I almost hated this chapter at first because there's no Brian... but then I was reminded of why Baylee is right, and Meg is amazing. I think this chapter was in fact best for showing just how far Meg's relationship with Baylee has come, as his stepmom, so it was actually best that Brian not be there when he has had to act as mediator, I presume.
But my favourite line is Kevin's: "You got us the old Brian back", and I would have to agree. :)

Author's Response: :) There is going to be more backstory to Meg's relationship with her new stepson. Keep reading. :) Thanks for your faithful reviewing!

Hi, I just wanted to re-review (I think I might have reviewed before the site rollback and before RL got in the way of my reading). I can't believe the general lack of reviews, but I want you to know that I have greatly enjoyed your story so far and think that it's excellent. I so appreciate the care you put into characterization and also the development of our wonderful protagonist, Meg. I like that you never get into overly sappy territory and that there are always situations that could conceivably happen if this were some AU version of reality.
The inner monologues are some of my favourite parts, such as Meg's understatedly hilarious thought "I couldn’t imagine needing anything more than I needed him, at this moment, to kiss my forehead and reassure me that she was Voldemort and I was winning." Oh, yes.
I feel as though where you've left the story right now is the first real cliffhanger of this series, and I hope you will continue! I'm glad that there is supposed to be some kind of (more than internal) conflict, since that was what made the Boys on the Bus so great, and I think this sequel has a lot of potential in that direction as well. It's a bit different since we supposedly know how it will "end", but the "in between" part is so much more interesting to me. In particular, I hope you write the rest of the weekend visit begun in this chapter and that perhaps it will lead to the some of the plot developments that you have hinted at. :)
It would be fun if we get to see Alicia and some of the other Boys again at some point, especially if there are difficulties that need working out (they were so instrumental in helping with that the last time...).
So, all the best, and please keep writing. I, for one, will certainly review!

"Who were these people? What had they done with us?" Spot on. ;)
Well, I realize this conversation was motivated by emotions and crazy surgery aftermath, but I think Brian is going to have quite a time finding his "sweet girl" for the next while...
I'm glad that Meg can give as good as she gets, since Brian isn't being quite the southern gentleman at the moment, either. I do wonder how seriously Brian will take that last instruction. ;) It will be interesting to see who caves first.. I am glad that he knows what happened, though. Sometimes a healthy, if painful and uncomfortable, dose of honesty does the most good, and I truly believe it will be so in the long run here.
Can't wait to read what you have planned for them next!

Yay! Good thing it's not over. ;) All the same, I'm glad that you made them take a bit of time to reconcile and express what each of them wants. Hurray for moving in and impending domestic life. But do we get a bit of London adventuring? Or a boys-on-the-bus style dinner with the guys, at least. Meg's dynamic with the whole group is really so much fun! Or alone-time with Brian... that would work, too. ;)
Very much looking forward to the next chapter!

Hi, I just want to encourage you to keep going with this story! I've been reading it on and off, but this chapter has convinced me that I should read and review regularly. At first I thought the premise was kind of weak (Nick and his secret fanfic addiction), if rather intriguing and almost believable. But now I appreciate the way that you've tied it together with the attempt on Howie's life and begun to develop characters' relationships more during breaks in the action such as this one. I would definitely enjoy more moments like this one between Brian and Nick that could explore and even test their newly re-established friendship. Brian's probable sleeping pill dependency, his issues with Leighanne and Nick's own compulive reading habit should provide ample fodder!
Nick's internal monologues in this chapter really nicely convey his attitudes, mood and character. It also made me wish that the fight/resolution scenes you described could beccome more like flashbacks at strategic moments in the story.
Cheers and please write more soon.

Author's Response: I was so excited when I logged on and saw a review from you this morning. You gave me great feedback on my other story last summer. I like the fact that you give excellent con-crit and make me think about what I've written. I know that this story took a while to get going, and I'm pleased that you stuck with it. It took me a little bit of time to set the stage and to tie Nick's fan fiction addition to the incident with Howie. Now that I've done that I will definitely be exploring more of the relationship between Nick and Brian as well as between the other guys. The whole Frick and Frack breakup and reconciliation will likely be more of a focus above the other guys, and I hope that doesn't drive some people away. I will have to wait and see. Thanks again for taking the time to leave such great comments. :)

Hi, I just wanted to let you know how much I like this story. It's great that you're addressing actual issues and extrapolating from what we know from the documentary and other interviews to weave the plot.. like tying up all of the hints and glimpses we have gotten over the past few years. Your characterization seems great and I like your focus on Brian's pov! I think thinks must have been this traumatic for him in RL. I wonder what you'll incorporate next... his tea deliveries to Nick, maybe? Looking forward to the next update and thanks!

Author's Response: That's exactly my intention XD I'm very glad you like it. I try to stay as close to original events as possible to try and find out how this whole thing might have affected him and the other members.

Hey, I just wanted to let you know that I'm really glad you're continuing with this story recently. It's great that you've taken on the challenge of this recent (and ongoing) subject matter of Brian's voice. I'm enjoying seeing the speculative back-story on the various performances and events that we know of or could guess probably occurred; seeing it all woven into one storyline is really satisfying. Of course, it's good to know that this is your own take on things, so just about anything could happen behind the scenes... Looking forward to learning more about the foreshadowed events / Kevin's realization. I hope we get some more chapters from Brians pov since he's so hard to get through to at this point. Great job and keep writing!

Author's Response: Love hearing that you still enjoy the story. Yeah, I do think I've added enough additional drama to make it more fictional, otherwise it might get boring (or maybe not, who knows what really goes on there anyway?) I try to take the most realistic route, but it tends to overdramatize a little as it gets further into the story.

Wow, I can totally see this happening, especially with the hints earlier and the downward spiral Brian seems to be on. At the same time, it's almost a let-down as far as its impact goes--Howie is shocked, but then sits downs and tries to reason with Brian (which I think is spot-on). I think Brian benefits momentarily from knowing that the bandmate who might be the least close to him doesn't want him to quit. But at the end, we see that only a couple things have really gotten through to him, despite Howie's concern.
I hope he gets that hand looked at...
On to the next chapter I go. ;)

Author's Response: Thanks for the feedback ^^ I really needed to pick someone who would be able to stay calm when Brian obviously wasn't. Howie is the man for that, in my opinion. At this stage it's almost impossible to get through to him, I'm afraid.