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Author's Chapter Notes:

So, here is the update I promised I'd post in a few days! :D

“Your vitals all checked out to be normal.” a young nurse spoke out in a British accent as she removed the BPR cuff from Howie’s bicep. “You just appear to be a bit on the dehydrated side as expected, so I’m going to hook you up to an IV, have a bag pump some lovely nutrients into your body, get you hydrated, then you should be good to go once the bag is empty.”

Howie simply nodded as he watched the nurse lay out and prepare the tools needed to hook him up to an IV. “My friend doesn’t like needles.” he suddenly said, thinking of AJ as he eyed the packaged needle.

The nurse looked up at him, “Really? Which friend?”

“The one that was wheeled back… he’s the one that’s covered in tattoos, can’t miss him.”

“Ahh, the one covered in tattoos?” she repeated with a chuckle, “I find that extremely hard to believe.”

Howie now watched as she grabbed and ripped a small square package, taking out a folded alcohol towelette and began to wipe and sterilize the back of his left hand. “We all did. We could never understand how he’ll sit there and get all these tattoos, but can’t take a small, quick pinch of a needle shot.”

“You’re not uneasy with needles are you?” she asked, flashing a flirtatious smirk as she grabbed the packaged needle, ripping it open. “If you want, I can numb the site before I stick the needle in.”

Howie chuckled, “Oh no, I’m perfectly fine with needles, just… seeing it made me think of him is all.”

“Oh. Well, if you don’t cry, I’ll give you a lollipop when it’s all done.” she joked as she placed the needle at the back of his hand. “You’re gonna feel a slight quick pinch in three, two, one.” she inserted the needle and fed the catheter through the punctured opening as well. “Looks like you’ll be getting that lollipop.” she smiled as she began to secure the IV tubing to the back of his hand.

“Thank you.” Howie laughed as he rose up from his seat. “Would I be able to go back there now?”

She nodded, “I’ll take you back there as soon as I clean this all up.” she replied as she hung up the solution bag on the IV stand. She quickly gathered up her mess and walked off to properly dispose it. When she came back, she walked up to the two double doors and hit a button on the wall next to it. “Come on back.” she said as she stepped to the side, allowing Howie to walk through.

Howie grabbed his IV stand and wheeled it in with him through the double doors, walking behind the nurse as she led him to where the others would be. He sighed, thanking God that they were all here, safe and alive. He couldn’t believe how sudden their vacation turned into a drastic hostage and standoff situation, but he was thankful it hadn’t gone on as long as it could have. Thanks to the two youngest, they were saved.

“Right through this door.” the nurse said, breaking Howie out of his thoughts. “I’ll be back to check on the bag.”

“Thank you.” Howie bid with a smile as he pushed the door open to room A208. He was greeted by the sight of both Nick and AJ laying in two separate hospital beds placed directly across from each other, and Brian seated in a chair in between them.

“Oh thank god you’re here!” Brian exclaimed in a light exasperated tone. “These two should be resting, doctors orders, yet they won’t shutup about how they saved the day!”

“Because we did!” AJ voiced, sounding much like a little kid bickering back and forth with another kid. “I bet you guys were thinking, ‘oh, our fate lies in the hands of Nick and AJ, they’re gonna fuck everything up!’ Well, thanks to us, we saved the motherfucking day!”

Howie glanced back at Brian and smiled. Brian simply shook his head, “They’re never gonna let us live this down.” he muttered as he began to rub his temples.

“Well, they do have a point Bri,” Howie stated sympathetically as he walked over and sat down in a chair across from Brian, “let them live it up.”

“Yeah, let us live it up Rok!” Nick cackled, “I wonder if Obama will be the one to give us our medals of honor…”

Both Howie and Brian exchanged looks, “Who told you guys that you would be receiving a medal of honor?”

“Isn’t that the stuff they give you when you do something courageous and for your bravery, when you risk your life for others or something like that? Because I ain’t about formalities when it comes to receiving something that big from the President… I want an all out bash on his front lawn, and I want fucking Lou’s fatass to be there, along with those people of Jive that thought we weren’t shit, Paris’ dumbass, and ooh, I guess my mom and dad can be there too…”

“Nick, the only people eligible to receive a medal of honor is military personnel…” Brian interjected, his eyes closed as he continued to massage his temples. “Please tell me that you knew that and you didn’t actually think you’d be getting a medal of honor.”

“… are you serious?”

Brian remained silent, not bothering to look at his best friend, while Howie just looked away, trying hard not to bust out laughing. Nick glanced over at AJ for help, to which AJ just shook his head and held his hands up, laughing, “You were on your own with that one Nick! Even I knew that medals of honor were only given to people in the military.”

Nick looked crushed, “We’re not gonna get anything at all for what we did?”

The room fell silent. Laughter soon bubbled out from everyone… everyone except Nick, who still had a look of disappointment on his face. The kid was seriously set on receiving a reward for the heroic actions he and AJ performed to save the lives of his other band mates.

“Nick…” Brian tried to get out between his laughter, “if it makes you feel any better, I’ll have a medal of honor made just for you… and maybe I can ask Kevin to present it to you.” that caused them all to laugh even harder.

Nick pretended to pout, but eventually gave in to the infectious laughter that surrounded him. “Fuck you guys! I ain’t gonna save your asses anymore!”

Brian finally brought his laughter to a cease, “No, but on the real Frack… we’re very thankful for all that you and Jay have done.” he said in a serious tone. “I mean damn, if it weren’t for you two… I wouldn’t be sitting here.”

Nick smiled, not wanting to think of how close they actually were to losing his best friend. Having his little “blonde moment” and hearing his brothers laugh at his expense was truly something he needed… something they all needed. It did help to take their minds off the dramatic, and almost deadly situation they were faced with hours ago. He reached his hand out towards Brian, “But you are here. And there’s no need to thank me, you’re all my brothers… I did what any one of you guys would have done for me.”

Brian grasped Nick’s hand and smiled. AJ took that moment to raise his hand, “Um, Nick? You might want to take me out of that grouping of us guys doing the same for you in return, because uh… I value my life way too much!”

Nick rolled his eyes, “You mean to tell me that you were fine to risk your life to save Brian, but if it were me, you wouldn’t have done it? Thanks a lot bro!”

“Thanks for killing the mood AJ!” Brian chuckled.

“Hey, I was just killing the mood to keep you two from the path of gayness ya’ll were trotting on, but if you guys want to continue on the Bromantic Brick Road, then by all means hold hands and continue on while Howie and I throw rice at you newlyweds.” AJ caught the pillow Nick chucked at him. “You know I’m just kidding Nick… I risked my life for one Backstreet Boy, I think I can risk my life three more times, it’ll be fun.”

Brian pointed at Nick, “Frack, I can believe you saving the day… but AJ? He’s the drama queen of the group! If it’s an activity that’ll result in him chipping one of his precious manicured nails, he won’t do it!”

“I will too thank you very much! Just… whoever I save, they better be ready to rush me to the nearest nail salon after because they WILL be paying for my manicure! Come to think of it… Nick, I totally take back what I said earlier. I would totally risk my life and save you dude!”

“What ever changed your mind?” Howie asked sarcastically.

“To save the blonde heartthrob of the group, I’d be more than a National fucking hero! Do you know how much ASS I would get afterwards… just for saving Nick?”

“Oh god!” the remaining three groaned out.

A sudden knock on the door immediately brought their laughter to a cease. “Hope I’m not breaking up the party here.” Dr. Rummel voiced out as he peered in through the cracked door.

“Of course not doctor, c’mon in.”

Dr. Rummel pushed the door open and walked in, “I was able to get some information on Mr. Richardson. He’s still in surgery, but the surgeon informed me that the operation is going well, he’s okay and will recover just fine.”

Upon hearing that, they all seemed to release an audible sigh, glad to know that their eldest brother would pull through just fine. Though it was a very scary situation, they had no doubt in their minds that Kevin would pull through… this is Kevin they’re talking about. “Now, as for Mr. Carter and Mr. McLean…” Dr. Rummel continued, “we’ll be keeping the two of you overnight to further assess the head injuries you have sustained. Nothing to worry about, just more so precautionary measures before we release you.”

“What about them?” Nick asked, gesturing towards Brian and Howie.

“Well, they’re good to go once those IV bags are done. If you guys want, I’m sure we could accommodate you two to stay the night here as well… set up a room or something. Let me go check on that and I’ll get back to you guys.” and with that, he walked out.

Brian sighed once more, “It’s a relief to know that cousin Kev will be on the mend.” He tried his hardest not to think back to the moment when he watched as his eldest cousin was shot by one of their captors. The fear that immediately bubbled up within him at the sight of a red sea spreading across Kevin’s chest like a wildfire is something he definitely does not want to relive. He pushed back his tears, as well as those thoughts, not wanting to let his emotion get the best of him in front of the others. “He’s gonna be okay.”

“Of course he is, this is Kevin we’re talking about!” Nick voiced. He could clearly see his best friend seemingly battling with the thoughts of almost losing his own blood relative. He eats bullets for a meal, and shits out gun powder.”

“Why does that sound like a Chuck Norris fact?” Howie snickered.

“Because it was. You guys should try reading Chuck Norris facts, but replace Chuck’s name with Kevin’s, it’s fucking hilarious!”

As the three began to delve into a deeper conversation of Chuck Norris facts and how strong Kevin is, AJ remained silent. He couldn’t help than to be plagued by the words their tormentor had said to him… this was your fault, do you remember? He received the bullet that was meant for you.

He closed his eyes as the memory flooded his mind… the memory of him getting ready to run out the door after Nick, and immediately stopped in his tracks upon hearing James’ voice and seeing him reenter the room. Everything had been set into slow motion from there as James rose the gun and fingered the trigger, preparing to shoot him. Kevin had lunged at the man and struggled with and the gun.

“GO!” he clearly heard Kevin’s voice yell out, as if he were right there in the room with them.

Instead of running out the door, he had ran up the flight of stairs and into his room to grab his cell phone. As soon as he reached the top of the stairs, that’s when he heard it… the unforgettable sound of a gunshot ringing out. He immediately turned around, ready to run back down the flight of stairs and make sure that all his brothers were okay, but he knew if he had done that, Kevin would have fought and struggled with their captor on his behalf for nothing.

As painful as it was, he had to keep going, and literally had to force his body to do just that. He knew that he had to get out of there and get help… their lives depended on both he and Nick. But shit, if only he had stayed… maybe Kevin getting shot could’ve been avoided? Maybe if he had just sat down as soon as James came back in the room, he wouldn’t be sitting here with the knowledge that Kevin took a bullet for him. Nick could have easily gone out there and got help by himself… if he had just stayed and listened, Kevin wouldn’t be in emergency surgery right now, having a lodged bullet be removed.

“Hey man, you okay?”

AJ snapped out of his thoughts and glanced over at Howie, who was staring at him in concern. “Yeah, sorry… just phased out.”

Howie gave an unsure nod in return and hesitantly focused his attention back on Nick and Brian, who were still talking. He knew AJ better than that... something weighed heavily on the rebel's mind, but he knew better than to push his best friend for answers right now. He would check on him again later. 

AJ tried his best to delve himself in the conversation the other three were in, tried to get his mind to not think of the negatives and dwell within the past, but try as he might, he couldn’t get the sound of the gunshot and the image of Kevin baring the wound out of his head.

The man was right… this was all his fault.

Chapter End Notes:

Unfortunately people, we're coming to an end with this story. I know, I know... this story was rather... short! I'm looking at the amount of chapters and just thinking how short this story seemed and how fast it kinda all happened.

I didn't actually intend to write the boys' being held captive for a long time... I mean, only so much can happen during that period of time of the boys being held hostage, and I honestly don't think I could have wrote it well and would have been able to pull it off, lol. Sad, but true.

I'm looking to wrap this story up in the next three chapters or so, but not to worry... I'm looking to make a sequel to this story! I promised you guys' a twist with this story, and I shall soon deliver just that! Whether you guys get it or not, well... we'll see what happens when we come to that point! ;)

Just want to take this time to THANK all those who have taken the time to read this story and review it of course! I was honestly surprised with how much positive feedback I got with this story, and I truly appreciate all the encouragement and inspiration I have received from everyone, so thank you! As always, feedback is welcomed, appreciated and loved! :)