" What the fuck are you doing here Tony? " Nick seemed livid in his statement. The mood quickly switched from toxic to lethal and it was the presence of Tony that doubled that percentage. I was quite surprised to see him again. As we all knew, Tony would go to great lengths to get his viewpoint across and in Nick's perspective, it was falling on deaf ears and seriously? I don't blame Nick for being this way.

" Well Nicky you see we have a few things we need to discuss...." Right at that moment he looked at me with dagger shots. This was a showdown I would gladly participate in if only we had boxing gloves on I'd pay to see Nick beat the shit out of this guy. He really was a nutcase. I knew that I was at the centre of this discussion and the reason that Tony was no longer an importance to Nick.

" Let's get a few things straight shall we? DON'T call me Nicky, EVER! Second, we have nothing to discuss as I recall I told you I didn't want a drinking buddy anymore and NO I haven't reconsidered or changed my mind, nothing will change my mind. What is this about needing to discuss? It's always about YOU isn't it Tony? It's always been about YOU and your needs, don't give a shit about anyone else? Tony thinks about what Tony needs. By the way how the hell did you get past my security?..." I think Nick's anger didn't have any effect on him whatsoever coz he had this expression on his face of pure evil, this sinister look that gave me shivers and freaked me right out.

" Well I have been your friend for a very long time Nick, it's amazing what kind of friendship we did have, I mean have you told her what we used to do? Sneak past security having a good time at the clubs. Those were the days Nick, the bodyguards didn't even know we were gone...and now you're trying to stay away from me coz she said so? Because your drinking isn't helping? What happened Nick? What happened to us? I thought we were friends? Buddies? Partners? All for what? So you can sugar-coat your image? Afraid the fans will find out who you really are? Truly a player, who takes drugs, a drunk and who will do anything for a lay? Look at what you have become Nick? A washed up popstar who is only getting into clubs because people feel sorry for you. No one cares who you really are Nick...they just like you because of your name...your celebrity status...if there's any left.... I'm only trying to show you a good time. What we could do to this place....and you chose to become this goody two shoes out of what? For your fans? Shit Nick they all know you aren't a saint! Hell I don't even think your shrink thinks you're a saint! You know why she's here Nick and it's definitely not what you think...." I couldn't believe the things he said to Nick. He took it all on the chin and this guy was degrading his profile and damaging a self esteem that was already in a crisis and didn't need to be battered anymore than it already had been.

" You son - of - a - bitch....what do you know about me? You think you can walk in here and tell me my faults and think I'm going to just let you stand there and talk about me like that? You've just proven to me how much more of a selfish asshole you have become. You only wanted me because of what I am and no one can deny, not even me how I'm not proud of things I've done, but out of all people Tony I thought you would understand why I did this. You are only coming here to try and manipulate and twist stories and judge me upon the bad things I've done. Yeah I am a drunk and I've done drugs and all of the other bad things that I'm definitely not proud of but seriously? I'm getting help....I'm realising that the world doesn't revolve around drinking and women and fame. It's about facing up to your mistakes and admitting you were wrong...that's what makes you a man Tony, and frankly you are just a boy trying to fit in with the big guys and when I turned around and said that's enough, you felt rejected, YOU wanted revenge, YOU wanted to hurt me and make me feel like you but not this time Tony, you will NOT make me feel like I'm unworthy. This is the last straw. I'm NOT afraid or scared of who I am coz seriously? If people don't like me for the way I am than that's their problem not mine. I'm sorry Tony but I'm not a puppet on a string anymore. I think you better leave. " Seriously I had never in my life seen Nick this strong, this assertive and calm...a little bit of firmness in there too. But Tony was not done yet my gentle viewers (Sorry! I had an Andrew moment in Buffy! LOL!)

" Well, Well , Well! Nick you have floored me! Loved the speech! What? Did you practice that infront of the mirror? I get it the shrink told you to say it right? Damn good use of words Nicky...oops! I forgot! Oh geez my heart is bleeding! get me a bandaid! Nick you just don't get it do you? She is using you to get back at me! I figure you fuck her and get it over with...there's too much tension in the room...give me a call when you're done..." Nick shoved Tony up against the wall and scrunched up his shirt with his fists.

" Get the fuck out of here, I don't ever and I mean EVER want to see you again! Don't you dare speak that way about Skye or I'll beat you so bad that the morgue won't be able to identify you...." Nick hissed and honestly that scared me. Tony was using it to his every advantage, knowing if he pushed Nick hard enough....he would hit him.

" What's Nick gonna do huh? better listen to that shrink of yours...might get you into trouble..." Tony's mouth was temporarily silenced by Nick's fist. Nick punched Tony square in the mouth, also colliding with his nose in the process, sending Tony flying to the ground hard, blood immediately pouring from his mouth and nose. The shock had set in for me and I stood there shaking, Nick not an ounce of mercy in him to see if Tony was alright.

" Fuck! Nick! you broke my nose damn it! " Tony tried to stand up but Nick pushed him back down on the carpet. He leaned right down next to Tony holding his shoulders.

" Now get the fuck out of my sight before I break more than just your nose...." Mike had arrived to see Tony on the floor, blood everywhere and Nick standing over him. He rushed in to see what the commotion was.

" Tony, I thought I told you to make the world a better place and leave, damn I have to call you a cab to get this checked out...you gonna be alright you two? " Mike looked over at me, I just sat on the bed shaking, in shock of the event. Mike tilted his head my way so Nick could see me sitting there.

" Yeah...I'll take care of Skye...we'll be okay..." Tony looked at Mike helplessly.

" What about me? He broke my fuckin' nose! " Mike dragged him to his feet.

" And you probably damn well deserved it too...let's go..." Mike disappeared with Tony out to the lobby and Nick closed the door. He saw the adjoining door open slightly and followed to where I was on the balcony. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head.

" I'm sorry about that...he said...what he said about you..I wanted to protect you and now he's made me out to be this drug addicted popstar who loves women and I used to be that way coz I that's how I handled my problems but now it's different...it's..." I turned in his arms to look up at him and smiled, touching his face, his voice so sincere, scared that I would run away and laugh at him, or make fun of what Tony said about him, but I didn't.

" I know and I'm grateful...I was just scared...he really provoked you and there's something about him I don't particularly like...he scared me because he tried to bring out all your faults, threw everything at you and you took it on the chin. You are a man, a young man who wants to change his life and only you can do that, Tony on the other hand wants to live his life through you and it's only going to get worse in the future. " Nick kissed me sweetly, caressing my face. The bond we shared couldn't be explained. Him and I were connected and looked out for one another. He really trusted me now and I trusted him.

" I would never hurt you...what you saw in there..he made me feel like I was nothing and I knew damn well I was something...he just wanted to bring down my defences and I guess the danger I have to watch out for is that he'll try and come between us, just like he tried to come between me and Grace. He's threatened and determined to try and use any information he has on me against me, and he'll even try to turn you against me. " I sighed and kissed his chest..well his shirt but it was an affectionate gesture.

" I will never let Tony turn me against you....I know what he's like and it will never happen. He's the one that has to realise what he's lost...not you. " We were just about to kiss when Mike interrupted us.

" Mike? What's wrong buddy? " Nick turned in the same direction to face Mike and his worried expression.

" Nick...Tony is pressing charges against you for breaking his nose...."

" He's doing WHAT? The fuck he isn't! call my lawyer Mike, I'm gonna sue that bastard! He can't let this go can he? " Nick let go of me and stormed into the room and sat on the bed.

" Nick listen to me...with Skye as a witness, he hasn't got a case....the guy provoked you and you hit him in self defence..look Tony is a nasty piece of work and we all have fallen victim to it but he won't get away with this.." I took Nick's hand in mine and circled my thumb around the back of his palm gently, trying to calm him down to some degree.

" Sweetie, Mike's absolutely right, I can vouch for you that he provoked you to hit him, there's no question about that and he asked for it, once the cops hear that, they won't press charges. The guy is bad news regardless and all he'll have to show for it is a broken nose and a bruised ego. " There was a knock at the door and figured it was the boys in blue, ( as we call them in Australia! LOL! ) Mike opened the door and there stood to police officers.

" Can we speak to Mr Carter and Miss Cassidy in regards to the charges that have been laid against Mr Carter by Mr Bass? " Mike let the officers into the room and we were asked a series of questions regarding the incident and even Mike was a character witness after the event. After a statement was made by each of us, the officers came to the conclusion that me as a witness provided the necessary means on the charges being dropped on the grounds that Tony was merely provoking Nick to hit him, making his insults towards me and Nick were part of his motive. The police officers left an hour later and I was left with a very quiet Nick.

" He's going to do it again...I know Tony... he'll try something...anything, even if it is a last attempt. He's always wanted to break me into someone I'm not...make me believe what he is telling me is true, real and believable. But I can't let him, I won't let him." I put my arm around Nick to comfort him.

" Baby if he tries anything and seriously? he can try all he likes, coz he ain't coming between you and I...I'm serious, he can throw every trick in the book at us and he'll never win. He's a guy that needs to get a good hiding. Nick listen to me, don't let him get to you, I care about you and this cross fire between you and Tony will only get worse unless you cut all ties with him for good....change your cell phone number, the code to your house, anything that you can think of that he will try anything out on. That guy is full of revenge and hate...he'll definitely try something, you're right about that..." Nick smiled and touched my cheek.

" I'm so glad you were here, it was like you gave me the strength to stand up to him and knock him down a few pegs. You made me realise that there's more to life than just the glamour that Tony was trying to show me. You showed me what it was like to be me...for me...the real me.." Before I could answer, Nick's lips were on mine and it felt wonderful to be touched the way he touched me. Gently at first before becoming more passionate. I truly felt wanted and needed. He ran his fingers through my hair. His lips found my neck and I felt too weak to do anything about it.I fell back on the bed with Nick ontop of me. We made out the whole entire night, just enjoying each others caresses and not even thinking about the next step in our relationship. This was the moment, wrapped up in each other, exhausted from what the evening had already brought, we rested tightly in each others arms to prepare for an even tougher battle to overcome...

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