A party for Nick's launch of his " Now Or Never " CD would hopefully put him in good spirits. He mingled and smiled for the cameras, when contest winners wanted pictures or a hug and even the good old autograph didn't go astray. He even let reporters and DJs interview him on the eve of this wonderful milestone in his career. After all the hype and personal work had been done, Nick scanned the crowd and tried to find me. I was sitting away in a corner booth, watching Nick do his duties and smiling at me from across the room. He came over to me a moment later.

" Hey, hon are you enjoying yourself? " I gave him a shy smile in return and moved over so he could sit next to me.

" I just don't like the spotlight very much, so....I just wanted to watch you work " Nick looked at me and for the first time in a long time he just stared at me. It was like he was looking into my soul and I didn't know if I should expose that part of me but he was getting into my heart somehow, by the way those blue eyes warmly looked into my own. He smiled sweetly and kissed my cheek.

" I gotta make a speech, I'll be right back..." Nick stood and squeezed my hand before approaching the stage. I was a little interested into what exactly he was going to do or say.

" Hey everyone! I'm glad you could make it tonight. Well this is it...my work...my baby...about to be launched tomorrow and I hope people will like a different change. I do admit fans might get a shock, but hey I'm unpredictable...I put a lot of effort into this album and there's a few people I want to thank. Max Martin, for helping me produce, as well as helping me writing these songs. The writers who also assisted me; Guy Chambers, Mathew Gerrard, Rami and many others. To my bro Aaron, who's in the house tonight somewhere....he's been my strength and support with this album over the last couple of months, to my brothers Brian, Howie, Kevin and AJ for being apart of my life for so long, without you guys this album wouldn't be here right now...oh! there's one more person I wanna thank, as well as the contest winners and DJs and everyone else that turned up, there's one person who is outside of all that. She doesn't like the spotlight very much so I wont throw her into the deep end, but I want her to know that I am grateful for all the time and effort she has put in to help me get through some trying times recently and to thank her....I wrote this song with Max Martin, it's on the album and it shows how much this woman has helped me so far. This song is called " I Got You " I was shocked...I truly was, Nick dedicating a song to me? Well I did want to hear it, so I sat back and listened to the sound of his voice, full of passion, full of longing and full of love.....

The crowd was quiet for about a minute before a huge applause rose. It was a beautiful song and to have him be apart of that...to share something special with me like that...was truly amazing. I got up and walked outside to get some fresh air. I could still hear the clapping, screaming and even whistles as Nick exited from the stage. I could smell the salty breeze in the air and hoped it wouldn't be a long night, but I was here for Nick, I was glad he was working again and he'd be up for a solo tour soon.

" Did you like the song? " I looked towards the door and there stood Nick. I was still in a little bit of shock but I smiled.

" Nick...it was a very beautiful song....I'm grateful that you think I have helped you in some way...." Nick put his arms on my shoulders.

" You have helped me...besides me spilling my guts..you have helped me more than you will ever know and when I feel comfortable and the time is right, then I'll tell you all you need to know...right now I want to celebrate and I want you by my side celebrating with me..." Nick put his arm around me to the small of my back and lead me into the room. His smiled faded when he saw Tony at the bar.

" What the hell is he doing here? " Nick hissed in a frustrated tone. I took the hand that was on the small of my back into my own hand and gave his hand a little squeeze in support.

" Just ignore him Nick...he's looking for trouble and you don't want any attention brought to yourself, look around you, press, contest winners...don't even think about it..." I whispered into his ear. Nick agreed after his little ego boost and it was too much at stake to have a heated confrontation with Tony right now. Even so why waste any sort of anger out on Tony? Hopefully he wouldn't cause any trouble but he spotted us and smirked.

" He's coming this way..." Nick whispered and not anticipating this conversation or the smirk Tony had on his face. Why did Tony have to ruin his happiness all the darn time?

" Well done Nicky, I truly felt that song was quite...eloquent, isn't he just the romantic? " Nick rolled his eyes and hoped Tony wouldn't stay too long.

" What do you want? Why are you here? you definitely weren't invited as I recall? " Nick watched Tony's smirk turn into his bitter behaviour, Nick knew this was when Tony lashed out.

" Why am I here? last time I checked Nick it was a free country? Just coz you are some fucking popstar, you think you can get anything you want huh? " I laughed....really this guy was pathetic.

" Well I see that worked for you nicely since all you wanted Nick for was his celebrity status....you make me sick, Nick let's go, I don't want him near us..." Nick turned to me as if to say well done for the comment and we made our way over to a booth when Tony grabbed my arm.

" Always the over--confident bimbo huh? since when do you fight for Nick? He can fight quite well on his own....he doesn't need some shrink telling him what to do, leave that to me honey " I flung my arm away from him and spat at him.

" Let's get a few things straight here, ONE; I am not an over--confident bimbo, TWO; I don't fight for Nick, but he is my first priority as a patient and friend, THREE; I don't appreciate you judging me when you hardly know who I am, I'm not only a shrink, my job is to help Nick and to keep him away from guys like you...and don't call me honey....I hate that coming from you " Nick moved close to Tony's face, their noses practically touching.

" If you ever touch Skye like that again....I will make sure I will not only make you suffer, but suffer intense pain, so back off before I call security..." Nick started to walk away when Tony called out;

" Oh yeah? the same security that didn't save Grace...man Nick you weren't even man enough to save her..." Nick turned around with pure hatred in his eyes and made a dash for Tony but I had a quick reflex and held him back.

" You son of a bitch! Grace has NOTHING to do with this! You leave her out of this! You can't help yourself can you! " Mike stepped in before Nick could get away from me.

" Hold up Nick....before you do some damage control...Why don't you make the world a better place and just leave Tony? " Mike asked Tony to leave with a very stern look on his face. Tony backed away hands up to protect himself.

" Don't worry Nick, we're not finished...yet..." Tony slammed his hand against the door as it flew open and he let himself out. I put a hand on Nick's shoulder.

" Are you okay? " Nick asked immediately when he felt my hand on his shoulder, instantly relaxing. I took a look around and people seemed oblivious to the scene that just occurred. I looked at Nick's concerned eyes for me.

" Yeah...a little shaken but I'll be okay...are you okay? " His sad eyes almost brought me to tears. He whispered, voice almost cracking;

" Skye, please take me home...we need to talk..."

" I Got You " Written By Max Martin and Nick Carter, Taken from the album; " Now Or Never " Copyright 2002

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