Kate was awoken a few hours later by a knock at the door. She groaned and rolled over.

“Go away!” She shouted. She heard a chuckle for the other side of the door and knocked again.

“Kate, you gonna let me in or what?” It was Brian. She threw a pillow at the door.

“Come on Kate, please?” He said quietly. She sighed and rolled out of bed and went to the door.

“You better not be drunk.” She grumbled as she opened it.

Standing on the other side of the door was Brian in a pair of light jeans and a black t-shirt.

“So, can I help you with something?” Kate said as she put her hands on her hips. Brian chuckled and gently pushed his way in.

“I was just coming to see what you were up to.” He said. Kate rolled her eyes and shut the door.

“Well let’s see, it’s almost midnight so that would mean I was probably ASLEEP!” She shouted. Brian laughed and sat down on a bed.

“Oh so you’re saying I woke you up?” He asked. She said and crawled back into bed.

“Yeah.” He chuckled and moved to the edge of her bed.

“I thought you were going to a bar?” Kate asked. Brian nodded.

“I did, but then I got bored.” Kate yawned and nodded.

Brian chuckled and pulled the sheet up around Kate’s shoulders.

“Alright, I’ll leave you alone then.” He said standing up. Kate closed her eyes and buried her head in the pillow.

“You don’t have to.” She said sleepily. Brian smiled slightly and reached over and brushed her hair off her cheek.

“It’s okay. I’ll see you in the morning.” He said softly. She yawned and nodded, then rolled over.

“Goodnight Brian.” She said.

“Goodnight Kate.”

He watched her until she was asleep before leaving to go to his own room.

He took out his key and opened the door. For once, he was thankful that he had his own room. He sighed and took his shoes off and tossed them on the floor. He peeled off his shirt and jeans and layed down on his bed. He turned the tv on for a while then decided just to go to sleep.

That night, Brian had the worst nightmare of his life. In his dream, everything was dark. He could hear screaming somewhere behind him. He turned and ran in the direction of the screaming. After what seemed like hours he finally found the source. It was Kate. She was lying on the ground and she was covered in blood. He fell to his knees and touched her cheek. It was cold as ice. Then he heard laughing behind him. As he turned around he saw Scott standing there with a gun pointed at Brian’s head. Brian went to make a move but as soon as he did, Scott pulled the trigger.

“AH!” Brian screamed out loud. He bolted upright and put one hand on his head and the other over his racing heart.

He looked over at his nightstand and saw his phone was vibrating. It was Kate. He breathed a sigh of relief and picked up the phone.

“Hello?” He said.

“Hey, we’re heading down to breakfast are you coming or what?” She asked. He wiped his forehead and closed his eyes.

“Yeah give me a minute.” He said.

“Sure, knock on my door when you’re ready.”

Brian took a few deep breaths before getting out of bed. He pulled on a shirt and pants and put a beanie on before leaving the room. He walked down the hall to Kate’s room and lightly knocked on the door.

She opened the door with a smile, but the only thing Brian could see was her mangled body on the ground.

“Hey are you okay?” She asked him. He shook the image out of his head and nodded.

“Yeah why?” He asked. She shrugged and closed the door behind her.

“I don’t know, you look so pale.” He shrugged and they walked to the elevator.

“So how did you sleep?” He asked her. She smiled and leaned against the wall.

“Great. I forgot what it was like to sleep in a huge bed.” He smiled and closed his eyes.

“How was yours?” She asked him. He shrugged as an answer.

“Brian you don’t look so good. Are you sure you’re alright?” She asked him. He nodded and opened his eyes. She frowned and reached up and touched his forehead, then his cheeks.

“You feel a little warm.” She said. He caught her hand and held it.

“Kate I’m fine. I promise.” He said. She looked him in the eyes then sighed.

“Okay okay.” He smiled slightly and let go of her hand. Then the elevator doors opened.

The rest of the guys were already chowing down in a private room. When Brian walked in Zacky called him over.

“Dude how come you bailed last night?” Brian shrugged.

“I was tired.” Zacky shrugged and took a sip of coffee.

While everyone else was eating, Brian was just sitting there, barely drinking his coffee, staring into nothing. Kate kept her eye on him. She knew something was wrong but she couldn’t put her finger on it.

“Alright well let’s our stuff packed up so after the show we can just head home.” Matt said after they had eaten. They all nodded in agreement and went to their rooms to pack.

Once they were finished, they met in the back of the hotel by the bus.

Kate had changed into a pair of ripped up shorts and a black tank top and knotted her hair up on the top of her head. She threw her suitcase on the ground and leaned against the bus.

Zacky was leaning against the bus smoking a cigarette when Kate came out.

“It’s so hot!” She shouted. Zacky chuckled and took a drag of his cigarette.

“What, it wasn’t hot in New York?” He asked.

“Well yeah, but not this hot.” She said. He shrugged.

“You’ll get used to it.” Kate shrugged and played with a string on her shorts.

“Hey, did you notice something off about Brian today?” She asked him quietly. Zacky looked around then crouched down beside her.

“Yeah, it was like he just wasn’t there.” Kate nodded.

“I know. When I saw him he was really shaken up about something.” Brian shrugged.

“It’s probably nothing. He’s probably just anxious to get home.” Kate shrugged and stood up.

“Yeah, maybe.” Then she picked up her bag and dragged it on to the bus.

Zacky finished his cigarette and started to follow her when Brian came out of the hotel. He was wearing shorts and a white t-shirt and a bandana around his head. They nodded to each other and Brian got on the bus. Zacky followed and put his hand on Brian’s shoulder.

“You alright man?” He asked. Brian nodded and they walked in the bus.

He walked straight into the bunks and sunk onto his. Zacky followed him.

“Look man, I know something’s up.” He said, sitting down on Kate’s bed. Brian sighed.

“I had a nightmare last night.” He said quietly. Zacky nodded.

“About what?”He asked. Brian sighed and closed his eyes.

“I was in the dark and I heard screaming so I ran after it and I saw Kate. She was lying on the floor, covered in blood. I reached down to touch her and I heard laughing behind me. It was Scott. When I turned around, he was holding a gun to my head and he pulled the trigger.” Zacky shook his head.

“Damn, no wonder why you look so freaked out.” Brian nodded.

“I know it was just a dream but…” He trailed off. Zacky nodded with understanding and stood up.

“It’ll be fine man. Just relax. Have a drink or two.” He said, then he walked into the living room.

“Yeah, that’ll help.” Brian said to himself. Then he followed Zacky to the living room.

“Okay, so after the show the bus will drop us off at our homes.” Matt said with a smile.

Everyone was super excited to go home. Everyone, except Kate that is.

“So where does that leave me?” She asked. They all quieted down and looked at her.

“Do I go back to New York or do I rent out a hotel room?” She asked.

“You can stay with me.” Brian said. They all turned and looked at him.

“Are you sure?” She asked. He nodded.

“Yeah, I’m the only one with the extra room.” He said with a small smile. Kate smiled back then went into the bunks to get ready for the show. Brian followed her in.

“Thank you for letting me stay with you.” She said quietly. He nodded.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to go back to New York just yet.” He said just as quiet. She closed her eyes and nodded.

“Neither do I.” He nodded and went into the bathroom.

Kate took this opportunity to change her tank top into a white v-neck. When Brian came out, he was shirtless. Kate blushed and turned around. Brian smirked and walked behind her, brushing against her slightly. This made her blush harder.

“Sorry.” He said with that same smirk playing on his lips. She nodded and went to go into the bathroom.

Then the bus hit a bump, knocking Kate off balance. Brian reached out and caught her, right before she smacked her head off the corner of the bunk. They chuckled as Brian stood her upright. He kept one arm around her waist, and he brought the other up to her face and brushed a strand of hair back behind her ear. Kate blushed and looked away. Brian chuckled and slid his hand back down to her waist.

“You alright?” He asked with a sexy smirk on his face. Kate swallowed hard and nodded.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” She said quietly. Brian chuckled and let her go.

He turned around and picked a shirt up from his suitcase, and went back into the living room. Kate took a deep breath, then picked up her skinny jeans and went into the bathroom to change.

When the bus pulled into the venue, everyone was excited. Not just for the show but to go home after it. Kate had her camera in hand and was snapping photos of everything in sight. She didn’t want to forget anything about this show, since it could be her last.

As the guys went into their dressing room to get pumped for the show, they called Kate in with them. This was the first time she was invited to join in on this ritual. They all got into a huddle and started jumping and yelling and just being crazy. At the end of the huddle, they all took a shot of Jack then walked out of the room. Kate went into the pit and waited for the show to start.

Just as Kate imagined, the show was better than any she’d been to. Maybe it was because they were going home after but they just played great. Jimmy actually got all the lyrics he was supposed to sing and Johnny finally got some panties thrown to him. When it was over, Brian reached down and pulled Kate up and they ran backstage. He set his guitar down, then picked Kate up and spun her around.

“That was amazing!” He said. She giggled and nodded. When he set her down she just smiled and he went off to shower.

Janet chuckled as she put her makeup away. Kate hopped up on the counter beside her.

“What’s so funny?” She asked. Janet shrugged.

“Nothing.” She said with a small smile. Kate rolled her eyes.

“No, what is it?” She asked. Janet shrugged again.

“It’s just that I haven’t seen him like that in a while.” Kate wrinkled her eyebrows together and stared at her.

“What do you mean?” Janet tossed the rest of her stuff in the bag then turned to Kate.

“You know, so happy that he picks you up? He hasn’t been like that in a long time.” Kate made a ‘O’ shape with her mouth and Janet nodded.

“Yeah so it’s just nice.” Then she took a look around and smiled sadly.

“I’ll miss this.” She said. Kate jumped down.

“What do you mean?” Janet looked at her.

“This is my last show. I’m going back home for a while.” She said. Kate pouted.

“I’m gonna miss you!” She said, putting her arms around Janet. Janet hugged her back then pulled away.

“I’ll miss you too honey. Take care of the boys alright?” She said with tears in her eyes. Kate teared up too and nodded.

“I will.” Then Janet took a deep breath and picked up her bags and walked out of the venue.

Kate just stood there for a minute, taking everything in.

What if this was her last show too? The guys didn’t mention her coming along on the next tour. Before she could think about it anymore, Brian was walking up to her. All showered and in fresh clothes.

“Are you ready?” He asked. She took a deep breath and nodded.

“Yeah, let’s go.” She said.

“Yeah, let’s go home.” Brian said. Kate smiled.

Something about the way Brian said ‘home’ made her feel something she hasn’t really felt in a long time. Safe.