Sorry again for not reviewing for a bit. I am playing catch up but still reading :)

I really really enjoy how you have written Brian here, his and AJ's relationship...and just Brian himself was amazing. I feel the part of him wanting to feel everything was perfect is very accurate, and I would expect AJ to react the way he did when he saw Brian holding a cigarette....because I would react the same way. I am glad the boys are being open with each other.

I love how they were both yelling at Kevin before he told them the body didn't belong to Nick, I can't wait to see who it was and where he is!

Author's Response: No worries about not reviewing. I feel like I have been playing catch up with myself lately in terms of trying to get the next chapter out. Sometimes life is just too crazy for the stuff that I really want to do. :) I'm glad that you enjoyed my portrayal of Brian here. I was kind of worried that people would feel that I had made him too "hard", too unlike himself. As I've mentioned before to others, I seriously believe that there is more to Brian than what he presents to the world/the fans.

I just found your story recently and am thoroughly enjoying it. The characterizations are very believable and your writing is excellent. This was a beautiful chapter in how Brian's opening up to AJ becomes a measure of his grief... and now that we know the body is not Nick's, I have to wonder how he and all the guys will deal (or not) with the resulting uncertainty and potential hope. I also loved how you're taking advantage of writing each chapter from one point of view, revealing more about each of the guys in successive increments, with extra kudos for the the AJ/Brian dynamic in their chapters. Hope you'll post another chapter soon and I promise to review!

Author's Response: Thanks so much for taking the time to post a comment!! I really appreciate all of the feedback. I'm glad that you're enjoying the characterization of all the boys. It will definitely get a bit more interesting now that we know that the body isn't Nick's. The AJ/Brian dynamic is one of my favourites and it will be explored a little bit more as the story goes on.

WHOA!!! You totally got me; with both of their reactions in the last chapter, I thought it had to be Nick. I'm happy to find out I was wrong! Now I'm wondering who it is and why he looked like Nick, even down to the tattoos. What kind of conspiracy is this?! I love it!! I also loved the conversation between Brian and AJ. I've told you before how much I like the two of them paired up, and they play off each other nicely in this story. I like that you gave Brian an edge, but thank you for not having him light up that cigarette, even though he was considering it LOL. I was like, "Don't do it, Brian!" The drinking thing is interesting, though. I don't see him taking it to that extreme in real life, but I could definitely see him feeling trapped in his little bubble life with Leighanne. It's so funny that you described it that way, as a "bubble of isolation," because I literally just referred to Brian living in "his own little bubble back in Atlanta" in the chapter I was writing before I read this. Great minds think alike! I love what he said about reconnecting with Nick. It does seem like they've gotten closer again in real life. I'm glad Nick is (presumably) not really dead so there's still a chance of them continuing their friendship in this story. I can't wait to see where this is going next!!! I'm sure you can tell from this long review that I really loved this chapter!

Author's Response: I think this review is almost the length of the chapter ... LOL! I'm so happy that I had you fooled. It's nice to know that the ending of the chapter was a surprise for most people. I couldn't actually bring myself to make Brian light the cigarette. It seemed too out of character for him, but I figured that him thinking about another coping mechanism wasn't too much of a stretch. I don't know if I could see Brian taking his drinking to the extreme that I mentioned, but I can definitely see him getting blasted (for fun) every once in a while. It's interesting that we both described Brian as "living in a bubble". I actually find it kind of sad that we see him that way; as isolated from everyone else. However, I agree that him and Nick do seem to be getting closer again in real life (that warms my heart like you would not believe!!). It seems as though my response has become almost as long as your review ... I better stop myself. :)

I loved the Brian and aj connection. Was so sweet. I do like your portrayal of Brian too. And I literally scream yay at the end.... But now I wonder. Where could he be... Where oh where? Lol. Great update, was worth the wait. Poor Howie.... Whenever someone writes about him fainting, I think about how the guys were talking about Howie passing out with his second child. Haha

Author's Response: I had forgotten all about the fact that Howie fainted with Holden. Too funny!! I'm glad that you're enjoying my portrayal of Brian. I had to mix him up a little bit. You will find out where Nick is very soon!

Hm so you did do it, you did make it not Nick. What the heck is going on? So curious. BTW loved Brian's mini-break down with him admitting all his faults and stuff.

Author's Response: Of course I did it!! I couldn't actually have it be Nick under the sheet!! LOL Perhaps now you will be able to forgive me?? ;)

I totally called it!! *happy dances around the room*. haha! So happy its NOT him but now to find out what happened to him and Lauren...dundunduuuuuuun!!!!

And, reading the previous reviews, I myself, have Nick's music note tattoo on my right ankle..lol It was the very first tattoo I ever got. I wanted something that said "I'm a BSB/Nick fan" but not SCREAM it out, yanno? And, I LOVE music, so. TADA!

Loved the chapter and love the interaction between Brian and AJ. It just seems so lifelike and I really do with Brian would do some of those things that you wrote. But again, GREAT chapter and can't wait for the next!

Author's Response: Yes, that now becomes the million dollar question: Where are Nick and Lauren?? I actually think that Nick's music note tattoo is quite nice. I think it was a good choice to show your appreciation for him/BSB, considering that nobody would understand the reference unless they were a BSB fan themselves. I'm too scared of needles to get a tattoo. I would probably pass out before they could even put a dot of ink on my skin. LOL. On a side note, I also wish that Brian would do some of the things that I mentioned in chapter. *sigh*

ohhh Please let Nick still be alive!! lol I love the interaction between Brian and AJ! Great job! Can't wait to find out more!

Author's Response: I'm loving the fact that so many people are clinging to the hope that Nick is still alive. Although, there's now a pretty good chance that he's still kicking around somewhere ... considering that it wasn't his body and all.