Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2003 06:07:46 +0000 From: N D Subject: nick and ashley/all i need is you 24 DISCLAIMER: O-town, Backstreet Boys and N'Sync are all bands that I don't know. I am not implying anything here. This is strictly created in my fantasies. I wish it was actually happening but I highly doubt it. I am in no way affiliated with any of their records companies and anything to do with these bands. If homosexual content is illegal for you to read or you don't like it then please leave. The only thing I have remotely in common with these guys is that Ashley Parker Angel and I were born on the same exact day-August 1, 1981. FIRST THINGS FIRST: Well, one more chapter before another wedding chapter...pretty crazy that 24 chapters ago Dan and Devon got engaged the night of Nick and Ashley's wedding, but the day has come to get them hitched. They deserve it anyway I think. They've always been one of my favorite couples. This chapter goes out to Reese5612, who has continually emailed me lately and kept up with the story. I wanna thank him for the excellent conversation and the endless support. This one is for him. If anyone wants to talk I'm always in the Niftywriters chat room...usually around nighttime...like 10pm. Stop in and see everyone! WEBSITES THAT HOST MY STORIES http://jcv.5u.com/all/worldofslash/ (Jayson's place) http://www.armands-place.d2gwebsite.com (Armand's place) Pytn18@hotmail.com for suggestions and comments. Check out my other stories: -Timmy's Love (High school directory) -Rival Hearts (this directory) -Finding Support In Each Other (Young friends directory) Welcome back to the Nick and Ashley saga... RIP JustinCase RIP All I Need Is You-Chapter Twenty-Four Erik turned around and started walking. He felt such a mixture of hate and distress that he felt as if he was going to puke. He began to run. It was as if he was running away from something. He barely knew this man, he had actually only met him once but he felt connected to him somehow. He had to do something about this. He ran so hard that his lungs began to hurt and he had to stop. He doubled over in pain and then felt a drop on the back of his head. Then he felt another, and another. For the first time in a while it was raining in Orlando. It felt cool and refreshing against Erik's shaved head. He stood there on the street just letting the rain hit him. He was getting soaking wet but he didn't care. It was almost pushing him to his destination. His legs began to move again, one in front of the other. Erik was pretty sure he had never felt this alive before and he loved it. He continued to walk until he stood in front of a very large building, where many decisions are made. The building read "City Hall." Erik pushed his way through the large wooden doors and stepped inside. He took off his wet jean jacket that he was wearing as he walked towards the counter and threw it in a large blue bin. It was labeled "Salvation Army." He made his way to the counter and was greeted by a woman smiling. "Can I help you with something sir?" She asked "How do I start a new foundation?" Erik asked with determined eyes. It was as if he was on a mission. "You can do that right here. It's a bit of a hassle and a lot of paperwork just to warn you." She said. "All good things are a hassle." Erik said "Ok then, well fill out all of this paperwork and bring it back with the 1,000 dollar starting deposit and we can get everything started." She said handing him all the paperwork. Erik shook his head. He never realized how often in life money was used until now. "I'll get this back to you as quickly as I can." Erik said as he grabbed the papers. "I just need to mark down what this foundation is going to be about." She said. Erik paused and looked up with a small smile. "Homelessness." He said. The rain continued to fall throughout Florida. It was like it came out of nowhere and wouldn't stop. It wouldn't even let up a little. It was just a constant downpour that was never-ending. Through the rain, lights shone through. A car pulled up to the O-town house, a Durango to be exact. Nick got out of the driver's seat after shutting off the car and opened an umbrella. He then walked around to the passenger side and opened the door holding the umbrella over the door. Ashley stepped down out of the car with little Randy in his hands all bundled up in a blanket to avoid getting a cold in the rain at such a young age. That was the last thing this young couple needed right now. They had already been through enough in their early years. They were ready to just relax and be good parents now. Johnny reached his hands out from the back seat and Nick helped him down to the ground. He pulled up his hood to go over his head and then grabbed his dad's hand and walked with the rest of his family toward the door. "I got it." Dan said as he heard the doorbell ring. He jumped off the couch and ran to the door. He opened it and looked at the sight before him. Nick and Ashley standing close together, Randy bundled in Ashley's arms with Johnny clinging tight to his father with his hooded sweatshirt on. 'I can only wish that one day I look like this.' Dan thought to himself as he invited the family in. Dan had been thinking a lot lately. It was understandable of course seeing as his wedding was tomorrow. He wasn't having cold feet at all. He knew he loved Devon with every single part of his body and he was totally ready to become one with someone he knew was his soulmate but he had been thinking a lot. Nick and Ashley had gone through a lot to get this far. He was afraid that he and Devon would also have to struggle. Then of course there was always that thing about keeping your life in private. He looked over to the other couch and saw Erik and Mandy. That was a couple that wouldn't have to worry about any of this. They could run hand in hand through the streets and people would praise them. It just wasn't fair. He looked back to Nick and Ashley again, a pillar of strength. He remembered that that was all that mattered, being there for each other. Everything else would fall into place. It always had. "You ok bud?" Ashley said as he put his hand on Dan's shoulder, breaking him out of his trance. "Huh? Oh yeah." Dan said "You were daydreaming there for a second." Ashley said. "Oh sorry. I guess I'm just thinking a lot about tomorrow." Dan said with a sigh. "That's why we're here remember?" Ashley said. Instead of a rehearsal dinner Dan and Devon decided that they would just make dinner for their closest friends and spend the night with them just reminiscing about the good times. Besides, they were too nervous to do anything else. "I know, thanks a lot for coming Ash. You know I could have never done this without you." Dan said. "You deserve this Danny. More than anyone I know." Ashley said as he pulled his friend into a hug. It meant a lot to both of them and that's all it took to remind them of their friendship. "Alright you two before you make me cry let's go see if Devon needs any help in the kitchen." Brian said as he grabbed both of them and dragged them over. Devon was in the kitchen with Angela Miller, Dan's mother, working on the last finishing touches of the meals. They decided to do a buffet style dinner and had some of it catered but cooked about half of it. Everything smelled fantastic as Dan, Ashley and Brian walked into the kitchen. "Well at least I'm marrying someone who can cook." Dan said as a joke. "Well I tried to teach you but you were just so stubborn as a kid." Angela said as she slapped Dan on the shoulder. "Ouch. Sorry mom. So where did you learn all this babe?" Dan asked his fiancée. "On the road. Not all of us had a tv show following us around with 4 other guys providing us food." Devon said with a smile. "Yeah but even if I was by myself I would have just ordered in every night." Dan said. "Yeah well I gotta keep up my girlish figure." Devon said as a joke. "Oh I think we all saw enough of your girlish figure the other night." Ashley said cracking up now. "What was that?" Angela asked. "Nothing mom." Dan said as he exited the kitchen quickly. Devon just smiled and laughed under his breath, continuing to chop up some carrots for the salad. "Hey everyone." Trevor yelled out as he opened the door and then held it open for his boyfriend. Lance came in on crutches, his broken leg from the incident with the stairs in a cast. He gave a small wave to everyone and then sat down and with Trevor's help put his leg up on the other end of the couch to elevate it. "How's that leg Lance?" Ashley asked. "As far as I know it's still in there." Lance said "Good to hear." Brian said as he came over and sat down. "How was the movie?" Ashley asked them. "It was great. We saw 2 Fast 2 Furious. It was so hot." Trevor said. "It was just good to get out and spend some time together." Lance said. Trevor looked over and smile at him. He leaned in and gave him a small kiss to notice what he was saying. It was quite a mix of people here tonight but they all meant something to the engaged couple. After the previous tours and years in the business everyone was still friends though. It didn't matter either way because this wasn't about them and they knew it. This was about Dan and Devon. Dan sat on one couch next to Ashley and Brian, while Trevor and Lance took the loveseat. LeighAnn had gone into the kitchen to help Devon and Angela. Nick came in with Cody and Johnny and rounded them both up on the floor to play together and then sat down in between Ashley's legs on the floor with his back to the couch. Erik was sitting on a chair, with Mandy on his lap, exchanging glances, lovetaps and smiles. Finally, AJ and Jacob sat at the table just holding hands and talking a bit, waiting for the meal to be served. "So Erik, what's this new foundation I hear you're starting?" Nick asked. "Just a small something I wanted to start to aid in the fight against homelessness." Erik said. "That's a pretty noble thing to do. Is that a passion of yours?" Nick asked "It is now." He said with a smile "Tell me if you need any help. I know a few people in the charity business. I could give you a few contacts to get it off the ground." Nick said. "That'd be great. We'll talk afterward." Erik said. "Sounds good." Nick said. Dan looked around at his friends. This was his life. Usually, Dan was the one that was helping everyone with their problems. He looked at Erik, who had looked to him advice most recently on this new homelessness kick he'd been in but also when he first started with Mandy. He saw Jacob, who had found a rock of support in AJ but had needed a simple hug from him from time to time to show that he's still a part of this group and an important part for that matter. He saw Trevor who had always wondered where he stood in this world and came to Dan to ask him if being with Lance at first was a good idea. In fact, he wondered if being homosexual was a good idea. Dan remembered helping him through this tough time and then also through the hard situation with his amnesia. Then he saw Ashley. Truly, his best friend in life. He watched Nick put his new baby son Randy in Ashley's arms and hold him while he slept. It was so beautiful. It wasn't always this easy for them though. Flashes of memories went through Dan's head as he saw his friend. "Knock, Knock." Dan said while opening the door slightly to see if it was cool to come in. "Come on in Dan. It's cool." Ashley answers his unspoken question. Dan was dressed solely in red boxers and a black tank top obviously ready for bed. "How are you doin' buddy?" Dan asks "I've definitely been better." Ashley responds. "Ya know I wonder sometimes whether it's worth putting myself through this all the time. I mean, my parents don't even support me. My dad turns off the TV if he sees me. It's tough to continue doing something when you have no support from your family." Dan came over and sat on the bed. "Ash, you know you got 4 brothers right here for you." "Thanks Dan. I really appreciate it." Ashley says as a genuine smile came to his face. All that seemed so long ago. Another memory came into his head of when Dan first met Devon in the gym and then later that night went out to dinner with him and all of his friends. He was so excited after Devon kissed him and went downstairs and found Ashley there waiting for him, waiting to share in his excitement. Then there was the time Ashley told him that he cheated on Nick, before any of this stuff with Randy happened. Ashley had betrayed Nick's trust with Matt and looked to Dan for help. Dan watched in his memory as he saw Ashley standing out over the cliff contemplating life or death. He spoke to his friend that night and fetched Nick for help. It was scary but a turning point in his life and their relationship. Dan saw all of this when he looked at his friend's blue eyes and he knew that Ashley saw the same in him. Yes, this was Dan's life but for once it was going to be different. This time the focus was on him. He wasn't sure that he liked that. He liked helping other people and supporting them, but as he looked around the room he saw people in support of him. They were in a way returning the favor and sharing the good times together. It wasn't cold feet that Dan was feeling, just a bit of nostalgia. He watched as Devon walked in the room and announced that dinner was ready and served. This time tomorrow that man was going to be his husband. It brought a smile to Dan's face that he couldn't remove. He was going to start a new part of his life and everyone was there to share it with him. "Hey space cadet, everything alright?" Ashley asked breaking Dan out of his trance. Dan looked up at his friend and best man. "Yeah Ash, everything is awesome." Dan said as he got up and headed to the dinner table. The rain continued to pour throughout Orlando. It was heavier than it had been in a long time. It felt like a sheet of water hitting you. It didn't matter to a certain figure though. He had his hood pulled up over his head as he leaned against a tree. The rain covered him but he didn't care. His life had taken a drastic turn for the worse lately and nothing seemed to matter. Josh Turner, O-town choreographer and ex-boyfriend of JC Chasez, stood outside the Nsync recording studio just staring at the building. He watched as they filed into the building, the last one Lance in crutched. They were about to try and make another push for an album that would put them at the top again. Josh saw other plans for the pop group, though. "I'm sorry for what I'm about to do JC." Josh said. TO BE CONTINUED... <<<>>> ---ND---