"Here's your room," AJ said when the group had reached the hotel. He opened the door and let VJ, BJ, and Alisha in first. Him and Kevin came in with the bags. The girls looked around the hotel suite in awe.

"This is where we're staying?" Alisha asked.

"Yup. Our rooms are on the next floor up," AJ said.

"Why don't you girls get settled in and we'll send down Nick and Howie," Kevin said. "They've been waiting to see you."

"That's fine with us," VJ said. AJ and Kevin gave them hugs and went to the next floor to get Nick and Howie.

"Okay. Who wants which room?" BJ asked.

"I claim the one with the balconey," Alisha said.

"Go ahead," VJ said. "I want the one over by the kitchenette. That way I don't have to walk far to get something to eat."

"I guess I'll take the one closest to the bathroom," BJ said.

All three girls picked up their bags and went to their rooms to get unpacked and freshen up before Nick and Howie showed up.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Kevin and AJ found Nick and Brian in their room playing video games.

"Hey, guys. Whatcha doin'?" AJ asked.

"Beating Nick at almost every game we've played," Brian boasted.

"You wish, B-Rok," Nick protested. "I think it's been me winning almost every game."

"Keep telling yourself that and maybe you'll believe it," Brian told him.

"Hey, Nick, I need to show you something," AJ said.

"What is it?"

"You'll know when you see it," AJ hinted.

Nick finally caught on. "Oh, okay. Here, Kevin, play for me."

Kevin took the controller from Nick and started playing. Nick and AJ walked over to Howie's room. They walked through the door without knocking.

"Hey, Howie," Nick said, loudly. "Let's go see something."

"Just tell me what it is, then I don't have to go see it," Howie said. He'd been sleeping and he didn't want to get up.

"I think you'll want to see this," AJ said.

"Did they get here?" Howie asked, now wide awake.

"Yes, they're here, on the floor below ours, waiting to see you and Nick," AJ told him.

"Alright. Let's go," Howie said, getting off the bed. He check his appearance in the mirror for a second then followed AJ and Nick to the elevator.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

VJ and BJ were sitting on one of the couches, watching some show on TV. Alisha was still in her room, trying to decide what to change into when there was a knock on the door.

VJ walked over to answer it. There she saw Nick, Howie, and AJ. They all smiled when they saw her. Nick stepped forward and gave VJ a hug.

"Hey, VJ," Nick said. "It's good to see you."

"Ney, Nick," VJ said, hugging him back. "It's good to see you, too."

"How's it goin', VJ?" Howie asked, also giving her a hug.

"It's going okay, I guess," she answered. "Come on in."

VJ stepped aside to let them enter. "Hey, Ali!" she yelled out. "Nick and Howie are here!"

"I'll be right there!!" Alisha yelled back.

A few minutes later, Alisha walked out. Nick's and Howie's mouths dropped open when they saw her. Howie couldn't believe how much VJ's cousin looked like her, but for Nick, it was more how gorgeous he thought he thought she was.

"Nick, Howie, I'd like you to meet my cousin, Alisha Walker," VJ said. "Ali, these are two of Brian's friends, Nick Carter and Howie Dorough."

"Hey, guys," Alisha said as she walked over to them. "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you, too," Howie said as he shook her hand.

"Yeah, very nice," Nick said. He smiled at Alisha and she smiled back.

"Come on, everybody," BJ said from the couch. "Come over and sit with me."

Nick and Howie hugged BJ when they got to the couches. AJ was already there, sitting right next to her. Everybody sat down. Nick quickly took a seat next to Alisha.

"So what have you guys been up to?" VJ asked.

"Nothing much," Howie answered. "Just putting on shows, making TV appearances, radio appearances, doing magazine interviews and photo shoots...."

"Damn, you guys do a lot," Alisha said in amazement.

"It a lot of work, but we know we have to do it if we want to continue to be successful here," Nick said. "And we love performing. We like seeing our fans reactions when they see a show. It's the most rewarding thing we could ever get."

"Defintitely," Howie agreed. "Without our fans, we wouldn't be where we are today."

"You know, I was surprised nobody came up to us at the airport," AJ said. "Usually, someone recognizes us whenever we're out in public."

"For real?" Alisha asked.

"Yeah. They ask for autographs, a hug, or something."

"That's cool," BJ said. "Have you guys ever been in a scary situation with the fans before?"

"Yeah, there have been some times when the fans would get a little out of control, but we've managed to keep from getting hurt so far."

"Hey, we better get going," Howie said. "Or Brian might wonder what's taking so long."

'Damn,' Nick thought. 'I don't want to go.' He looked at Alisha. She seemed like she was pretty cool. He wanted to get to know her better. But he knew Howie was right and got up off the couch and followed him to the door.

"You all know the plan for tomorrow right?" AJ asked, looking at the girls. They nodded. "Alright then. We'll see you tomorrow."

Nick and Howie said goodbye and followed AJ out the door.

"Did you see Alisha?" Nick said. "She just as gorgeous as VJ."

"Someone has a crush," Howie teased.

"So what? I can't wait to see her again." Nick drifted off into a daydream.

They went back to their rooms and anxiously waited for the next morning. The girls were also on edge waiting. VJ hoped against hope that everything would work out.