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A month later, Nick and Elisa were friends, at least. They’d gotten all of their issues out on the table, and now were actually enjoying each other’s company again.

“I still don’t understand why you chicks won’t tell me where we’re going,” Elisa grumbled.

Leighanne laughed. They had a wonderful night planned for Elisa.

“It’s a surprise,” she said.

They pulled up to the same club that the girls had put on their impromptu concert. Elisa narrowed her eyes.

“I’m still not in the best place to be shaking my groove thing,” she said, annoyed.
Both Rochelles were in the car, and her sister scoffed.

“Sure, and you weren’t dancing to ‘Miss America’ the other day. We’ll just pretend that didn’t happen,” she said in disdain.

“’Miss America’, huh? AJ has said some interesting things about that song,” the other Rochelle said.

Elisa’s eyes widened.

“You shut your mouth, madam!” she exclaimed in embarrassment.

“Whoa, I was kidding. Now I’m not sure I want to know.”

“Come on chickadees, out of the car. Frankie is waiting,” Kristin said.

As the girls walked in, Frankie rushed up to Elisa and hugged her tightly.

“I am so happy you’re alright. Shoulder healing up okay?”

“Yeah. It’s good. Happy to see you, Frankie,” she said, smiling at him.

“Okay, so they’re almost ready, give them a few minutes. Bar’s open,” Frankie said to the other girls.

____________________________________

Nick was nervous. This was going to be the night where he put it all out there. And, even though they ribbed him good about it, the guys were happy to help him out with this. They wanted Elisa and Nick back together, and were willing to do anything to make that happen.

“AJ, you have it?”

“It’s right here, new chain and all,” AJ said, holding the necklace that thad been Elisa’s Christmas gift the previous year.

“Well, can I have it?”

“Really Nick? I don’t think it’s your style,” AJ said, teasing him.

“Come on man,” Nick replied, grabbing it.

“I’m proud of you, man,” AJ said, hugging Nick tight.

“When you and AJ are done making out, we’ll be ready to go,” Kevin said, amused.

Gulping, Nick nodded.

“Let’s go get my girl, fellas,” he said, taking a deep breath.

_________________________________________

AJ walked out on stage and took a mike.

“Ladies, ladies, ladies. Thank you for this very special and obviously exclusive event.

“We’re going to give you ladies a private show. I hope that you enjoy it.” He said, winking at all of them.

“Seriously, guys?” Elisa asked.

“Oh don’t be like that, the last Backstreet Boys concert you went to was the day in Argentina. So relax and enjoy it,” Sister Rochelle said.

Elisa rolled her eyes, but she was a little excited. She loved these boys and their performances.

They performed “As Long As You Love Me” first, and Elisa loved it. The girls got up and began dancing, and, finally, Elisa was persuaded to as well.

The next song was “Trust Me”, from the In A World Like This CD.

After a few more songs, Nick took the mike.

“I know this is supposed to be a fun night, but there’s some serious stuff I want to say. Elisa, I’m so glad we’re back on good terms. Really. I messed up huge, and I wasn’t expecting things to be this good again. I wanted to sing these next couple of songs for you, if that’s okay?” he asked her.

Elisa nodded, and Brian handed him his guitar. Nick smiled at her. He began to sing a song she hadn’t heard until tonight, called “Don’t Walk Away”.


“There's no winners and there's no losin'
All we got is what we are one mistake and I got you breakin'
This time I think I've gone too far, baby
Tell me why we don't speak open your heart to me, love me tonight
Don't walk away, baby, you gotta hear me say, I'm sorry
You know I'm not afraid to say that it's me
Don't walk away, I'm sorry, I'm sorry
Why's it hard to, get inside you
Is it too late to make a start? You know I need you
Because I breathe you and with every breath I fall apart
Baby, tell me what's left of me
lf you’re not right next to me baby, I'd die
Don't walk away, baby, you gotta hear me say, I'm sorry
You know I'm not afraid to say that it's me
Don't walk away, I'm sorry
There's no reason to cry, when you're drowning yourself
In your tears tonight, part of me dies
And you know it's not right, yeah and you know it's not right
Don't walk away, baby, you gotta hear me say, I'm sorry
You know I'm not afraid to say that and stay
Don't walk away, baby, you gotta hear me say, I'm sorry
You know I'm not afraid to say that it's me
Don't walk away, I'm sorry, I'm sorry”



Elisa wiped a few tears away as did the other girls.

Sister Rochelle leaned over and said “Girl if you do not marry him I will.”

“Get your own,” Elisa whispered as Nick sat in front of her.

“Last song. I think you know this one.”

Nodding to Frankie, the music to “Just One Kiss” began.


“Just one, just one
Just one, just one
Don't turn away, don't close the door
I couldn't take it
We've got find out for sure
Before there's no turning back
If this is a start of the end of the road
I've gotta ask before you go
If I could have just one kiss
If that's all it is, I know that it's over
If I could have just one kiss
If there's something more, we could start over
If I could have just on kiss
Just one
If I could have just one kiss
Just one
I've been a fool just standing by
Watching it comes to this
But now I'm here to stand and fight
For all the promises
If this is a start of the end of the road
I wouldn't back, I'd let you go
If I could have just one kiss
If that's all it is, I know that it's over
If I could have just one kiss
If there's something more, we could start over
If I could have just one kiss
Just one
If I could have just one kiss
Just one
We don't have to find a way forward
We just have to find what we missed
So what if we look like we're crazy
For hanging it all on this
Don't turn away, don't close the door
If I could have just one kiss
If that's all it is, I know that it's over
If I could have just one kiss
If there's something more, we could start over
If I could have just one kiss
Just one
If I could have just one kiss”




Nick sat in front of her and waited.

Elisa smiled, and took his hand.

“Kiss me, you adorable dork,” she said.

Nick grinned, and pulled her in for a crushing kiss, to the cheers of everyone around them.

“You and me forever?” he asked as he put her necklace back around her neck.

“There’s no keeping me away,” Elisa said, kissing him tenderly.

__________________________________________________________

Nick carried Elisa into his house and up to his room.

“I’ve missed you so much,” he murmured against her lips, unbuttoning her blouse as she pulled off his shirt.

“Me too,” she whispered as he placed kisses on her neck.

He looked at her bullet wound and kissed it softly.

“I wish I could take that away, baby girl,” he said sadly.

“Don’t. It’s just another part of my story,” she said. “I have to get past it, and doing that means I have to accept it. Now less talking, more kissing,” Elisa said, pulling his lips to hers.

Nick laughed and kissed her lips.

“I love you so much,” he whispered as he pulled her skirt and panties off.

“I love you, too. With all of my heart,” Elisa whispered. “Now show me.”

And Nick did