Date: Thu, 31 May 2001 21:20:41 -0700 (PDT)
From: John D <zachstack@yahoo.com>
Subject: BSB Hearts Assunder Book 2:  Harmony Pt 7

Previously....

"NEW BACKSTREET BOY: To revive the old and welcome the
new fans."

In a haze, John picked up the newspaper and read the
short first paragraph.

'As of last night, an unnamed reliable source -- a
close association with the Backstreet Boys -- came to
this journalist to inform me that there are now plans
to replace Nick Carter -- who left the group due to
some undisclosed reasons a month ago -- with his
rising star younger brother, Aaron Carter.'

"Who...?"  John looked up, but he knew the answer to
his question even before he asked it.  "Who...?"

"We should ask you that, John."  Mike sat behind the
small table behind the burly bodyguard.  "What happed
last night with you and Jane?  Burc said he walked in
on you two in a discussion.
*********************************************

"I want you to keep a close eye on John."  Mike
realized that the other was a close friend and so
intercepted Burc's attempt to speak up for his friend.
 "I know you think that John wouldn't do anything like
this, but you saw how he came in this morning.  Messy,
unshaved, reeking of alcohol; he might not have done
this on purpose, but maybe, just maybe now, he might
have let something slip in his drunken stupor.  So,
keep an eye on him.  I don't want him getting into
anymore trouble."

"And Jane?"

"I will watch her myself.  I swear we will get to the
bottom of this before the week is over."  Mike said
the last convincingly -- or he thought so at least.
*******************************************************
Back in Florida in Nick's new community college.

Nick slowly made his way through the halls.  His mind
was still reeling with the pains of his heart when he
failed to notice another student coming 'round the
bend.  The clashed and books and papers went flying
everywhere.

"Man, we have to stop meeting like this!"  The other
boy laughed staring up at Nick.

End of part 6

-------------------------------------------------------
**Disclaimers:  This is strictly a work of fiction and
so any similarities between real peoples and/or events
are merely coincidental.  The story does not
necessarily reflect the lives of all involved --
despite the many wishful thinkings of some folks.  So
please enjoy the story and email me what you think.**
-------------------------------------------------------

BSB HAB2:  Harmony Part 7
"Damage Control"

Press Conference in Conference Room 7

"No, there are no immediate plans to replace the
'temporarily' vacated spot left by Nick Carter."  Mike
calmly spoke over the consistent hubbub of news media
reporters and their undying amount of questions and
comments.  Mike fought on against the gradient of
questions flanked by the four members of the
Backstreet Boys, their PR agent, and finally Jane
Carter.  John and Burc stood vigil at opposite ends of
the long table.  "Yes, you in the green."

"This is for Jane Carter -- mother to both Nick and
Aaron Carter."  The slim dark haired woman fumbled
with her note pad and pen.  "Being the always present
force in your sons' careers, what and how do you feel
about the possibility of one son replacing the other
in the Backstreet Boy limelight?"

"Again, may I remind you all that what you saw in the
paper this morning is nothing more than a false rumour
and should only be taken as such.  There has neve..."
Mike cut in, but was himself cut off by Jane Carter's
cool and calculated voice.

"Yes, what you saw in the paper this morning is only a
rumour.  There has yet been any serious discussions
about Aaron taking Nick's place.  However, speaking as
their mother, I would only be delighted to see Aaron
step up to his brother's place -- although
temporarily..."  Jane smiled cooly at Mike, seeing
that the other was once again on the edge of his seat
just about ready to explode after that last statement.
 "Temporarily, it might be, but I do believe that it
would do wonders for the careers of all the parties
involved."

"So you are saying that there hasn't been any serious
considerations?"

"Yes."  Mike and Kevin answered simultaneously and
emphatically.

"However, from what we have of Jane's comments, would
it be same to assume that there have been some
discussion on the matter?"  A reporter -- someone Mike
has never seen before -- spoke above the voices of the
others.

This time it was the PR Rep from Jive that spoke up.
"I am sorry but that is all the time we have.  You are
all welcome to enjoy some of the refreshments provided
by the hotel.  The Backstreet Boys are now scheduled
to be at a photoshoot."  The Rep got up first and
waved off all the other questions from the press while
the others followed suit.

"Mike, we would like to speak to you after the
photoshoots."  The Rep whispered as he walked passed
Mike.

A drowned out "yes sir," was all Mike could utter as
he watched The Rep's broad back walk down the steps up
to the raised platform.
*******************************************************

An hour later at a teen magazine's studio...

"Mike's not very happy about what happened today."
Burc peered lacsidasically at the boys a few yards
away posing for the furious flashes of the
photographer's camera.

"I know."  John answered, tension tightening in knots
in his shoulders.

"John, man, what really happened last night?  If you
got drunk, it's alright dude, you can tell me."  Burc
shifted in his seat to adjust his focus on his friend.

"I didn't get drunk."  John replied defensively.

"Man, you came in eyes red from the lack of sleep --
or from worse reasons -- reeking of alcohol.  Now if
that's not drunkeness, then I don't know what is."
Burc stood up and stretched a little.

"Man, I got in a fight alright?"  John finally blurted
out.  "After I left last night, I went to a bar nearby
and got into a fight."

Burc looked at him to see how serious John was and
busted out laughing.  "You're kidding me?!"

"Burc, you know full well that I don't drink.  Nor do
I smoke."

"So that would explain the scruffy look.  But what
about the alcohol stench?"

"I got beer dumped all over me after I cold cocked one
of the guys that were causing trouble."

"If that was the case, then why the hell didn't you
tell us earlier?"  Burc tried his darndest to contain
his laughter.  This was too much.

"I-I thought that it would get me into more trouble."
John looked genuinely sincere enough that Burc bought
his act laughing.

"Alright, alright."  Burc slapped John on the back.
"Sorry for laughing at ya dude, but you have to admit
that it is kinda funny."

"Yeah, I guess it is."  John gave a small chortled
fake laugh to satisfy his friend.

"Well, wait til Mike hear's this, won't he be
relieved."  Burc winked at John and dashed off
staggering from his laughter all the way to Mike's
makeshift office.

"Yeah that makes one of us..."  John muttered under
his breath.  The fact is, he did get into a fight as
he had told Burc, what he didn't tell the latter was
how he got blindsided with a beer bottle and knocked
unconcious for God know's how long.  John punched the
cement wall behind him angry at himself for letting
Jane get to him so much: not to mention not knowing if
he really did give it away last night.

[Flashback]  A crowded live bar just a few blocks away
from where the Backstreet Boys are staying...

"You take the hotel room tonight man.  I need to get
some fresh air."  John had scampered out of the hotel
like a scalded dog earlier.  He couldn't believe how
he let Jane get to him like that.  He just couldn't
sit there and allow her to make such hurtful
accusations to her own son like that.  He was alright
with him being accused, he's taken worse before and
plus he never really took much of what came out of her
mouth for anything past face value anyways.  Nick on
the other hand, had become so much like a little
brother these past four years.  Nick had treated him
like a friend.  Unlike John's former employees where
intimidation was the main factor, he actually felt a
bit of solace with Nick.

'I guess this is why so many other bodyguards drink.'
John thought as he settled on the only empty stool
infront of the wet bar.  "I'll take a little scotch."
John's weary voice reached feebly at the burly bar
tender.  John looked around at the crowded club, the
crowd a mixed variety of ravers, suits, and punk kids.
 He never understood the call of loud blaring music
and the god-awful reek of alcohol and smoke.  John was
neither a drinker nor a smoker.

"Sure thing, man."  The bar tender turned around and
got him a glass.  "So what's troublin' ya tonight,
mate?"  The other continued to clean glasses.
Everyone on this side of the bar seemed to have been
content with what they had.

Just then, two men entered the bar wearing brown
trenchcoats and floppy hats.

"You sure your sources said this bar?"  One man clung
to his friend.

"Yes, now loosen up for pete's sake.  Our insider will
be here.  Let's go get a few drinks."  The other man
replied, trying to pry his partner's hand loose from
his coat.
*******************************************************

Back at the bar....

"Work."  John answered, gulping down the scotch like
his usual lemonade.

"Ah, I hear, mate."  The bar tender moved off to
service two new awkward looking customers when he
noticed that John wasn't really up for a chat.

"So you hear 'bout that teeny bopper group that's in
town?"  A scruffy kid -- around twentyisth, from what
John could see -- yelled over to his friends acrossed
a crowded booth.

"Yeah, what about 'em?"  A more suave looking guy with
a girl under one arm replied, although barely over the
loud noise.

"I heard that the other one of 'em left 'cause he was
a fag man."  The scruffy kid took a swig of his drink
and continued to the amusement of his small party.

"Really?  I never saw that one coming."  A third young
man sarcastically added to the delight of his date --
or something -- John could barely make out any of her
features from under all the pounds of make-up and hair
on her.

"Yeah, I heard the one that left was a fag and was
screwing every guy in the fuckin' place, man."  The
scruffy kid continued as though he never heard his
other friend's sarcastic comments.

The conversation went on like that with the scruffy
kid making more sexual attacks at the Backstreet Boys,
mainly Nick Carter.  John shrugged them off, first off
he was tired and second they were just a bunch of
drunk punks anyways.

John took another glass of scotch, and before he knew
it, the alcohol was starting to take effect.  The
scruffy kid was still going on and on about Nick and
his sexual orientation, but this time it was starting
to get to him.  He knew that it shouldn't, but he was
continually getting heated.

"Hey, don't I know you from somewhere?"  One of the
two strangers in the coats finally spoke up after
eying John up for the last 30 minutes.

"Sorry, man.  I don't do that kind of thing."  John
replied cooly.

"No, I mean aren't you one of the body..."  The other
man was interupted when the loud scruffy guy bumped
into John.

The scruffy guy staggered up from the booth and
drunkenly made his way to the bar carrying three large
glasses slossing this way and that.  "Whoa!  Watch it
there man!"  The scruffy kid bumped into John spilling
the half drained contents of the glasses all over
John.

"What the..."  John shoved back away from the bar
looking down at his soaked shirt and his dripping long
hair.

"Hey, who do you think you are bumping 'round here
spilling people's drinks you fucker!"  The kid's
hiccupy breath reeked of alcohol as he shoved John
back into the bar.

John cracked his neck and looked over to the scruffy
kid's friends.  "You better get him away from me, or
someone's going to get hurt!"

"C'mon, man let's go."  The suave kid tried to pry his
friend away from John.

"No man, this **hiccup** this fag's got this one
comin'!"  The scruffy kid made a druken swing at John.
 His attempted punch was too diluted with his alcohol
that he only connected with barely an open hand slap.

But that was enough for John.  In a blur of speed and
solid fist, John sent the drunk scruffy kid sprawling
back onto their booth.

"Git the fuck out!"  The Bouncer and the bartender
shouldered their way to them.  The scruffy kid tried
to get up, but collapsed in an unconcious heap.  "All
of you, git out!"  The bouncer grabbed the scruffy kid
and shoved him to some of his friends.  Suavy was
still by John.

"You too, man.  Pay your bill and get out."  The
bartender motioned to John.

"Yeah, whatever man..." John turned around to grab his
coat, when Suavy grabbed a half full bottle of beer
and send it crashing into the back of John's skull.
John was sent stumbling to the bar.  The dull ache of
his head was now a migraine, and he was quickly losing
the battle against unconciousness.

"C'mere, you little bastard!"  The bartender hoisted
up Suavy, ripping his shirt.

John sensed movement around and behind him, but the
sounds of the ongoing stuggle and trouble escaped him.
 He couldn't hear passed the ringing in his ears.  His
head began to throb wildly; shortly after his eyes
began to feel as though they were weighed down by
someone.  John tried to straighten up, shook his
head...and...and...collapsed.  The last thing he could
remember was falling down face first into the bar and
his mouthing some words that he couldn't remember to
one of the trench coated guys that had loomed over
him.
***********************************
The next morning...

The stench of old food enveloped him.  The reek of old
wet and soggy rags permeated his senses.  The putrid
aroma was so strong, John could taste the sharp acrid
taste in the back of his throat.

"Ugh..."  John shook the throbbing of his head and
looked at his watch.  "Oh shit..."  The haziness of
his eyes finally cleared, and John realised the reason
for the stench.  He lean up on on elbow and rubbed his
temple with the other:  John was in a trash pile in
the alley behind the club.  He vaguely remembers what
had happened, but what was important now -- he
remembered thinking -- was to get back to the hotel
and change out of his dirty clothes.

[end of flashback]

*******************************************************
At the community college in Florida...

"Damn man we gotta stop meeting like this!"  The other
guy leaned back on his hands, looking up at Nick
Carter laughter echoing in his sparkling chocolate
brown eyes.

"Excuse me?"  Nick -- now just Gene Carter -- gulped,
gather his things from the floor.

"The cemetary the other night.  You ran right over me
man."  The other moved to a squat possition to pick up
his own books and papers.

"Oh..."  Nick was taken aback, surprised at the
coincidence.  "I-I'm sorry 'bout that dude.  I didn't
see you and I was in a rush..."

"Don't worry 'bout it."  The other young man
interupted him.  "Help me up, won't ya?"  The other
man extended his hand out to Nick and smiled.  "My
name's Bryan, by the way."

That last took Nick like a slap in the face.  He knew
that he shouldn't have let that get to him -- come on,
this guy is a stranger.  But nevertheless, the name
still haunts him even now.

"Is there something wrong, man?"  Bryan asked as he
took Nick's hand.  Nick was about to pull him up when
his arm jolted and faltered when Bryan introduced
himself.  Bryan was barely able to catch himself
before he was once again on his rear end on the floor.

"Oh, I'm sorry 'bout that."  Nick jolted back to
reality, his voice was almost squeezed out of him.

"Well, I'll catch ya later man.  I gotta jet!"  Bryan
bolted after he noticed the time.

"Yeah, you too."  Nick watched the other disappear
behind a corner before going back to picking up his
things.
*******************************************************
Hours later in a hotel room...

'Oh God, what have I done now?  This can't be
happening.  I must do something to draw him back to
us.  I can't go on like this!'  Brian rung his hands
in anxiety.  He was just returned from the photo
sessions.  The others were changing for another public
appearance.  He was already finished.  All he could
care about now was this morning's headlines.  He still
couldn't get it out of his mind.  He must do something
to get Nick back, before it's too late!  Desperation
radiated from Brian like an acrid stench.

"Brian, hon, I think they want you downstairs soon."
Leighanne walked into the room.  She had tagged along
with the Backstreet Boys in the last few weeks due to
Brian's emotional state.  "Hon, are you okay?"

"Leighanne,"  Brian's eyes sparkled with joy -- like a
tired scientist finally breaking the riddle of a
formula he has been working on.  "Leighanne, let's get
married next week?"  Brian gripped Leighanne's hands
in his gently,  He gazed deeply into Leighanne's eyes
and reaction, his own searching for an answer.

"Brian...I...I.."  Leighanne was overcomed with a rush
of emotion.  "Yes, I will."  They kissed.

After a long, deep, and passionate merging of their
beings, Brian hugged Leighanne to him dearly.

End of Part 7