Date: Tue, 15 Aug 2000 18:44:52 EDT
From: Carter . <nicksxtacy@hotmail.com>
Subject: Open Arms 10

Open Arms 10
by Carter (nicksxtacy@hotmail.com)
m/m CELEBRITY/Boy-Bands


Disclaimer: This story is a work of Fiction. It is not meant to reflect the
true sexuality of anyone mentioned within, especially not NICK CARTER ,
Chris Klein, Brian Littrell or any member of the Backstreet Boys or any
other individual mentioned within and is strictly taken from the author's
over-active imagination.  If you are too young or it is illegal for you to
continue, DON'T. The author takes NO responsibility whatsoever for any harm
that is caused to anyone by reading this etc. so if you're not supposed to
be here, GO AWAY, please.


Author's Note:
	Here's chapter 10. I appreciate the feedback that I've been getting and I
assure you, what you've been waiting for is coming. Remember, good things
come to those who wait.... I'm working on a special surprise just to say
thank you to all those who have put up with me and kept reading....it should
coincide with the chapter that you've all been waiting for, although I'm not
sure when that will be. I'm working really hard, and I'll let you all know
when it happens....

Dedicated to my one true ANGEL for the ultimate inspiration, you make my
life worth living. "You're the reason I believe in love, and you're the
answer to my prayers from up above."

Now on to the story.

OPEN ARMS- CHAPTER 10
by Carter ( nicksxtacy@hotmail.com )


	"All my bags are packed
	 I'm ready to go
	I'm standing here outside your door..."

	Nick stood outside of Brian's room door, hesitating before he knocked. For
the past few weeks, Brian had been living in Nick's house and had made the
room next to Nick's his new home. Both boys were overjoyed at the new living
situation. Brian had been able to make up for all the time that had been
lost between the two best friends because of Leighann and then Nick's
depression. He had been able to get Nick to open up about his sexuality and
talk through everything that needed to be said. As much as the weeks had
been filled with tears as Nick struggled to come to terms with all the
feelings that he had kept hidden for so long, they had also been some of the
best times of their lives. Frick and Frack were now closer than ever. There
was nothing that wasn't shared between them. With the exception of one
thing. Nick had yet to gain the confidence he needed to tell Brian the final
part of his secret and because of that there was an uneasiness that
continued to eat away at Nick's very being. He hated, now more than ever to
be hiding something from Brian. He had been wrong about Brian hating him and
leaving him for being gay, but he couldn't convince himself that the same
would be true if Brian knew just who Nick wanted to spend the rest of his
life with.

	Brian on the other hand, was more than overjoyed at the closeness that had
been reestablished between the two. He found himself thinking on more than
one occasion that if he could have possibly known that leaving Leighann
would have had such a positive effect on his life he would have done it
years earlier. There had always been a fear that by leaving Leighann, he
would have been alone. Now that his marriage was canceled, Brian felt at
peace. He was closer than ever to Nick. Nick and him were living together
and having the time of their lives, and they were also making beautiful
music together. Over the course of the three weeks that Brian had been
living in Nick's house, him and Nick had written and recorded an astounding
30 songs together. The power in the songs reflected the raw emotions that
Nick and Brian had held inside for so long, unable to release them.  Being
able to talk about their feelings, and express their  of love through music,
a new sense of peace emanated from each of them.  Of course, there were a
couple questions  still nagging at Brian but he refused to let them dampen
his spirits. He had learned to put on a happy face during the years with
Leighann, and now he used the same skills to hide his mild confusion. He
told himself that with time the answers would come and that once the answers
were found, the final pieces would fall into place to show him the direction
his life was going to take. For now he concentrated on making himself and
Nick as happy as he could and making the best music he knew how to.

	The overwhelming success of Nick and Brian's recording sessions had
prompted Kevin to suggest that Frick and Frack take a break from recording.
Working together hadn't felt like work to the two friends, but they agreed
that maybe they needed a change of scenery for a little while. Nick had been
excited when Chris had suggested that they fly out to New York to visit for
a while. When Nick pitched the idea to Brian, the older boy had been less
ecstatic about heading to the Big Apple. He told  Nick that he wanted to
relax, and that since Kevin had offered to lend him the ranch in Kentucky
that he would probably head home to Kentucky for a while.

	Nick had been heartbroken when Brian told him that he wouldn't be joining
him in New York. When he accepted Chris' offer, Nick had just assumed that
Brian would go along, and as much as he tried to not feel crushed he did. He
had grown incredibly dependent on Brian and was hesitant to spend time
apart, afraid that the bond they had created would be once again lost. Brian
assured him that it was only for a week and that he needed to visit his
family since he hadn't talked to them since calling off his wedding to
Leighann.

	"All my bags are packed,
	I'm ready to go
	I'm standing here outside your door
	I hate to wake you up to say goodbye..."

	Nick stood outside of Brian's door and smiled to himself as the familiar
song came to his head. He was dreading having to say goodbye but if he
didn't do it now he would be late getting to the airport.

	"But the dawn is breakin',
	It's early morn
	The taxi's waitin',
	He's blowin' his horn
	Already I'm so lonesome
	I could cry."

	Nick knocked quietly on the door at first and then got louder when he
didn't get an answer. Finally he heard Brian moan as he opened his eyes and
looked at his clock, wondering why Nick would wake him up this early.

	"Come in Nicky." Brian called sleepily.

	Nick shuddered at the voice. He couldn't get over how adorable Brian
sounded when he first woke up. Nick thought once more about how much he
would miss Brian when they were apart. After being together for 24 hours a
day for the past three weeks, a week apart as unthinkable to Nick. He
couldn't imagine not having Brian be the first and last person he saw
everyday.  Nick opened the door and stepped into the room. The sight of
Brian in his boxers laying on his back caused Nick to sigh and adjust his
carry on bag so that he was now holding it in front  of himself, so that
Brian wouldn't see the reaction that he caused.

	Brian saw the sadness in Nick's look. He knew it would be hard to go
without seeing Nick for a while, but realized that for Nick it would be even
harder to be apart. Nick had been very reliant on Brian and Bri knew that
Nick was already thinking of being alone. He jumped out of bed and ran over
to his friend, wrapping him in his arms. Surprised at Brian's tight hug,
Nick let go of his bag, letting it fall to the ground so that he could
return Brian's hug. As each boy savored the feel of each other, they
couldn't help but feel safe in each other's arms. Brian was also startled as
he felt something brush against his lower torso. `Is that what I think it
is?' thought Brian as Nick's arousal brushed against his own manhood. Brian
felt a stirring in his own groin and pulled away slightly from Nick. He
looked into his best friend's blue eyes and lost himself for a moment.


	"So kiss me and smile for me
	Tell me that you'll wait for me
	Hold me like you'll never let me go.
	I'm leavin' on a jet plane
	I Don't know when I'll be back again
	Oh, babe, I hate to go."

	Nick continued the song in his head, thinking just how true all the words
were. He wished that he could have Brian kiss him goodbye. As if on cue,
Nick saw Brian inch closer. Nick's heart began to race as a million
questions came to his mind. `Oh my God, is he gonna kiss me???', Nick was in
turmoil as each second seemed to take an hour.  As he watched Brian approach
in slow motion, Nick felt Brian's hands reach to his shoulders and push him
down a little, causing Nick to have to bend his knees. Nick felt Brian's
lips touch his forehead as Brian placed a sweet kiss on his best friend's
head. Nick felt his heart flutter at the same time as a wave of
disappointment washed over him. He felt so loved, yet so needy at the same
time. He wished for so much more than what he had with Brian, yet he was so
thankful at the same time for the miracle of having Brian in his life.

	"I know you gotta go Nicky, but I just wanna tell you I'm going to miss you
even more than you'll miss me, so you'd better call me every chance you get,
ok?" Brian requested while looking deep into Nick's eyes.

	Nick didn't want to give in to the tears, but had no choice. Brian pulled
his friend in closer, sensing Nick's sadness.

	"Nicky, don't cry. Shhh... It's not for that long, okay? it's just a week.
Go, enjoy yourself with Chris, and I'll see you in a week."

	"I feel like such a fool Bri. I don't even know why I'm crying." Nick tried
to sound strong.

	"You're crying because you're gonna miss me you big lug. Not that I blame
you." Both Nick and Brian laughed softly as they pulled out of their hug.
Brian grasped both of Nick's hands in his as he continued to stare into the
depths of Nick's eyes.

	"Remember something Nick. You are NEVER alone. I am always just a phone
call away. Ok?"

	" I know Bri."

	"Look, you'd better be going now, before the taxi driver thinks you've
changed your mind."

	"I'll miss you Brian."

	"I'll miss you too Nicky. But it's just for one week, and we'll call each
other every chance we get."

	Brian released one of Nick's hands and they each grabbed one of Nick's bags
and proceeded to walk down the stairs and towards the door. Before opening
the door, Nick hugged Brian one last time and when they released, he picked
up his own bags and headed outside to the cab.

	As the taxi drove off Brian shut the house door, and stood inside leaning
against the door. He let a few lone tears slip down his cheek. He missed
Nick already. But he was comforted in the fact that, contrary to what Nick
thought, it would not be a week until they saw each other again. Brian was
heading to Kentucky for two days and then was going to surprise Nick in New
York. It was a plan that Brian and Chris had collaborated on secretly. It
had been difficult to keep it from Nick, but Brian knew he wanted to do
something special for Nick and the trip to New York was sure to be something
that they both needed.

	Brian smiled as he thought of the many things he had planned for the two.
With Chris' help, the plan would continue to proceed seamlessly. Nick was in
for the trip of a lifetime. Brian pulled out his cell phone, dialed a number
and hit send.

	"Hello?" the woman on the phone questioned.

	"Hey Miss Thang, how you doing babe?" Brian turned on his southern charm.

	"Oh, I'm just fine sweety. Is everything set on your end? Does he suspect
anything?"

	" No, everything's perfect. Nicky doesn't suspect a thing..."

	"Good. We're gonna make magic...."

	*******************************************

	There you have it, chapter 10, I hope you enjoyed it. As always,
feedback/suggestions are welcome at nicksxtacy@hotmail.com