeah..." Nicky answered.  "Quit worrying about me! I'm older than you,
remember?" Nicky joked.  "I'm supposed to be worrying about you children."

"Oh, so we're children now, huh?" Mark grinned.

"That's right.  And now you kids should all go out and play and have fun."

"Okay, okay!!  I know when I'm not wanted around here," Mark mock pouted.
Then getting serious again, "My mobile phone is on if you need us."

As the door closed behind him, Mark sighed.  Nicky's façade didn't fool
him, but at the same time, there wasn't much that he could do.  As he
walked into the lounge, he found three anxious pairs of eyes focusing on
him.

"Well?" Shane finally asked.  "Is he alright?"

"He says he is," Mark replied.

"He isn't talking, is he?" Bryan answered.

"Nicky's putting up walls all around him," Mark continued.  "I can't get
through. And he says he's not coming for dinner either."  As he said this,
he could see Kian slump dejectedly in his chair.

A few hours later, the hotel floor was nearly deserted as the lads went out
for dinner.  Nicky went into the lounge to get himself a glass of hot
water.  As he walked in, he came face to face with Derek.  Both boys looked
at each other awkwardly, not really knowing what to say.

"Hi Derek," Nicky finally said.  "How's it going?"

"I'm doing okay, Nicky.  Thanks," Derek answered softly.

As Nicky poured himself a glass of water, Derek stood there, not knowing
what to do.  "Uh, Nicky..."

"Yeah?"

"I know that you probably hate me so much right now," Derek continued, his
eyes on the floor.  "But...but I wanted to say thank you for allowing me to
keep my job."

"It was a management decision," Nicky replied.  "You should thank them."

"Yeah, but I know that you must have put in a good word for me or else I
would be back in Dublin already."

"Well, don't mention it," Nicky answered.  "Just keep doing the good job
that you've been doing, and you'll do fine."  Nicky began to walk out of
the lounge but turned around to face Derek.  "And Derek?"

"Yeah?"

"Take good care of Kian.  He needs you right now."

"I'll take care of him..."

As Nicky went back to his room, Derek remained in the lounge drinking his
coffee.  A sly mile formed on his face.  "Silly boy," he thought to
himself.  "That was easier than I thought."

Nicky went back to his room, put on some soft music and began reading some
books that he had bought a few days back.  He realized that it had been a
long time since he had time alone to read.  About half-an-hour into the
reading, Nicky heard a soft knocking at his door.  Getting up from the
chair, he walked to open the door.  "Bryan, Bryan, you keep forgetting your
keys," he thought to himself.

He opened the door, about to make a remark when he realized that it wasn't
Bryan.

"Kian..."

"Can I come in, Nicky?  We need to talk..."

...to be continued....

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Hope you enjoyed this segment.  Let me know what you think!!

I'd love to hear any comments/ideas/questions.  Please e-mail me at
jeff_langdon@hotmail.com.