*Two Weeks Later*
Brian and Shayla were in their room packing. They were leaving in the morning for London. They had some things to do in the studio there and a concert with Elton John, then it was off to Sweden for a while. The summer seemed to be flying by. The guys had spent the last 2 weeks putting some final touches on some of their new songs that they would be working on. They'd been busy almost every day and hadn't had much time for anything else.
They had put their plan "Operation Mandy" into action and so far it was going smoothly. Mandy had taken the bait and was dating Brent and believed that Brent and Nick had worked out their differences and that Nick was accepting them being together. Brent was leading her to believe that he didn't really like McKenzie all that much and Nick and McKenzie had staged a few fights to make her think they were having problems, and it was working. Mandy would think she was consoling Nick whenever something happened because he would pretend that he was confiding in Mandy about his feelings that things weren't working out with McKenzie. He hated doing it though.
Unfortunately Brent hadn't remembered anything new and so far they hadn't gotten any sense from Mandy that she might tell them she did anything on purpose and now Nick was going to be gone for almost a month. It was going to be Brent's job to try and get it out of her while they were gone. McKenzie wanted it over with by the time they got back. It was really beginning to put some strain on her and she was glad they were getting away for a while so they could be together without having to pretend they weren't getting along.
Jen and Kevin were seeing each other on a regular basis. He seemed to have gotten over Kristin, who completely stopped speaking to him once some photos surfaced of Kevin and Jen from that day at the bowling alley and another time out at a club. Until then she really didn't believe Kevin was serious about their breakup being for good this time and had figured they'd end up getting back together like they always did.
Jen was coming to London the day before the Elton John concert and was going to stay for a week then had to get back to work. She was going to take another week off though later and come to Sweden while they were there.
The big news over the last two weeks had been Kimmy. Mindi, the sax and percussion player for the Backstreet Band had informed them that she wouldn't be playing with them on the next tour because she was too busy with her own solo career now. After another night out at a club listening to Kimmy and her band play, the guys had unanimously agreed the she should take Mindi's place which she had been more than happy to accept. Everyone was a little nervous about what might happen if she and AJ didn't work out but they said they felt they could be friends even if they didn't stay together. AJ was seeing only Kimmy, it's just that they all knew how AJ was and his reputation made it hard to think that he wouldn't start seeing other girls. Shayla and Kimmy got along great and were constantly doing things together. Kimmy was coming with them for a while too while they were traveling.
And of course Hallie who had been dating Howie for a while now was coming for a while but she had to come back a couple of times for work. She would be in London in time for the concert.
"Hey were leaving," McKenzie said coming into Shayla's room. She and Nick were going out one last time before they left. The plan was to accidentally run into Brent and Mandy at the club. But tonight they were changing their strategy somewhat. Tonight they were going to be all over each other and getting along. Hopefully making Mandy mad and jealous enough to let something about the accident slip out to either Brent or Nick. McKenzie had come up with the idea and was looking forward to it.
"Alright, you guys be careful," Shayla said hugging her.
"We will, see ya in the morning," McKenzie said. "Bye Bri."
"Bye McKenzie, have fun sweetheart," Brian said.
"Oh I plan to," she said on her way down the stairs.
Brian and Shayla finished packing and went over to AJ's to watch movies with him and Kimmy before coming back to go to bed early because they had an early flight.
*The Next Morning*
"Nick! McKenzie! Come on we gotta go," Brian yelled up the stairs. Nick and McKenzie had stayed out too late and drank a little too much and now they were running behind. Brian picked up his and Shayla's last suitcase and took it out to the car shaking his head about Nick and McKenzie.
"Ok, we're ready, we're ready," Nick said bounding down the stairs with about 3 suitcases in his arms. McKenzie trudged along behind him with 2 more.
"God, I feel like shit," McKenzie said. "I hope I don't get sick on the plane."
"Shut up!" Nick and Shayla yelled together. They both had a horrible fear of flying and didn't want anyone to even say the word airplane.
"Sor-ry," McKenzie said jumping back.
"I don't want to think about it until I have to," Shayla said. Nick nodded in agreement and took their suitcases out to the car.
"Ok, let's go. Do you guys have the tickets and everything?" McKenzie asked.
"Yep, Brian's got them. Let me say bye, bye to the babies," Shayla said in a cute little babyish voice as she pet the dogs one last time. "You guys be good for grandma Denise, she'll be here in a little while to pick you up and take you to her house to play with Panda and Bear ok," Shayla said not wanting to leave them. They were staying with AJ's dogs at his moms since they couldn't go to the Carter's because Jane was with Aaron and Leslie on tour.
"Oh I'm sure that Denise would love that grandma part," McKenzie laughed.
"Let's go you two," Brian hollered coming into the kitchen after them. "Come on baby, they'll be fine," he said tearing Shayla away from the dogs. "Bye guys, have fun," he said to them in a little voice petting them again.
"Oh you two are pathetic," McKenzie groaned. "They're dogs, not kids. I mean, I love them and all but come on."
Brian and Shayla looked at each other. Tyk, Taco and Belle were like kids to them. "Kill her," they both said and Brian grabbed McKenzie and began giving her noogies all the way out the door.
"Owww, owww, owww, damnit Brian, my head hurts, stop it!" McKenzie yelled the whole way.
They finally piled in the car and were on their way to the airport. "Did you remember all your film and everything you need for your camera baby?" Brian asked as they drove.
"Yes honey, you already asked me that like five times," Shayla said.
"I'm just making sure," Brian said as Nick's mouth moved mocking him from the backseat used to this ritual. McKenzie giggled and settled her head against his shoulder trying to sleep again.
"You got your tranquilizers? Don't wanna forget those. I don't want you clawing my skin to death," Brian asked teasing her.
"Yes," Shayla answered becoming impatient with his questions.
"You have tranquilizers?!" Nick shouted. "Give me some," he said jumping up against the front seat eagerly and knocking McKenzie off of him. "Please Shayla, I'm terrified of flying and it's such a long flight."
"Oh god," Brian sighed.
"I don't know," Shayla said. "You on valium? I don't wanna be responsible for what you might do. I've seen how you get when you get drunk remember."
"Shayla come on," he begged. "You know how it feels to be afraid to fly or you wouldn't take them."
"Yes, but I've taken them before when I fly, I know how they'll affect me. Have you ever taken anything like that before?" Shayla asked.
"Well I had some pain killers that time when I hurt my knee," Nick said.
"Yeah I remember that was quite an experience," Brian said. "Superman here thought he could fly and dove off the bed and onto a table crashing through it in a hotel room," Brian said laughing as he remembered the site. Shayla gave him a look like no way then.
"That was different. I was younger and AJ gave me too much on purpose cuz he wanted to make me do something stupid," Nick whined. "He told me I could fly."
"Well, that's true," Brian said. "It would keep him from driving us crazy and he'll go to sleep maybe."
"I'll think about it," Shayla said. She looked at Nick's pleading eyes. "Oh alright. I'll give you some before we get on the plane."
"Thank you, thank you, thank you," Nick said kissing her cheek over and over.
"Ok, here we are," Brian said as he parked the car and popped the trunk. "Everybody grab some suitcases we're running late and here comes the shuttle."
They grabbed their bags and jumped on the shuttle to get to the airport. They checked their bags and grabbed their carryons and ran through the airport to the gate. Kevin was shaking his head at them when they got there out of breath.
"Sorry," they all said.
"Relax guys, the flights been delayed an hour," Kevin said.
"Oh ok then," Brian said. "I'm gonna get some magazines and stuff."
"Oh will you get me a few sweetie?" Shayla asked.
"Sure," Brian said giving her a kiss. "Be back in a few minutes."
"Hey guys," Shayla said sitting next to AJ and Kimmy and nervously playing with her hands, the fear setting in.
AJ put his arm around her and squeezed her tight. "Relax sweetheart. It's all gonna be ok. We're gonna have fun on the flight."
"I plan on being asleep thank you very much," Shayla said showing them her bottle of pills.
AJ laughed. "What are you gonna do when something goes wrong and you're too out of it to save yourself?" he asked.
"Not funny AJ," Shayla said giving him a pinch in the arm.
About ten minutes before they boarded the plane and they were sure the flight wasn't gonna be delayed again, Shayla took a pill and gave one to Nick, so it would have them relaxed by the time they took off.
Brian and Shayla sat together leaving the window seat open because Brian was afraid of heights, Nick and McKenzie sat across the aisle from them, AJ and Kimmy were behind them and Howie and Kevin behind Nick and McKenzie.
"I can't believe you gave Nicky Nick one of those pills," AJ said from behind Brian and Shayla. Nick was beginning to act a little giddy. "Don't you remember what happened when he took that pain medication B-Rok?"
Shayla turned around heavy eyed to talk to AJ. He chuckled upon seeing her eyes. "I heard about that. How could you do that AJ? You could've hurt him you know?"
"Hey, the bottle said take one or two pills. I figured one would probably do it, but two would be more fun," AJ said grinning and proud of himself.
"It was pretty funny," Brian said laughing. He looked at Shayla. "You're gonna be out in five seconds," he laughed.
"I hope so," Shayla said putting her head on Brian's shoulder. He patted her leg and left his hand there caressing her thigh.
"Here we go," Kevin said as the plane began to rumble and pick up speed.
"Oh god, I hate this," Shayla groaned squeezing Brian's arm.
"Weeeeeeeeee," giggled Nick.
Shayla and Brian looked over at him. He was wide eyed and glassy eyed and pretending to fly the plane. Everyone else saw him then looked at Shayla.
"Oh no," AJ said. "Here we go again." AJ got out his video camera and began taping Nick. "I'll use this as blackmail someday I'm sure," he said.
"Ooops," Shayla said realizing it was a mistake to give him that valium. Within a few more seconds she was asleep.
"Nick knock it off. Try and go to sleep," McKenzie said. "You'll feel better if you try to rest."
"I don't need to feel better. I feel great right now," Nick told her in a squeaky voice.
"Great, thanks Shayla," McKenzie said looking over to find Shayla asleep. "Oh great, she sleeps through it."
Nick put his arms around McKenze and was pawing all over her and kissing her neck. "Wanna join the mile high club sweetie?" he asked laughing hysterically.
Everyone laughed at him except for McKenzie. "Nick quit it," she said trying to push him off of her. "I am not having sex in the plane's bathroom."
"Who said anything about the bathroom? We can do it right here, these seats recline," Nick said pulling the lever on his seat. His seat went flying backwards against Howie.
"Nick!" yelled Howie.
"Whoa, that was a little fast," Nick said. "Oh hey Howie," he giggled trying to reach Howie with his hands. Kimmy and AJ were laughing their butts off at Nick.
"Nick cut it out and sit up. The seat belt sign is still on and we're still in take off so your seat has to be up," Howie said.
Just as Nick put his seat back up the seat belt light went off and the plane steadied off. Nick flung his seat back again and pulled on McKenzie who had taken her seat belt off. He pulled her right on top of him.
"Come on baby, I'm horny," Nick laughed in a high pitch squeal. Everyone was cracking up, luckily they were the only ones in first class.
"Nick let me go, stop it," McKenzie said but he wouldn't let her go and was trying to take her shirt off.
"Nick! Stop it. You're not taking her shirt off!" Kevin yelled standing up and helping McKenzie free herself from his grasp. Howie couldn't move because Nick was in his lap.
"Ok I'll take mine off then," Nick said . He started to lift his shirt off and just suddenly passed out.
"Oh thank you god," McKenzie sighed. They all looked at him and laughed. They looked at Shayla who had slept through the whole thing.
"Hey I know how we can get back at Shayla for giving him that medicine and get back at Nick for acting that way," Brian said with a mischievous grin as he took out his pen and held it up.
"What are you talking about?" Kevin asked.
"Remember that episode of 'Friends' where Ross and Rachel were going to Vegas and while she sleeps he drew a mustache and stuff on her face?" Brian laughed.
"Oh man, she will kill you," AJ said. "But let's do it anyway."
"Just make sure they know about it to wash it off before we land in case there's photographers waiting at the airport," Kevin said.
"Aw man, it would be funnier if they got off the plane like that," AJ said. "They'd be wondering why people were staring at them and shit," AJ and Brian were laughing. Brian began to draw on Shayla's face and AJ got up and drew on Nick. Kimmy filmed them drawing on their faces. McKenzie was laughing her ass off at AJ. So were Howie and Kimmy. Kevin just sat back to go to sleep. He looked up once to see them and shook his head and closed his eyes again.
"She's gonna kill ya buddy," Kevin said to Brian and fell asleep.
*Four Hours Later*
Brian noticed Shayla stir next to him. He kissed her nose and she opened her eyes slowly.
"It's alive," Howie said as Nick began to wake up.
"Well I certainly hope you're done acting like you belong in Motley Crue instead of the Backstreet Boys," McKenzie told Nick.
"Huh?" Nick asked confused. He had no clue what he'd done.
"You tried to molest your girlfriend right here in the middle of first class," Kevin said not looking up from his magazine so he wouldn't laugh.
"Hey honey, you gonna stay awake for a while?" Brian asked Shayla.
"I don't know, how much longer do we have on this flying death mobile," Shayla said.
Brian was trying not to laugh as she looked at him. "About 7 more hours," he said.
"What?! Oh I hate this," Shayla said.
"Baby, did I really do that?" Nick asked McKenzie.
"Oh yeah," Howie said sarcastically.
"You were totally out of control. You're not getting anymore of those pills," McKenzie told him.
"What are you guys talking about? I don't remember anything like that. I wouldn't do that," Nick said unsure of himself. He turned to Brian. "Bri did I really do that?"
Shayla started to look at Nick and Brian quickly grabbed her and pulled her in for a long kiss startling her so she wouldn't see Nick's face. AJ chuckled as he taped them. "What was that for?" Shayla asked confused.
"I just wanted to kiss you. Something wrong with that?" Brian asked.
"No, no I guess not," Shayla told him.
"I got it all on tape Nick, I'll show it to ya later. Hey everybody, wave to the camera," AJ said.
Everyone waved and said hi to AJ. Nick and Shayla still had no clue. "Ok everyone say, we're on our way to London," AJ said.
They all said "We're on our way to London," cheerfully. "Ok now everyone sing, 'Don't Worry, Be Happy'," AJ said trying not to lose it and laugh.
"What?" they all asked, but then sang it anyway. The whole point was to make Nick and Shayla look silly.
"Ok, Shayla and Nick, I can hardly see you guys. You two lean into the aisle and put your heads together and say cheese," AJ said.
Without looking at each other, Nick and Shayla leaned in so their heads were touching and their arms around each other and said cheese and smiled at AJ. Everyone was cracking up at them not knowing what they looked like.
"Ok look at each other and make a funny face at each other," AJ said.
Nick and Shayla looked at each other and started making faces. They'd done it two times when they each noticed the other had ink all over their face. They looked at each other strangely and pointed to one another. Everybody burst into laughter.
"Somebody's gonna get it," Kevin sang softly to Brian.
"You have ink all over your face," they said to each other at the same time.
"Oh shit!" they each said jumping up and running for the bathroom. AJ ran after them to catch their reactions on video.
"AAAHHHH!" they screamed. "Brian!" Shayla yelled. "AJ!" Nick yelled. They came storming back wiping their faces with wet paper towels. Everyone was practically rolling in the aisles laughing at them.
"I'm gonna kill you," Shayla and Nick both yelled at Brian and AJ.