Oh gosh. What a chap! Amazing, as always.

First: Lou is a bastard. And I cannot way for the moment when everything he has done will come back and kick him hard. Karma is a bitch :D

Second. Aj/Brian fight. I'm with Brian because Aj can go on with the *don't dare judge my life* but he was doing the same thing. Assuming that Brian's life had been perfect like it was a fault or a blame. And I think this tells a lot of Brian's personality, the fact that he doesn't ever speak about how difficult and hard had been growing up as a "fragile kid". And, as I always said, if one doesn't tell about the negative stuff or act upon then, doesn't mean there is always the sun shining.

Third. Nick. The last words hurt and I have the feeling he will regret them when Brian will have to undergo surgery. ;(

Author's Response: It can be really easy to judge other people's lives and experiences based on what they project and what you think you see. AJ was going off of the persona that Brian was projecting. Granted, he didn't have a right to assume but that's what happens when you just don't know. I think it's important to remember in times when we're upset that everyone has been down and out and that we're gonna get back up again. Thanks for the review!!!

Poor poor Nick :( this made me so sad. Brian's not even seeing what is happening to everyone. He's worried about money, about himself and leighanne that he isn't seeing the big picture. Nick's rant broke my heart just a little. poor boys.

Lou is scary!!! And Brian? Go see a doctor!

"They were just Bone and Frack. That's not even a thing."

I haven't actually finished the chapter yet, I just wanted to comment on this one bit first. I like how you're exploring the jealously Brian may have had over Nick and AJ's relationship (and I really, really loved that line I quoted) because I've seen a lot of fics talk about how Nick was jealous of Brian and AJ in recent years, but not a lot about the opposite way! But I definitely think that Brian would have felt this way too back in the day and Nick and AJ started hanging out together more.

Okay, finished reading now. Lots going on in this chapter. First of all, I want to say I can't believe Nick and AJ were going to do coke, but of course I totally can given what we know about them now. But it was really sad to read Brian's reaction to it. The beginning of the stress on their friendship is definitely showing. I'm glad Brian confided in Kevin about the money situation and that Kevin agreed with him about it and even tried to go to Lou about their contracts. Of course Lou the scumbag has no time to talk to them about it. And I suppose he probably won't ever until he's put in front of a judge. Ugh. I enjoyed how when they were in Atlanta Brian right away thought to go to Leighanne's parents and ask for permission to marry her. Very Brianish thing to do! And him playing golf at the end was precious, though I'm sure he'll be paying for that later. Can't wait until your next chapter! I am LOVING this!

Author's Response: The way Nick's allegience shifted from Brian to AJ as the split in their friendship happened has always been fascinating to me because you can literally see the future forming. Nick's recent admission to drug use and drinking and the cardiomyopathy and everything really has its roots right in this time of BSB history, as he started hanging out with AJ, who we long ago knew was doing this stuff. Where else would Nick have learned it, you know? It's funny how much of Nick really can be found in the other Boys' personalities because of the way he grew up with them. He's like the little melting pot that all the guys threw parts of themselves into. But yes, Brian's jealousy over Nick's departure is something I wanted to explore in this story as well as everything else I'm poking around in... And I couldn't let the good ol' southern boy NOT ask for permission!! My only frustration is I can't find Leighanne's mother/step-father's last name so I had to go the "Sir" route in the story to keep that accurate. Normally, I think Brian would've called him "Mr. (last name)", but since he's her step-father, I'm guessing his last name isn't Wallace. Anyways... THANK YOU SO MUCH for your reviews! They make me smile! haha

It's a scary chapter.
It's scary to think why Nick is acting like that, what other secret he's keeping beside Brian's and what he meant with that question. And it's scary to think that it coul had happened in reality.

It's scary to think what coul happen to Brian between now and two months. It isn't a simple visit, it's his heart and it should be something more important than not screw up the perfect schedule Lou has planned. I wonder what he would do if something like what happened with Nick would happen on stage... and I kinda have the feeling that he would act as the show must go on, forcing Brian to keep going like nothing is wrong.

It's scary to find out that, though all the hard work they're doing, they're getting paid with the minimum. And I think that scariest part in this last is that it shatters completely the image Brian had of their managers whom he believed they were like fathers and in reality they only wanted to have a blind faith so that they could steal away the money without a blink from the guys part.

And it is really sad to see the five of them so stranded that nobody can see how much each of them is struggling. And it's sadder to think that this was the way things were back in the past.

Author's Response: It was a scary chapter. It was a scary chapter to write too because it does skirt on the edge of so many issues. The weird part is the figure of them getting page minimum wage is fairly accurate. One of the articles about Lou and the way he treated the Boys said that when Brian began the law suit in 1998 (in real life I mean obviously), the five Boys combined had made a total of $300,000. That really does break into $60,000 between 1993 and 1998, so it really is less than the figure Brian comes up with in the story because he only allows for the two years. The minimum wage in 1998 in the US was $5.15, and the math comes out to $5.75/hour at the 100 hours a week that Brian figured in the story.

Aww, the end of this chapter made me sad. :( I hope Brian really does go get checked soon and doesn't let Lou delay him too long. When even Nick acts like it's serious, you know it's serious! Speaking of Nick, I cracked up at how he wrapped AJ's present with the phone book and all the tape, as well as his Chatty Carterness in the airport. Just for accuracy's sake, The Matrix didn't come out till 1999, so wouldn't have made that reference when he was rambling about time. But great job with this chapter!!

Author's Response: Thanks for the note about the Matrix, I'm going to go in and take out the reference! I can't believe that film is that recent... that kinda blows my mind. LOL.... and yeah Nick not wanting to get the ball back was really sad to write, seriously! lol

That must have been pretty much scaring. Poor Nick that thought that Brian was having like an heart attack, he's probably literally worrying about his Frick.
And Brian... oh puppy, I can only give you and hug.
And it's interesting how a simple thing like buying a ring turned out to be a revelation about how little money they're collecting even though they're working their asses off and no stop.

Author's Response: It was a challenge when I was storyboarding this part of the story to think of what would be the catalyst that would launch Brian into noticing the issues with Lou and Johnny while still allowing him a shadow of a doubt on their part. It's a thin line, when you have someone you've trusted for so long turn out to be someone that cannot be trusted, because everything in you wants so bad to not have been wrong for so long. It's an interesting balance to try to write out.

Poor Brian. I feel bad for fans that end up missing shows because of a accident or whatever happens in their life. It was nice of them to go and visit her though, but I am constantly reminded how much I dislike Lou Pearlman and Johnny Wright. Back when I was in high school I was offered to be represented by TransContinental as an actress, I had an audition and everything. But once they played that video and mentioned BSB and NSYNC and Lou, I high tailed it out of there. I refused to have anything to do with that company, Lou was and always will be scum. I liked how you are showing the reality of it all. Great chapter again :)

Author's Response: I didn't know TransCon worked with acting. That's cool you had the audition. I wouldn't have stayed on either after hearing about Lou. Thanks for the review!!