" So AC, I love having you here and all but..." Nick stopped mid sentence hoping Aaron caught onto what his older brother meant. Hoping for some sort of answer to why he was here. They both took a walk on the beach to talk privately, but Nick felt Aaron wasn't just here for a family visit.

" Why am I here? Well Nick, I'll be honest with ya...I know you like it best when you deal with things on your own but I couldn't stay away. I miss you bro and well...I wanted to see how everything was going.." In general? How could he explain to Aaron that he had gotten help? He didn't want Aaron thinking he couldn't handle things on his own. He was the eldest, the leader and Aaron had always looked up to him.

" Well I got some help buddy, I'm trying to anyway... it's a little difficult..." Nick sat down in the sand. Aaron following suit, sitting beside him looking a little confused.

" Why? Skye seems to be a real nice woman and I can't deny...she's hot too...plus she seems to be helping you but? " Aaron didn't quite grasp it all. He needed a little more to go on than just difficult.

" She's been living with me the last couple of months, I thought it would be easy you know...get to know her for a while and then tell her but it seems like I still don't trust her...I don't know why, I mean I just... when it comes time to tell her, I freeze up... like she might be disappointed in what I have to fess up... it's too much to bare..." Nick couldn't control his feelings anymore, and Aaron was the only one that actually saw him like this. They would comfort each other and could tell each other everything....why was it so hard for Nick to tell Skye? That's what Aaron was trying to get his head around. He had a fair idea though and put his hand on his brother's shoulder.

" You just can't assume her reaction Nicky, she's the one that has to decide that....you know what I think? You think that since she's been with you this far and she's said she won't leave, and if you tell her all and I mean EVERYTHING... you'll think she'll back out...that you're that shit scared what she'll say or think...Nick she's a shrink, that's her job, to help you. You need to tell her...if she's been with you this far...hell Nick no one has been this far...do you really think she'll back out after everything you guys have been through already? I know you're scared but if you want to get better, you've got to tell her...." Nick knew he would have to tell Skye sometime and he was just scared what she'd say...would she stay?

" What if I can't? What if I tell her and she freaks out? What if..." Aaron put both hands on Nick's shoulders and looked at him through his own teary eyes.

" Look! no more what ifs okay? Nick she's here, really here with open arms to help you, she's told you why she's here, you've got to tell her everything so you can move on with your life man...no more bottling it up, no more hiding behind walls that you have put up... she wants to know so badly then you tell her then. If she's shocked then that's expected with the stuff you have been through I wouldn't be surprised. It's time to fess up...it's time to let her in..." Let her in? Nick looked at Aaron with fear in his eyes...Was he ready to let her in? He had been denying it for so long now that it seemed like he was blinded by the reality.

" You think so AC? Will she understand? " Aaron smiled and pulled his brother in for a hug.

" Nicky I don't just think so...I know so and brother to brother, she'll understand more than you'll ever know..."

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Aaron stayed for dinner that night and was staying for as long as he wanted to, or whatever Nick had told him. We all ate in silence. Whatever talk the brothers had must of been an intense one coz nobody even commented on my pasta. Aaron kept looking at both Nick and I as we ate. Aaron knew there's was a bit of sexual tension but Nick and I were both oblivious to it or so Aaron thought....

" This is really good pasta Skye..." Okay so Aaron made a comment on my pasta...I think it was just to break the silence but he seemed to have enjoyed it.

" That's good Aaron, I'm glad...it's one of my specialties.." I smiled and continued eating. Nick not even saying a word throughout the whole conversation. I didn't want to push him to tell me what's wrong. I figure when he is ready he'll let me know. That was my technique from now on.

" Well I'm going to get an early night...I'll see you in the morning..." He hugged his brother and Nick murmured a "goodnight" and off to his bedroom Aaron went. I stood up and decided to make myself useful.

" Well I better clean these dishes up..." I went to grab the bread and butter plate that was beside Nick when I felt him put his hand on mine to stop me. I looked at him straight away and his eyes looked so lost. He must of had some inner battle with himself to tell me something.

" Skye...I want to tell you everything....so much....I'm just scared....frightened of what you might say...I know you told me to throw anything at you and you could handle it, it's just I don't know how much you want to know and if you want to know everything...I'm afraid that you'll get freaked out and worry, and as much as you say you'll be here for me...there is always going to be a small doubt for me coz I have been let down so much in the past...that's why you have probably been in contact with many walls. I don't want you to think less of me...by telling you everything...I know I shouldn't judge or assume your reaction but seriously? are you sure you want to know everything? I can't bare it if you leave...." By this time I had sat back down and held his hand tightly. Boy this guy was trying so hard to make absolutely sure I wanted to know. Geez he must of had some heavy shit going on but I wanted to know...I had come too far to back out now...I put my hand to his face and smiled at him.

" Nick, look at me....really look at me...I'm not going anywhere...what you say or what Tony says about me aren't going to scare me away. Nick my reaction would be that I most likely could be shocked followed by a wave of sympathy. But when it comes down to everything and I mean EVERYTHING, that you spill to me...I'll still be standing...not matter what happens, I will help you, guide you and support you through whatever you need to get out and obviously this has been building up for some time. Don't think that because you have been through so much and that you have scary demons, that I will be freaked out and run away....I'll never run away...I will stay here and help you work this out okay? I wouldn't be doing this if I wasn't here to help you.... I want to know EVERYTHING...take your time huh? " Nick looked at me, tears falling down his cheeks as I spoke and he pulled me in for a hug when we both stood up.

" I'm so glad to have you here...in my life....I just hope you still are after the fall...." I smiled and pulled Nick back to face me.

" Of course I will that's what I'm here for...to clean up your mess..."

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