Back to Your Heart

Well, this is the second installment to "Back to Your Heart". I've started writing this long before Nifty has even posted the first, so I don't even know if they will. I don't even know if anyone likes my story so far! I plan to write a lot of short chapters frequently, that way I don't loose interest, and readers don't get anxious, that's if I have readers...

Ok, well I know the first one was pretty short, but this one will be longer. My plants for this story will entail a lot of details... Nick and Andrew are just meeting, and its not like people know everything about each other the minute they meet.

Legalities (Which I was just informed MUST be here):

Fiction isn't real, so deal with it. As much as we all wish Backstreet Boys, and N'Sync, and every other celebrity that we find attractive, was gay, it is their business, and not ours. This work of FICTION, does not imply that the REAL celebrities are gay, so don't go thinking that. Yeah, well, on with the story:

Part 2: The meeting...

Chapter 3

I felt a light tapping on my shoulders, as my eyes flitted open from dreamless sleep. I shifted between the sheets, and wished for a moment that Hospitals were a little more concerned for your comfort.

"Time for lunch, hun!" Stacey's southern accent flowed into my mind. She was my nurse, and a really good one at that. In the past two days, I had really gotten to know her well. If not for her, my hospital life may have been a catastrophe.

"Lunch? Don't you mean breakfast?"

"Andrew, honay, it's 10 after 12, I hope you don't want to be eatin' breakfast at this hour." She smiled. My stomach growled.

"Okay, pass it over, before my stomach gets loose and wreaks havoc." I laughed.

She placed the tray beside my bed, and I sat up. Soon I was downing a large sandwich, followed by green jell-o.

"When you're done, I'd like to take a look at your bandages. The doctor will be in later to give you a full check-up. How's the memory holdin' up?" She asked.

"Unfortunately, not very good. But if I was to remember anything, you would be the first to know, babe." She smiled, and I followed suit. "Stacey, what will happen to me if I don't remember anything?"

Her smile faded. "I don't know Andy, I really don't know... We don't know who your parents are, if you have any... The latest I heard was that y' didn't have anything on you... Not even a driver's license." She sighed. There was a pause.

"Where am I? I mean, geographically?" I asked.

"Well, you are in Orlando... Florida, if that means anything to you."

"Disney world... Yeah, I do remember that much... I guess amnesia doesn't make you stupid." She laughed, and it was my turn to sigh.

"Ok , well, lets have a look at y' bandages, honay."

She lifted the tray off my lap, and I sat forward, with my legs dangling over the side of the bed. Starting at my head, she checked all my bandages, the cast on my arm, and the bandages on my leg.

"You know, you really were lucky to end up with only a broken arm!" She exclaimed. "They say your car is completely totaled." She said.

"You know, you tell me that everyday. Besides, the VW has the best crash test standards out of any car its size." I laughed.

"Thank you, 'Mr. Car Salesman', that's great that y' remember that," she added with sarcasm.

"Glad to be of service, ma'am," I mocked her accent.

"I'm goin' now, Andy, I've other patients to attend to." She winked at me.

"Oh you know I am the only one you want to attend to!" I yelled at her as she left the room.

Back to silence. Silence wouldn't be so incredibly bad if you had something to think about. Whenever you are alone, it doesn't seem so bad when you remember a great moment in your life. Seeing as I didn't have any memories to think about, I decided to see how much knowledge I could remember. I got up to the 43rd state, when Nick came into the room. His hair was rustled, and I noticed he was wearing the same clothes, wrinkled, but nonetheless the same, as he was the day before.

I laughed. "Some one looks as if they haven't had much sleep in the past 24 hours! What's up dude?"

"Your real funny...," he faked a smile and walked over to the bed. "Actually, my friends and I decided there should always be one of us, at least, staying here with Brian.

Last night I stayed, as well as one of the other guys, Kevin. They certainly don't provide comfortable sleeping arrangements in this place." He sighed, and sat down on the bed.

"Don't worry, when I get some coffee, and a nice hot shower, I will be back up to my normal hyper self. You haven't experienced that yet."

"Yeah, well, I wouldn't know if I was hyper, but I'm sure I am." I laughed, and he smiled. "Right now, I feel like I want to be! Jeez, I'm bored to tears! Want to play cards with me or something?"

"Sure, I would be happy to... Do you have cards?" He asked.

"Well of course, silly..." I got out of bed, and hobbled over a table that held a single flower arrangement. There was a stack of cards lying there, and I sat down and began to shuffle them.

"Are these the only flowers you got?"

"Well, actually... yes... My nurse bought these for me. If I have any family, or friends, they don't know I am here, so I guess that's why I have no flowers. Stacey, that's my nurse, says that when I got to the hospital, I didn't have any sort of identification on me. The only way they found out my name was my t-shirt. It seems to me I was running from something. They had the police in here a few days ago... and they asked me some questions. I didn't know the answer to any of them. My car, as well as its contents, are being turned over to Stacey tonight... there isn't much left of the car, and most of the junk I had in the back seat flew out of the car when I hit the telephone pole... What game do you want to play?"

"How about Spades?" He asked, thoroughly engrossed in my story.

"Don't think I know it," I replied.

"War?"

I laughed. "Of course I know that one, doesn't everyone?"

"Just asking."

"Nick, do you have a girlfriend?" I asked him.

"What?" I had caught him completely off guard.

"It was just a simple question..."

"I know, I know... you just... surprised me. No, I don't... Do you?" he asked.

"I'm not sure... I doubt it though... I can feel a gap in my emotion when it comes to that topic. I was thinking about it this morning, and I don't think I do."

He smiled. It was obvious he liked my answer.

"You're cute when you smile." I said.

He turned an amazing 5 shades of red.

"And even cuter in red." I giggled. We both threw out a king.

"Well I guess we are at war!" He laughed. We put down three cards, followed by another. His was a 9 of hearts mine a queen of hearts.

"Looks like I won," I said.

"Not for long!" He stole all my cards, and ran out the door.

"HEY! No fair! You never mess with a cripple!" I half yelled, half giggled, as I chassed him out the door. I had just about caught up to him, when he ran into a tall man, with dark brown hair. They both tumbled onto the floor, and cards went everywhere.

Stacey came running down the hall, as though there was an emergency.

I was laughing so hard I had to sit down. Stacey did not look happy.

"Don't you boys know there is no running in the hospital?!!" She sounded really upset; so much so, that I stopped laughing.

Nick was the first to speak up. "I'm sorry, ma'am, I was a little hyper, and it got out of hand... It will never, ever happen again. I'm sorry, really I am."

"It better not happen again, or else I will have to see to it that your arm gets broken, and you end up suffering like all the rest of the patients! Then you will know what its like to want quiet, and not get it because some overgrown kids are running through the halls!"

I began laughing again.

Nick was shuffling around, playing 52 card pick-up. The dark haired man stared at me curiously. I walked over to him, and grabbed his hand.

"Andrew, Andrew Grenoble... and you are?" I asked. He was half shocked.

"This is Kevin, Andrew," Nick piped in.

Kevin shot him a death stare, and Nick retaliated with a "trust me" stare.

"Yeah, I'm Kevin... Richardson," he was testing me, but I wasn't sure for what.

"Hi Kevin, nice to meet you." Obviously, he was happy at my reply.

"How do you know Nick?" He asked.

"We met here in the hospital."

"How did you meet?"

"Well, we kind of ran into each other." Nick smiled.

"How long ago was this?"

"Is this twenty questions?" Kevin was shocked; Nick's smile grew from ear to ear.

"Sorry, I just try to make sure I know what Nick gets himself into when I'm not around." He attempted a smile; Nick rolled his eyes.

"Well, that's very paternal of you." I said. Nick nodded his head, AND rolled his eyes at the same time. (I didn't know that was humanly possible) "I try to be, since Nick gets into trouble quite often."

"Aww, not the Nick I've seen so far! We couldn't possibly be talking about the same person!" Nick smiled, AND rolled his eyes. He certainly was a boy wonder.

"Well, Nick and I better be going, our dear friend is in need..." With that, he grabbed Nick by the arm, and promptly dragged him down the hall. At that point, I figured Kevin Richardson did not like me.

Chapter 4

"I cannot believe you just did that! I am so pissed at you now!" I screamed. I could feel the heat rise up in my neck, and spread to my cheeks.

"Nick, you are turning red, its not becoming," Kevin promptly stated.

"Fuck you! I like Andrew! He is a really cool guy! And now he probably thinks I'm a pompous asshole!" I paused between each sentence, as if it gave heat to my argument.

"Nick, Brian is in the hospital... the last thing we need is for you to go off, making strange friends, people we don't even know... You are a Backstreet Boy; I am concerned for your safety. End of discussion." Kevin said.

"No, it is not the end of this discussion, because you have not given me a fair chance to speak!" I stammered. "There is no reason to be concerned! Andrew doesn't even know who the Backstreet Boys are! He has total memory loss! Now will you please let GO of my fucking arm!"

"Sorry... Nick, you need to be more careful. You never know, Andrew could be some serial killer, out to kill you. The memory loss could be a fake out."

"You don't trust me! That's it! You don't think I can judge people myself! You think I go throwing myself out at any ol' person that just passes me by!" My arms flailed in sync with my yelling; Kevin was staring at me blankly. "ANDREW IS NOT A STALKER!" I screamed "YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PERSON HE IS!" I was yelling so hard it hurt. I began to cry, and I ran back to Brian's room. I know Kevin didn't follow me, because I saw his blank stare before I turned to run.

• • • • • For hours it seemed, I sobbed outside Brian's door. He was asleep, and I tried not to be loud. However, i'm sure the whole hospital heard my and Kevin's argument.

I started to doze off in my arms, when I felt a light tap on my shoulder.

"You have feelings for Andrew, don't you?" Kevin asked, quite softly.

I didn't look up. "It's too early to say that... but I think I am beginning to..." I said. "Kevin... I'm tired... promise me you wont tell the other guys? Not because it's a guy that I like, but because its some one they don't know. I don't want them freaking out on me, with Brian in the hospital."

"They should meet him though, Nick." He sighed. "Nick, I'm sorry... I do trust you... believe me... I trust you with all my heart. It's ok with me that you are gay. Don't worry about it. I wont tell them, that should be your decision, not mine"

"Promise me you will give him a fair chance..." I said.

He paused for a moment; and then came his reply, "I promise."

"That made my day so much better." I sighed, and quietly dozed off.

• • • • • "Nick... NICK... Jeez bud, that couldn't have been a very comfortable sleep you had there..."

"No, it... ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!" My back cracked in a million places as I sat up. "It wasn't very comfortable," I managed to get out. "How are you Howie?"

"Good... I came down to take your place in Brian-sitting. Kevin says you need a bath, so I guess you better go home and get one." He smiled.

"What a dork! He doesn't smell to good himself!" We both giggled.

"Well, why don't you go back to the house, get a shower, and new clothes, and then come back here and we will all have some wonderful HOSPITAL FOOD for lunch!"

He laughed. I gagged.

"If you say so... Oh... By the way, when you guys are all here, I want to introduce you to some one I met here at the hospital... he's a really cool guy." I was hoping Howie would take that lightly.

"No prob by me, Nicky!" He punched me lightly in the arm.

I rolled my eyes, and headed out for the car.

"Tell Kevin I said g'bye!" I shouted on the way out.

• • • • • In no time flat, I had taken a shower, and gotten fresh clothes. I grabbed a quick bite to eat, and drove back to the hospital. I by-passed Brian's room, hoping no one would see me. They didn't.

I continued on down to room 109, and paused. Will Andrew come meet the rest of my friends? I wondered. Then I remembered how outgoing he was towards Kevin. I high- tailed it into his room.

I quickly stopped, and my mouth gaped open in horror. Andrew's room was bare.

Well, it was always bare; but now, the bed was made, and his flowers were gone. All traces of Andrew Grenoble were gone.

I was on the verge of tears. I turned, and solemnly walked out of his room; my feet dragged the whole way.

My head hand low, and I wasn't watching were I was going. Next thing I knew, I bumped into Stacey.

"What did I tell ya'll about watchin' where you are goin'!" She laughed. Then she saw my face. "What'sa matter honay? Why the long face?"

"Where's Andrew? Did he leave already? He told me he was going to be in here a good week longer!"

"They upgraded his status, cutie. It seems his bones have set nicely. He is in room 89... recoup room."

"Wow, thanks Stacey." I smiled, and quickly hustled off towards room 89. Then I stopped. Brian's room was 87. They were right next-door! I broke into a run. Having Brian next to Andrew was a dream come true. It would make life incredibly easier.

When I got to the door, he was watching TV.

"Looks like some one is a fast healer!" I surprised him.

"Hey Nick!!! I'm so glad you found my room! I told Stacey to tell you, but she said she hadn't seen you... What's up? Why are you panting like a dog? Am I that good looking?"

I felt my cheeks blush. "Of course babe! You are dead sexy!" I laughed. "No, I was running. I found Stacey, and she told me you were here. You almost gave me a heart attack." I paused to catch my breath. "Hey, did you know you are right next door to my friend!???"

"The one who had the open heart surgery?" He asked.

"How many friends do you think I have in this hospital?" I joked.

"No, I did not know that, smarty pants! Can I go over and meet him??"

"Actually, I wanted you to meet all the guys! They are meeting up here for lunch.

As a matter of fact..." I said, looking at my watch. "They should be here now! Are you up to it?" I was really enthusiastic. I was hoping he was too.

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME???!!! I wouldn't miss it for the world!!!" I had to smile at that.

I helped him out of bed; and laughed as he hobbled next door. We stood at the door and I said, "Well... are you ready? I'm sure they will like you".

"And I'm sure I will like them."

I pushed the door open, and was met by 4 smiling faces.

"Hey guys... I would like to introduce you to a friend of mine... uh... his name is Andrew, Andrew Grenoble..." They nodded.

"You can just call me Andy." He was smiling a mile a minute.

I pointed to each of AJ, Howie, and Brian, introducing each one. They nodded, and smiled.

"And you already know Kevin." The guys looked at Kevin.

"Andy, how did you come to know Nick?" Howie asked, turning attention away from Kevin.

"We met here, in the halls actually... I fell over Nick, I wasn't paying attention...

and I kinda ran into him." He laughed.

"Oh don't take all the credit! It was really my fault! I was watching this weirdo guy screaming, and I knocked Andy on the floor." I explained. "Andy was in a car accident, that's how come he's in here..."

"Wow," the guys said, in almost unison.

"Yeah..." Andy looked down. "I have almost one hundred percent memory loss... I retained some elementary knowledge, but other than that, I am nearly all blank."

There was the sigh of 4 guys sympathizing.

"That must really suck," AJ piped in.

"The worst part, is that I have this void in my emotions, from before the accident.

I know I was running from something... The police even said I had my belongings in the car with me... I'm just not sure what scared me so badly." Again he looked down.

"Do you have any family, friends in this area?" Brian asked from his bed; I wasn't aware that he had been paying that much attention.

"I don't know... I get out of here in a few days, and I don't know where I will go.

The police tell me they put up a bulletin, but I don't know how well that will go." He sighed.

"You could stay with us!" Kevin said, simply, as if he had already thought about it.

"WHAT??!!!" I think I sounded more surprised than I should have.

"Yeah, I think it's a great idea. With Brian recuperating, it would be easy having him around. We could show him some sights, maybe even help get some of his memories back!" Kevin bore the most evil smile I have ever seen.

"Cool idea Kev!" Howie said.

"That would be really nice. Thank you guys, you just scratched out one of the problems I will have to deal with once I get out of here.... I don't know how I will ever repay you." He said.

"Just keep our Nick in line for a few weeks, and I'm sure that we can work out a deal over that memory issue you have. I mean who knows, maybe you were driving up here to see the Backstreet Boys or something!" Kevin smirked.

Andrew was overjoyed. If only he knew the terror that was to lie ahead.

Ok guys, due to the Hurricane Debby scare, I didn't get to work on this chapter as much as I had planned. I tried to hint at some of the things that Andrew and Nick will experience in the later chapters... If you want to guess on some things, that would be really funny. The story line is just developing, I hope you feel that this chapter helped with some character development, because that is what I was shooting for. And, BTW, the plans for this story tend to lean towards the scary side. I'm not used to writing horror, so we will see just how weird it gets...