Date: Sat, 07 Apr 2001 05:34:41
From: Jeff Langdon <jeff_langdon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Westlife Romance - Chapter 18  (revised)

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!!

	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*

Westlife Romance - Part 18

Bryan woke up to an all too familiar surrounding...in the comfort of his
bed, comfortably wrapped in his blanket.  But wait, something was wrong.
Forcing himself to clear his mind, he gradually remembered the events of
last night.  Yes, he remembered the argument between Nicky and Kian.  He
remembered Nicky coming to his room.  He remembered...yes, he remembered
laying Nicky on the bed and sleeping on the couch.  Then how did he end up
in his own bed?  These confusing thoughts were enough to cause Bryan to get
up from the bed.  Surveying his surroundings, everything in the room looked
normal except for the presence of Nicky's suitcase.  Which brings up another
point...where is Nicky?  This last question stirred a sense of panic in
Bryan.  He quickly rushed into the bathroom to get himself into presentable
form.  His mind was filled with horrible images of what could have happened
to his band mate while he was asleep.  Silently cursing himself for falling
asleep last night, he was determined to locate Nicky.  When he came out of
the bathroom, he was surprised to see Nicky sitting on the couch reading the
paper.

Hearing the bathroom door open, Nicky turned and smiled at Bryan.  "Mornin'
Bryan."

"Morning, Nix," Bryan answered with a tentative smile, relieved that his
band mate was okay.  "How are you doing this morning?"

"I'm doing okay.  I ordered breakfast," Nicky replied.  "Should be ready in
fifteen minutes or so."

On hearing the word breakfast, Bryan broke into a wide grin.  "Did you
order..."

"Freshly squeezed orange juice, extra pulp, right?" Nicky answered with a
knowing grin.

Bryan smiled widely and merely nodded like a child.  Nicky could not help
but laugh at the sight.  "And by the way," he continued, "that sweater
doesn't really match with the black pants.  Try the grey ones."

"Why thank you, Mr. Fashion Expert," Bryan said dramatically.  On taking a
closer look, he knew that Nicky was right.  Then again, when it came to
fashion issues, Nicky was always right.  Bryan smiled and took his outfit
into the bathroom to change.

It was while Bryan was changing that he remembered the reason why he woke up
in the first place.  How did he end up on the bed?  After a quick check of
his hair, he rejoined Nicky in the room.  "Hey, Nix?"

"Yeah?" Nicky answered while continuing to read the paper.

"How did I end up on the bed last night?"

"I dunno," Nicky answered.  "Maybe you sleepwalked."

"Very funny."

"Oh alright, I brought you over from the couch."

"Why did you do that?"

"'Cause you were having such a hard time sleeping.  Guess you weren't used
to sleeping on the couch."

Immediately, Bryan felt a wave of guilt overcome him.  "I'm sorry, Nix," he
said softly.

"For what, Bryan?" Nicky asked with a puzzled look.

"I ask you to come over and you ended up sleeping on the couch..."

"Hey, it IS your room, you know.  Plus I don't mind sleeping on the couch.
I can fall asleep anywhere...almost." Nicky pulled Bryan into a hug.  "I
appreciate what you did last night, Bry..." he said to his band mate softly.
  "Thank you."

Bryan could only respond by smiling back.

"Anyways," Nicky continued, "I think we should head off to breakfast."

"Good idea," Bryan replied cheerfully, his happy mood returning.

The two friends walked down to the lounge just as breakfast arrived.  As
they filled their plate with food, Mark walked in sleepily.  The bags under
his eyes told the story of a sleepless night.  "Hey, Nix," he managed to
utter.  "You doing okay?"

"I'm doing good, Mark," Nicky replied.  "Wish I could say the same 'bout
you," he added with a mischievous grin.

"Haha..." Mark answered as he began to pile sausage and bacon on his plate.
It was at this moment that Shane walked into the lounge.

"Whoa, Shane," Bryan exclaimed, "you look horrible!!!"

"Thank you for your kind greeting, McFadden," Shane answered tiredly.  "Must
you always be so honest?"

Bryan merely laughed softly as he continued eating.  Shane walked up to the
table and grabbed a plate.  As he began to fill his plate with food, Nicky
walked up to his band mate.  "You doing okay?" Nicky asked.  "You look like
you were up all night..."

Just hearing Nicky's voice brought back Shane's guilty feelings.  "Stop
being so nice to me, Nicky..." he thought.  "If only you knew what I've
done..."  He was so preoccupied with his thoughts that he lost his grip on
the plate.  He was brought back to reality by the sound of the plate
smashing on the floor.  "Fuck!!" he yelled angrily.

Mark walked up to Shane as he yelled.  "Whoa, Shane.  Take it easy."

Shane hung his head in shame at his outburst.  "Sorry.  I'm fine, Mark.
Don't mind me." He knelt down and began picking up the shattered pieces of
china on the floor.  His eyes were filling with tears, but he refused to let
them fall.  As he continued cleaning up, he saw another pair of hands.  He
looked up and saw Nicky helping him with the clean up.  Nicky merely smiled
and silently went about his work.

"Morning," a soft voice said.

Even though he was concentrating on the broken china, Nicky could recognize
that voice anywhere.  It was Kian.  His voice broke Nicky's concentration,
causing him to cut himself with the pieces of china on the floor.  He
grasped his hand in pain from the cut.

Bryan rushed over and knelt beside Nicky, as did Shane.  "You okay, Nix?"
Bryan asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Nicky replied.

Bryan was so concerned with Nicky and he failed to notice the jealous look
on Kian's face.  Kian was in fact fuming.  "Why does Bryan keep hogging
Nicky?" he thought to himself.  "And why won't Nicky let me explain to
him...he's so close with Bryan all of a sudden."  Looking at Shane, Kian got
even angrier, blaming his band mate for all his troubles.  "Shane, I just
wanted to tell you that Derek is staying with the crew."

That comment brought puzzled stares from everyone, although Shane's look was
more a look of anger than a look of puzzlement.  "What did you just say?"

"I said Derek is staying with the crew."

"The hell he is, Egan," Shane replied angrily.  "He's fired!!"

"I knew it was you, Filan," Kian shot back.  "Who do you think you are,
going around firing people for no reason."

"I don't have to explain anything to you.  He's fired.  And that's final."

"That's what you think," Kian yelled.  "You're not the only member of the
group.  And I'm saying that he's staying."

By this time, Bryan was also fuming.  "What the fuck do you think you're
doing, Kian.  Haven't you and Derek caused enough trouble?  The least you
can do is to keep Derek away from the rest of the group."

"Shut the hell up, Bryan.  This is none of your business."

"Lads, calm down," Mark urged in vain.  The atmosphere was too tense for his
words to be of much use.

The lads continued to argue heatedly.  Only Nicky remained silent.  Finally,
Bryan said, "What do you say, Nix?  Shouldn't we fire Derek?"

"If Kian wants him to stay, then let him stay," Nicky answered, his voice
trembling somewhat.  Everyone stared at him in astonishment, not knowing
what to say.  "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to fix up this cut on my
hand..." With that, Nicky left the room quickly as he struggled to keep his
emotions under control.

...to be continued....

	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*

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.